RRRC Thanks Dad 5K 2026

The Richmond Road Runners Club is excited to invite you to participate in our annual Thanks Dad 5K race, designed as a Father's Day run to celebrate the special relationship between fathers, grandfathers, and their sons/daughters and grandsons/granddaughters.

The Thanks Dad 5K was created in memory of Pete Neal, a dedicated volunteer, and coordinator for our club. Pete had a deep love for athletics, which he passed on to his daughter Rebekah and son Jacob. Pete and Jacob set out to run a marathon in each of the 50 states, despite severe medical issues. They completed 21 marathons in 18 states before Pete's untimely death in August 2014.

We have organized this race to celebrate the special bond between fathers and their children in honor of Pete's legacy and his commitment to running. We encourage families to join and participate in this event to make lasting memories.

This year's Thanks Dad 5K promises to be an exciting event featuring a scenic course and a fun atmosphere. We invite you to join us and celebrate the special relationship between fathers and their children. So sign up today and be a part of this memorable event!

The Thanks Dad 5k is an annual Richmond Road Runners Club event that, for 2026, will offer both an in-person and a virtual option for running or walking.

The in-person Thanks Dad 5K will be on Sunday, June 21st (Father's Day). The race starts and finishes at the Urban Farmhouse in The Millworks in Midlothian. 

The Virtual Thanks Dad 5K will allow you to run when, where, and with whom you please on Sunday, June 21st (Father's Day). You may post your results between Friday, June 19, and Monday, June 22. 

Both events are RRRC Grand Prix (GP) events for 2026. RRRC GP participants receive a race point for posting a time for either event. In addition, RRRC GP participants in the in-person race will receive place points based on overall and/or age group finish times.  

In Person Race Day: Sunday June 21st

Packet Pickup: Saturday June 20th - Lucky Road Midlothian

Register by June 1st to receive a race shirt.

NOTE: Details provided about packet pick-up and race day activities are tentative and subject to change. Registered participants will receive updated information a few days before the race.

Richmond Road Runners Club's mission is to support running and healthy lifestyles in the Richmond Region. We do this by sponsoring races in our area, helping other organizations put on races, coaching training teams, supporting kids' running programs, supporting a variety of group runs and awarding academic scholarships to college-bound runner athletes.

RRRC is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that sponsors nearly 20 races each year with distances ranging from 3 miles to half marathon. Club members are runners or those looking to become runners, who are of all paces, ages and shapes. With approximately 2,000 members, RRRC is one of the largest running clubs in the United States. 

Check out our website. 

Become a member.

We rely on our wonderful volunteers to help make our race experiences both enjoyable and successful. Please consider lending a hand at this event and enjoying a race from the other side!

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

If you have questions about your volunteer assignment or need to cancel your participation, please contact us at volunteer@rrrc.org immediately. 

For this year's Thanks Dad 5K, you can register as part of a team or as an individual runner. There is also a virtual individual option!

Teams:

• All teams must have at least one registered adult (age 21 or older) team member.
• There will be awards for the top team finishers: first parent/son, first parent/daughter, first parent/multiple children

Individual Runners:

• Individual runners will compete only with other individual runners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male overall and female overall, as well as for place in standard age groups.

Runners must be 5 years old or older to participate in this 5K road race.

Registration Fees

In-person Monday, March 17th through Saturday, March 28th at 11:59pm

• Individual: $15.00 for RRRC members; $20.00 for non-members; plus processing fee
• Team Member: $15.00 for RRRC members; $20.00 for non-members; plus processing fee
• Youth Pricing: for all runners 5-12 years of age, the price is $5 plus processing fee for any category

In-person Sunday, March 29th through until Sunday, June 15th @ 7:59 AM

• Individual: $20.00 for RRRC members; $25.00 for non-members; plus processing fee
• Team Member: $20.00 for RRRC members; $25.00 for non-members; plus processing fee
• Youth Pricing: for all runners 5-12 years of age, the price is $5 plus processing fee for any category

