To many Americans, the word “racing” evokes images of sleek roadsters and sleeker Thoroughbreds. And with two of the nation’s most celebrated races taking place this month in the equine-powered Kentucky Derby and the turbine-powered Indianapolis 500, there’s no better time to profile 10 running events that feature horse or auto racing tracks. Ladies and gentlemen, start your Garmins!
Daytona Beach Half Marathon & 5K – Daytona Beach, FL
(Feb; Half marathon, half marathon relay, 5K)
Home to the Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway aka the “World Center of Racing” is the celebrated centerpiece of this race day for runners. All races start with 2½ miles on the high-banked tri-oval track that hosts NASCAR’s signature event. Half marathoners then enjoy a sunrise tour of Daytona Beach starring Bethune-Cookman University, Jackie Robinson Ballpark, and the Riverfront Esplanade before a triumphant finish at Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA. Organizers promise an event that’s “cooler than Dale Jr. in sunglasses, sipping an Orange Breeze Mocktail in a Corvette, while listening to Kenny G.” And runners looking to escape the cold can “bank” on Central Florida’s mild winter weather.
INDY 5K at Barber Motorsports Park – Birmingham, AL
(Mar; 5K)
Held in conjunction with the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, the INDY 5K delivers fast-paced fun for all ages. Run entirely on the 17-turn, 2.4-mile circuit at the world-class Barber Motorsports Park, the USATF Certified 5K course showcases the park’s immaculate grounds, lush landscaping, and eclectic array of outdoor sculptures. Registration includes a race shirt, finisher medal, and Friday general admission to the Indy Grand Prix. And true enthusiasts will relish a visit to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of motorcycles. Birmingham’s family-friendly weekend of motorsports fandom is a high-octane getaway for runners and gearheads alike.
Spa-Francorchamps Run – Stavelot, Belgium
(Mar; Marathon, half marathon, 14K, 7K)
Hosting 7,000 runners from 30+ nations in 2026, the Spa-Francorchamps Run takes place on the 102-year-old Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, home to the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix. Marathoners complete six laps of the historic 7K course while half marathoners complete three. But if the words “Formula One” bring to mind miles of speedy running over flat terrain, think again—Spa-Francorchamps is among the most challenging tracks in the world, with 102 meters (335 feet) of elevation gain per lap including the infamous climb up Raidillon de l’Eau Rouge. And given the event’s traditional early March time slot, runners can expect wintry surprises on a circuit notorious for its unpredictable weather.
Kentucky Derby Festival mini & Marathon – Louisville, KY
(Apr; Marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, 5K)
When it comes to the state’s premier event, Louisville doesn’t horse around. The Marathon is one of more than 70 events attended by 1.5+ million people as part of the city’s weeks-long Kentucky Derby Festival, culminating in the Run for the Roses. Race day starts and finishes in Downtown Louisville and features a visit to the Historic Old Louisville district. But the hands-down highlight arrives in mile 9 with a lap inside the gates of the legendary Churchill Downs racetrack, accompanied by the broadcast sounds of past Derby calls. Here, insider views of the dirt track and iconic twin spires atop the grandstands provide a unique perspective and appreciation for “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
Long Beach Grand Prix 5K – Long Beach, CA
(Apr; 5K)
Now entering its 9th year, the Long Beach Grand Prix 5K sets the stage for its prestigious namesake event. Welcoming an estimated 185,000 spectators annually, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is a three-day, family-focused festival that features six world-class IndyCar racing events on the streets of Downtown Long Beach. Led out of the blocks by a pace car, 5K runners follow a two-lap course that largely overlaps the IndyCar street circuit with a finish line located at the official site of the Grand Prix start/finish. Besides the thrill of “running the course,” participants receive an impressive array of swag including a t-shirt, finisher medal, and complimentary general admission tickets to the Grand Prix.
Prove It 5K & 10K – Milford, MI
(Apr, 10K, 5K)
What list of auto racing anything would be complete without a nod to the Motor City? Located in Milford on the outskirts of Metro Detroit, the General Motors Proving Ground is the venue for this unique entry in the Trivium Racing Michigan Mega Medal Series. Normally reserved for testing new automotive technologies and industry protoypes, GM’s rolling track also serves as an admirable proving ground for runners, with Double Race bonus swag available to track stars who complete the 10K and 5K in close succession. Think you’ve got what it takes to set a PR on their challenging, USATF Certified loop course? The folks at Trivium invite you—in no uncertain terms—to step up and Prove It.
