The Parklands & WLKY 5k
This race is part of the River City Races Run the 502 series. Run six races on our calendar and get a Run the 502 Finisher Medal with charms of all the races finished. Click here to register for the Run the 502.
Lace up your running shoes and join us for a fun, family-friendly event that supports a great cause! The Parklands & WLKY 5K helps fund the annual maintenance and operations of The Parklands, a visitor-and-donor supported public park system that receives no tax dollars for annual operations. Your registration ensures the park remains safe, clean, fun, and beautiful—365 days a year, for free.
The 5K will begin at 8:30 AM on Saturday, June 6th, in Beckley Creek Park. This 3.1-mile walk/run features a course that combines road sections with the scenic Louisville Loop trail. Both in-person and virtual options are available, and each participant will receive a race medal and a 2026 t-shirt.
The Parklands & WLKY 5K supports the annual maintenance and operations of The Parklands of Floyds Fork. The Parklands is one of the largest visitor-and-donor supported public park systems in the country and receives no tax dollars for annual operations. Open 365 days a year at no charge to visitors, it is one of the region's most popular destinations and has nearly 4 million visits each year. The Parklands features over 60 miles of trails for hiking and biking—including a mountain bike park and a 19-mile, ADA-certified, multi-use paved trail that spans the length of the park—and 22 miles of paddling trail along Floyds Fork. Help us continue providing safe, clean, fun, and beautiful park experiences by registering for the Parklands & WLKY 5K today!
For those participants who sign up for the Virtual 5K, you will be able to complete the race at any time and any place. Please submit your results on the registration website from Friday June 5th through Monday June 8th.
Race entry includes:
- Short sleeve tech race shirt
- Finisher medal
- Free race photography
- Post race refreshments
The Parklands & WLKY 5K is on Saturday, June 6th. This 3.1-mile run/walk will start and finish at the Egg Lawn at Beckley Creek Park. Runners and walkers will go out on the road, then return partly on the Louisville Loop. The race will start at 8:30 am.
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
- $29.07 Now registering Nov 12 – Mar 7 Register for 5k
- $34.46 Mar 8 – Mar 30
- $39.85 Mar 31 – May 16
- $45.25 May 17 – Jun 1
- $50.64 Jun 2 – Jun 5
- $56.03 Jun 5 – Jun 6
A virtual race can be completed on your own, at your own location. You will then be able to submit your virtual results from Thursday, June 5th until midnight, Sunday, June 8th. On Monday, June 9th you'll be able to download your Finisher Certificate and see your rankings. Instructions on how to submit your time will be sent Wednesday, June 4th.
- $29.07 Now registering Nov 12 – Mar 7 Register for Virtual 5k
- $34.46 Mar 8 – Mar 30
- $39.85 Mar 31 – May 16
- $45.25 May 17 – Jun 1
- $50.64 Jun 2 – Jun 5
- $56.03 Jun 5 – Jun 6
Course Map
Race Shirt
Moisture wicking shirt with a cottony feel is just one of the many perks when you register for The Parklands & WLKY 5k on Saturday, June 6th. Finisher medal and free finisher photography too!
Finisher Medal
All finisher's in the 5k will receive a 2026 Parklands & WLKY 5k finisher medal
Awards
For participants in the 5K, awards to the top 3 male & female overall and top 3 male & female in the following age groups: 9 & Under, 10-14, 15 - 19, 20 - 24, 25 - 29, 30 - 34, 35 - 39, 40 - 44, 45 - 49, 50 - 54, 55 - 59, 60 - 64, 65 - 69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & over.
Packet Pickup
Packet pickup will be on Friday 6/5/2026, from 11 am - 6:00 pm at the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Pavilion in Beckley Creek Park - 1401 Beckley Creek Parkway, Louisville, KY 40245. You may also pick up your packet the morning of the race at the same location beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Race Day Parking/Arrival
Once you arrive at Beckley Creek Park, please park in one of the parking areas around the Creekside Center. Once those spots fill up, participants will be directed to the overflow parking lot just north of Interstate 64 off of S. Beckley Station Road and Beckley Creek Parkway. Signs will be in place and traffic will be directed to the overflow lot. We recommend carpooling, and please come early and give yourself plenty of time to get into the park.
Timing/Bibs
The 5K will be chip timed using a disposable timing chip adhered to the back of your race bib, which contains your race number. Please wear your race bib on your stomach/chest in plain view so our volunteers and timers can get an accurate finish time and photo. Virtual participants can enter their results on the registration website until Monday, June 9th.
Contact information
Event contact River City Races Phone 502-386-1502 Website Visit website
Name: River City Races Email: [email protected] Phone: 502-386-1502 Website: Visit website
