1) Some people have done it as early as week 7. Your goal is to finish upright and you should be capable of that, even if you miss a day.

2) In a big race, it takes about a quarter mile for everybody to spread out and find their pace. This gives you a nice warm-up. If you ride your bike there, you'll be nice and warm for the stretching. Or do dynamic stretching.

3) Many races are "chipped" This means that there is a chip that is embedded in your bib (race number) or you attach to your shoe. It signals a computer to record the time when you pass the start and finish lines. Other races have you run by a clock at the start and finish lines and then has you complete a ticket with the information after the crossing the finish line. Fun runs have a clock at the finish line and don't record "official" times. If you have a stopwatch or a running app, it wouldn't hurt to time yourself as well. The finish results are usually online between 3-5 days. There may also be a professional photographer at the race, so there might be a photo of you finishing available for purchase.

Races start by having an announcer harangue everybody to get their butts to the start line with walkers/strollers toward the back (if allowed). You have a bagpiper to signal assembly. Then they tell you to go and everybody starts slowing moving forward and the crowd slowly spreads out, speeds up and you find your place in it and your rhythm for the race. Just being a part of the crowd, seeing runners just a bit faster than you directly ahead is usually motivating and shaves minutes off your typical training times There's always at least one person there who will inspire you.

There's typically water stations at each mile point but they make you waste time. You shouldn't need to stop if you haven't been drinking during your C25k sessions. Though you WILL want to. You will also want to walk, stop and catch your breath, lie down and take a nap. None of these are a great idea. You CAN do it!

You will probably get your t-shirt before the race in the race packet; some people think it's tacky to wear it during the race because it's traditionally a reward for finishing. Others think that they should mind their own business. There's usually a goodie bag with your race packet or after the race. There's also often bagels/bananas available at the finish. Gatorade and/or chocolate milk make great post race drinks to replace the fluid and salt lost by your body, so your support team might want to hold on to a small bag for you. The milk gives you a nice protein bump as well.

You don't really need to carb load for a 5k, but the ritual is fun. I like to make room for a spaghetti dinner and a cupcake the night before. Everything you do on race day should be typical of any other training runs. Pee before you start. And good luck!

Congratulations, you did an excellent job! It also sounds like you had a lot of fun doing it. And a great result, wow!
I can´t wait for my first 5k in May.

You will also want to walk, stop and catch your breath, lie down and take a nap. None of these are a great idea. You CAN do it!

Pee before you start.

I literally LOL'd

The trick to running up hills is to take short, quick steps - as if you've dropped to the smallest gear on your bicycle and are spinning the pedals without pushing much. Stay on your forefoot. You'll be sweating, but it should feel almost effortless.