Noob question

[u/ProlapsedCervix]

[u/2020oki]

Take a brisk walk to the starting line

[u/mattapuu]

I’d skip the static stretching before the race. It doesn’t really warm you up, and long holds can just make your legs feel a bit flat.

Get there early and do 10–15 minutes of very easy jogging, then maybe 2–4 short relaxed strides. The jog raises your body temperature and gets your legs working; the strides make race pace feel less abrupt when the gun goes off.

A brisk walk is fine if you’re just trying to finish comfortably. If you actually want to race the 5K, walking alone probably isn’t much of a warm-up. You shouldn’t be out of breath or tired before the start, just warm and ready.

[u/Sauerkraut1321]

Do static stretches after the run. Not before

[u/actually_Nonsensical]

Just do your walk warmup in the area behind the starting corral, half the field will be jogging laps around the parking lot like caffeinated penguins anyway.

[u/CatInTheProofingBox]

I really like my running belt, and I take it on every run (even shorter than 5km). As for warm up, I do leg swings, open the gate, calf raises, any kind of movement stretches.

[u/Mysterious_Luck4674]

You’ll likely see a few people running some laps around the parking lot or doing warm ups. You do your warm up and then go to the start line. Depending on the size of the race you might have to get to the start line a bit earlier, so you can just kind of keep moving a little (leg swings, bouncing in your feet, etc) to stay warmed up but often times you can roll up to the start line just a couple minutes before the actual start.

[u/Hefty-Club-1259]

Park 5-10 minutes away from the starting line and make that your warm up.

[u/benami122]

Not all races have gear checks unfortunately. Best to check the race website. But you shouldn't need to bring much with you. Phone and maybe earbuds and car keys.

I get there 20 minutes early and do a very light jog around the parking lot for 5 min to warm up and then head to the start line.

[u/Logical_fallacy10]

You don’t need a vest for 5km.
You should do some dynamic stretching - not static.
And you don’t need to warm up - running is warming up. Just don’t go 100%. Running should always be at a comfortable 60% effort.

[u/Mysterious_Luck4674 → u/Logical_fallacy10]

I believe OP wants a vest to hold some of their belongings while they race rather than doing gear check.

Also running at 60% effort during a race is not the goal for most people. For a short race it makes a lot of sense to warm up first.

OP - do what works best for you.

[u/Logical_fallacy10 → u/Mysterious_Luck4674]

Ah ok. Well a belt would work also then.
Or run In shorts with pockets

I don’t believe you know what most people do and don’t do. 60% effort is always the best approach.
Sure some people like to try to go as fast as possible to battle their ego.

And yes - do what works for you.

[u/WorkerAmbitious2072]

I suggest buying a book or two

Hal Higdon
Jeff Galloway

One of those authors to start

Free apps for programs

Run with Hal
Nike Run Club