2026 Water For People Charlotte 5K & Virtual 5K

Water For People is a non-profit organization that works in Latin America, East Africa, and India to ensure that every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services. This event provides a great opportunity to connect with athletic and like-minded individuals both in and out of the water and wastewater industry. The McAlpine Creek Cross Country Course is a mostly flat  and partially shaded course, making this a perfect race for beginners and experienced runners alike. Runners, joggers, walkers, rollers, pets, and strollers are all welcome!

Virtual 5k

We will be offering a virtual Water For People 5K option for those who might want to participate from out of state or those that cannot attend the race in person. Virtual runners can participate from anywhere! To register, please select "Virtual 5K" above.

The North Carolina Water For People 5Ks are a growing tradition! Use the links below to view North Carolina Water For People 5K Photos from years past. 

• 2025
  • Charlotte
  • Raleigh
•  2024
  • Charlotte
  • Raleigh
•  2023
  • Charlotte
  • Raleigh
• 2022
  • Charlotte
  • Raleigh
• 2021
  • Charlotte
  • Raleigh - no photos available
• 2020
  • Charlotte - no photos available
  • Raleigh - no photos available
•  2019
  • Charlotte 5K
  • Raleigh 5K
• 2018
  • Charlotte 5K
  • Raleigh 5K
• 2017
  • Charlotte 5K - no photos available
  • Raleigh 5K - no photos available
• 2016
  • Charlotte 5K
  • Raleigh 5K
• 2015
  • Charlotte - no photos available
  • Raleigh

T-Shirts

If you register by Friday, April 11th, we will have your t-shirt ready at the packet pickup event. Participants who register after this date are not guaranteed a t-shirt. For the Charlotte In-Person race, some t-shirts will be available for purchase the morning of the race if you missed the t-shirt registration deadline, however, day-of t-shirt availability is not guaranteed. 

If you are running the virtual 5K, your t-shirt will be shipped to the address you provide during registration. 

Bibs

For the In-person Charlotte 5K, there will be both timed non-timed bibs. For those interested in winning a prize based on their 5K run time, timed bibs are needed. 

1. Timed Bibs will contain a micro-chip that will automatically track your run time. These bibs are needed for you to quality for a time-based prize. 
2. Non-timed Bibs will simply be the paper bib, no micro-chip. 

For virtual runners, bibs will be emailed to participants to be printed at home. In order for virtual participants to compete against other virtual runners, run times will need to be tracked on a tracking app and submitted to the website on the 'Results' page. 

A virtual 5K leaves the location and the time of day up to the runner/walker. This means you can participate from anywhere across the state of North Carolina and BEYOND! Maps of suggested running locations across the state are included as a PDF below.  

IMPORTANT PACKET PICKUP UPDATES - SEE BELOW FOR NEW STORE LOCATIONS

PACKET PICKUP: Thus-Fri,  April 23rd - 24th, 5 - 7 pm - Charlotte Running Company (details below)

• 5 - 7 pm, Friday, April 24th, Charlotte Running Co. - Promenade: 5355 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy #200, Charlotte, NC 28277
• 5 - 7 pm, Thursday, April 23rd,  Charlotte Running Co. Dilworth location: 1412 East Blvd, Suite G Charlotte, NC 28203
   
• Come grab your race bib and t-shirt at our table. 
• Extra-T-shirts will also be sold for $15/each. 

RACE DAY: Saturday, April 25th - McAlpine Creek Park, 8711 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212

• 8:00 am - Day-of registration opens for those not yet registered. Packets (race bibs) can also be picked up if you missed the Packet Pick-Up Events. 
• 8:30 am - Day-of registration closes. 
• 9:00 am - Race starts!
• 9:50 am - Race awards for fastest male and female in each age bracket are announced.

• Parking: The map below shows the race start/finish line and the nearest parking lots. Volunteers will be stationed at the entrances to the park directing traffic. 
• Bathrooms: there will be portable bathrooms facilities near the start/finish line. There are also bathroom facilities near the parking lot.  
• Day-of Registration: will be located at the covered pavilion. 
• Medic: Volunteer firefighters will be on site to address minor medical issues should they occur during the race. 
• Food & Water: snacks and water will be provided to race participants. Stop by the Charlotte Water Wagon for a cool drink!  
• Pets: leashed four-legged friends are welcome to join the 5K.

McAlpine Creek Park's 5K course is dynamic, challenging, and scenic. The course is packed gravel and is open to the public, so be weary of pedestrians and cyclists. 

Join your fellow philanthropists, water lovers, and athletic and community minded neighbors, for a fun run and a good cause. The fastest male and female runners in each age bracket will receive a gift card from Charlotte Running Co.! The biggest team and fastest team will compete for bragging rights like in years past, and will each receive a plaque to hang on their wall. 

Age Groups (M&F): 13 and under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+

It is a Water For People 5K tradition that the largest team  and the fastest teams each are awarded a plaque for a full year of bragging rights that they can hang on their wall.

Teams must consist of at least 5 people to compete for these awards. Team times will be takes as the total of the 5 fastest runners in each team.

Click on the Teams tab to create or join an existing group.