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Death by 5k Memphis logo

Death by 5k Memphis

Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 8:00 AM CDT

Location
Memphis, TN
6903 Great View Drive North, 38018
Type
ULTRA
Official registration

Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.

At a glance

Embrace the ultimate 24-hour challenge: ten 5ks, sleep deprivation, and a unique 'coffin award' for those who survive.

  • Competitive
  • Quirky

Great for

  • Beginner Friendly

Death by 5k Memphis offers a unique 24-hour challenge, inviting runners to complete ten 5k segments, each starting every 2.5 hours. This demanding event is designed to test both mental and physical endurance, incorporating physical fatigue, sleep deprivation, and running through the night. The course winds almost entirely along the Tour de Wolf trail at Shelby Farms. Participants can rest in their vehicles or tents between segments, with five hot meals and snacks provided throughout the event. Finishers earn a coveted coffin award.

What to expect

  • Tackle ten 5k segments over 24 hours, running through the night.
  • Rest in your car or tent between segments at the Tour de Wolf Pavilion.
  • Enjoy five hot meals, plus snacks and drinks, provided throughout the event.

Standout details

  • 24-hour, ten 5k challenge
  • Run through the night (headlamps required)
  • Coveted coffin awards for finishers
  • Meals and snacks provided

Perks & features

  • Shirt
  • Swag Included

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

The course

  • Rolling
  • Timed race
From the organizer

Death by 5k is returning to Memphis for year 5!

RunStrong Event's signature 24 hour challenge, Death by 5k requires participants to run ten 5ks starting every 2.5 hours. The first 5k starts at 8 am, and subsequent 5ks start at 1030, 1, 330, 6, 830, 11, 130, 4, and 630 am. Participants need to be present at the start of each 5k, and have that 5k finished prior to the start of the subsequent 5k. This challenge is designed to test participants mentally and physically with physical fatigue, sleep deprivation, and running in the dark. (Headlamps, hand lights, or some other form of illumination will be required)

Death by 5k Memphis will start and finish at the Tour de Wolf Pavilion at Shelby Farms, and will be run almost entirely on the Tour de Wolf trail. The course will be mostly a loop with a small stretch midway that may be out and back. Trail conditions on race weekend will determine how much is two-way traffic instead of a loop.

In between each 5k, participants will be able to sleep in their cars or vehicles in the parking area, or to put up tents in the grass area adjacent to the pavilion. There is plenty of space for pop up or camping tents.

There will be 5 meals, each including hot food, served over the course of the event. Meal times will be 830a, 130p, 630p, 1130p, and 420a. There will also be plenty of snack food and drinks available throughout the event.

Participants will receive an event shirt and other race swag. Finishers will receive one of our coveted coffin awards and the pride that comes with surviving.

Registration will be limited initially to 200 participants. After that, a waitlist will be enabled and we will open spots if/when they become available or if we decide to expand the field

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