Niles Frigid 5k Run & Walk

The Niles Frigid 5k Run & Walk is held in Niles, Michigan, in Berrien County, on January 23, 2027, with the 5K starting at 9 a.m. It is a community event open to runners and walkers of every level, built around a single distance and a single start rather than a full race program.

Late January in southern Michigan is exactly the kind of date that keeps winter training from drifting, which is much of the appeal of a race like this. You do not need a long build for a 5K: three or four runs a week for a month, one of them with some faster segments, is plenty to arrive prepared. Dress for the first mile rather than the last, since you will warm up quickly once moving, and be ready to shorten your stride if the footing is slick. Walkers are part of the field here, not an afterthought.