Black Squirrel 5K Race

12th Annual Black Squirrel 5K Race & 1-Mile Walk/Roll/Run

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Please join us for our annual spring race which will take place on Saturday, Apr. 13, 2024. The race, named after Kent State University's unofficial mascot, will be available for anyone to participate. The traditional 5k course is a loop course which begins and ends near the entrance to the Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center on the campus of Kent State University. The course will be marked if you are in Kent and would like to run the actual course. The course takes you through the campus via the Esplanade.  A few small hills adds to the experience but be on the lookout for the infamous black squirrels! 

On race day, post your photo or video on your social media account and tag us at #KSU2024BlackSquirrel. 

Registration Cost

  • Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 - Sunday, Mar. 24, 2024 (T-shirt included): $30 (5k), $20 (1-mile)
  • Monday, Mar. 25, 2024 - Saturday, Apr. 13 (no T-shirt): $25 (5k), $15 (1-mile)

Registration opens on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023

Register online with RunSignup

Team Competition

A team is created by a team captain.  Please check with your team captain to get your team name and password prior to registration to join a team.

  • Male Teams - must have a minimum of 3 male participants
  • Female Teams - must have a minimum of 3 female participants
  • Coed Teams - must have a minimum of 4 participants with a minimum of 2 female participants

Race Check-in

T-shirts and race bibs will be available for pick-up as follows at the Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation & Wellness Center at 1550 Ted Boyd Drive, Kent, Ohio 44242.

  • Friday, Apr. 12 from 4 - 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Apr. 13 starting at 7 a.m.

5k Race Map (PDF)

1-mile Walk/Roll/Run Map (PDF)

Donations

We are accepting donations to provide additional support to our club sports program and the students involved in the club sports program. The students work very hard at practice, competition, fundraising, club management and volunteer their time with the Black Squirrel Race. Additional resources will help these student achieve their competition goals without placing such a financial burden on the students who are not scholarship athletes and receive minimal university funding.