You won't technically need to eat, but you may want something just to keep your stomach from rumbling. You could have a power bar or something else small 30-60 minutes before you run. You won't want to get the urge to pee at the starting line, so lay off the water a couple of hours before the race.

Your body will store more than enough calories and water to get you through a 5K without needing use the water stops.

A little more advice: Nerves are normal before a race; they go away when the starting gun is fired. You'll see many of the runners sprint off the starting line at the start; let them go ahead and just worry about your pace, you'll see many of them again when you pass them.

Races can be a lot of fun. It sounds like you are very prepared for a 5K, so try to relax and enjoy. Good luck.

I eat 2 hours before race. A couple pop tarts and a banana usually though it is hard to eat that much for I am nervous. Sip water until about an hour before the race. I drink about 30 ounces starting 3 hours before race till about an hour before. After my warmup I drink a little more.

You can eat a few pretzels right before the race if you want. Being hungry is not really a worry though. The race doesn't take too long and you certainly are not worried about being hungry while running.

Oh the night before...just dont eat too much.
Maybe eat around 6:30 or so at night...pizza, spaghetti, bread whatever gives you carbs. Just dont overfill the belly.

http://This message has been edited by MichiganFlyer (edited Oct-03-2007).