Matthews Kiwanis Labor Day 5K

The 35th Annual Kiwanis Labor Day 5K will be held on Labor Day, September 7, 2026 at the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Sportsplex. With plenty of safe parking near the course route, accessibility is assured. 

The 5K course is an out-and-back route, featuring paved pathways around and between the Sportplex stadium and soccer fields. It is a certified course. (NC26010DF) 

The 5K race will start at 7:30am at the West pavilion off of the stadium. See the map that is a part of this website, which notes not only the route but also parking areas.

High quality race shirts and bib numbers will be available on race day at the registration tables. T-shirts are only guaranteed for participants registered before midnight August 24th.

After that cutoff time, race shirt distribution will be on a first come, first served basis. Registration fee for the “Fun Run” does not include a race shirt.

There will be no packet pickup prior to race day.

The Pre-registration price of $35 will be good online until midnight Saturday September 5.

After that cutoff time, race registration will be $45, online at the registration tables. 

The Kiwanis Club of Matthews is part of a global community of volunteers that work to improve the lives of children one child and community at a time. Composed of members who are business people from the Matthews area, we gather for lunch most Thursdays at Golden Corral in Matthews. This 5K footrace is one of a few fundraisers held each year too underwite such programs as Clothes for Kids, Terrific Kids, as well as Matthews Gives Back. We count on events such as this race to strengthen and expand those services to our community’s children. So in advance, the Kiwanis Club of Matthews thanks you for your support and participation. For more information about our work and activities, please visit: www.matthewskiwanis.org.

The 5k will be held, rain or shine, unless the race directors determine that conditions are too dangerous. If the race is canceled due to inclement weather there will be neither refunds nor transfers, as the signup waiver notes. 

There is convenient parking and clean public bathrooms near the course start.