NextGen United’s Summer Sun and Racing Fun 5K 2026 — Lincolnton, NC

Online Registration is Now Closed! Runners can still register in person during day-before packet pick-up from 4-6PM or day-of from 7:15-7:45 AM! Welcome to NextGen United's Summer Sun and Racing Fun 5k NextGen United's Summer Sun and Racing Fun 5K is coming up soon! We invite you to walk or run in our first-ever 5K race to kick off the summer season! To ramp up the fun, get a group together, dress up in fun summer-themed costumes, and help us kick off summer! Support our teen group and help raise money for UWLC's Community Fund, supporting our neighbors in need during one-time hardships, critical programs across the county, and much more! Plus, all runners will get to jumpstart summertime with snow cones, slushies, and much more once they cross that finish line! 5k kicks off at 8:00 AM Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-Up: 6/6/26, 7:15AM—7:45AM, Betty G Ross Park Day Before Packet Pick Up: 6/5/26, 4:00PM—6:00PM, Betty G Ross Park Location and Course: Betty G Ross Park, 800 Madison St, Lincolnton, NC 28092 and the local Rail Trail The 5K route is as follows: Leave Betty Ross Park on Motz Avenue Travel 0.1 of a miles to rail trail entrance Continue on rail trail crossing the following streets Congress Street @ Government Street Academy Street Sycamore Street Pine Street Dixon Street Runners will cross Dixon Street, make a U-turn on the Rail Trail, and return to the start/ finish line following the same route Awards Top placement in each of the categories below: Top Male and Female overall Top Male & Female within Age Groups (14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) Top Male & Female Runner with Strollers Summer Fun Costume Contest Winner Top Male & Female Runner with Dogs