Santa Anita Derby Day 5K – Arcadia, CA 🏆
(Apr; 5K)
From its start line in an authentic starting gate to its finish on one of the world’s most beautiful racetracks, there’s good reason the Santa Anita Derby Day 5K is a Golden State favorite and a Top Rated event on RaceRaves. Starting outside Santa Anita Park just east of Pasadena, the scenic course winds through the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden before finishing on the Park’s dirt track in the hoofsteps of Thoroughbred legends. With perks like post-race access to the Santa Anita Spring Carnival and complimentary beer garden (21+), plus free admission to the annual Derby Day horse races later in the day, you’ll appreciate why Santa Anita Park claims the title of “The Great Race Place.”
IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon (Indy Mini) – Indianapolis, IN
(May; Half marathon, 5K)
Ask Indiana runners “Hoosier favorite half marathon?” and the consensus is clear: it’s the Indy Mini. Annually one of the nation’s largest half marathons, the Indy Mini garners praise as a “fantastic race” and “always a good time” thanks to race production that consistently fires on all cylinders. The event lives up to and embraces its billing as “The Greatest Spectacle in Running” with on-course entertainment ranging from rock bands to school spirit squads to cloggers. And as part of the city’s 500 Festival, the hands-down (and face-down) highlight of the course is a 2½-mile lap around the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the opportunity for runners to “kiss the bricks” like an Indy 500 winner.
Goodyear Half Marathon & 10K – Akron, OH
(Aug; Half marathon, 10K)
Rubber City meets the road at the Goodyear Half Marathon & 10K, the second of three annual events in the Akron Marathon Race Series. Under the watchful eye of the world-famous Goodyear Blimp, both distances start with a mile on the test track at the Goodyear Proving Grounds, a spectator-friendly facility that’s closed to the public year-round. With its generous 3½-hour time limit, the 13.1-mile course welcomes runners and walkers alike on a rolling tour of Akron neighborhoods before coming full circle to finish at Goodyear Global Headquarters. An early start time helps to beat the summer heat, while all finishers can cool their engines and refuel with burgers, beer or soda, and ice cream.
Monza Half Marathon – Monza, Italy
(Oct; 30K, half marathon, 10K, 5K)
Celebrated globally as the “Temple of Speed,” the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is officially the fastest Formula One track in the world. In fact, Monza was chosen as the venue for the 2017 Nike Breaking2 event starring Eliud Kipchoge. For Monza Half participants, each distance starts with a circuit of the 5.8K modern Grand Prix track; each of the three longer distances also incorporates a section of the 4.25K banked oval. In between, half marathon and 30K runners wind through the wooded trails of the surrounding Parco di Monza before returning for an epic finish on the track. Blending Italian motorsports history and crisp autumn weather in an urban oasis, the Monza Half is a destinazione sensazionale.
Other Running Events on Racetracks
5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track (St. Petersburg, FL; Feb)
Enzo Ferrari Memorial Half Marathon (Maranello MO, Italy; Mar)
Speedway 5000 Nashville Superspeedway (Lebanon, TN; May)
Run Daytona Racing Weekend (Daytona Beach, FL; Sep)
Historic Hillsborough Half (Hillsborough, NC; Oct)
Sheriff Chad Chronister’s Ultimate Run (Tampa, FL; Nov)
Silverstone Run Fest (Towcester, UK; Nov)
Looking for more running events? Search for races by state/city or month, and try our handy Find a Race tool to search for events by name, date range, distance, location, terrain & more. Then sign up for a free account to build your wish list and start coloring in your 50 States Map!
Author: Mike Sohaskey
Mike Sohaskey is the co-founder of RaceRaves, the premier online reviews community for runners to share their race experiences and find their next challenge. Mike honed his creative and critical thinking skills as a research scientist, earning a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Stanford. He’s completed over 120 races—including 60+ marathons and ultras plus the original six Abbott World Marathon Majors—on all seven continents, in locations ranging from Antarctica to Zimbabwe.
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