Virtual Race registration Monday, March 17th through Saturday, March 28th at 11:59pm

• Individual: $10.00 for RRRC members; $15.00 for non-members; plus processing fee

Virtual Race registration Sunday, March 29th through Sunday, June 15th at 11:59pm

• Individual: $15.00 for RRRC members; $20.00 for non-members; plus processing fee

Refund Policy

Registrants for the in-person Thanks Dad 5K may transfer to the virtual Thanks Dad 5K at no-cost through Saturday, June 14, 2025. To request a transfer to the virtual race, log into your RunSignup account, find Thanks Dad 5K under your Upcoming Races, and click "Manage Registration." 

If the in-person Thanks Dad 5K must be cancelled, there will be no refunds. All registered runners will be transferred to the virtual Thanks Dad 5K.

There are no refund options for registrants for the virtual Thanks Dad 5K.

All entry fees and processing fees are non-transferable. Registrations cannot be deferred to a later race. Bib numbers are not transferrable. In the event of postponements or cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, there will be no refunds.

During registration, click "Create New Team" and select your team name. Password is optional.

Your teammate(s) can register during the same transaction or in a separate transaction. If registering in a separate transaction, they click "Join an Existing Team." Make sure that they know your team's name (and the password if you opted to set one).

Race Shirts (in-person and virtual races)

• Race shirts are guaranteed to runners who register before May 20 at 11:59 PM, but we can’t guarantee that you will get the perfect size, color or fit of shirt.
• A runner who registers after May 20 will not get a shirt at packet pick up. You may be able to get an unclaimed race shirt after the conclusion of the in-person race, while the supply of different size shirts lasts.
• Registrants for the virtual 5K may pick up their race shirts at packet pick up on Saturday, June 14 or may pay to have their shirt mailed to them.

Awards, sponsored by Lucky Road Run Shop (in-person race only)

• There will be awards for top finishers: first, second and third place male and female overall; and top masters male and female.
• There will be awards for the top team finishers: first parent/son, first parent/daughter, first parent/multiple children
• All awards will be based on chip time.
• There will be random giveaways drawn
• There will an awards ceremony after the event.

There will be post-race refreshments.

The Kids Run (for children ages 2-10) is at 9:00 AM in the parking area of the Mill Works at the Green. The Kids Run is FREE, but all participants must be registered. The distance will be no greater than ¼ mile, and fathers and grandfathers may run with their children/grandchildren. All children finishing the run will receive a finisher's medal.

Packet pickup will be on:

• Saturday June 20, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM @ Lucky Road Run Midlothian, 6101 Harbourside Centre Loop, Midlothian, VA 23112

• Sunday June 21, 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM @ Urban Farmhouse Market & Café 

You also have the option to purchase shipping for your shirt. Use manage your race registration from the race in your RunSignup profile and select Add On. The deadline for adding on shipping is Tuesday, June 10. 

The 5K (3.1 miles) race starts at 8:00 AM at The Urban Farmhouse Market & Café at 13872 Coalfield Commons Place, next to the Midlothian Library in the MillWorks at the Green. The course is rolling, following public roads through neighboring subdivisions and parts of Midlothian Mines Park and returning on North Woolridge Road to The Urban Farmhouse. There will be one water stop near the mid-point of the race.

This is a road race conducted under the rules of USATF and RRCA. In consideration of the safety of all participants, the following are not allowed on the course during the race: baby joggers, baby strollers, animals, skateboards, inline or roller skates, and bicycles. The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged at this race. To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, RRRC encourages a headphone-free environment during the running of the Thanks Dad 5K.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU NEED TO BE ALERT FOR TRAFFIC. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SAFETY. BE ALERT, WATCH FOR TRAFFIC AND PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR FELLOW RUNNERS, COURSE MARSHALS, AND POLICE. 

Allison May