2026 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day
- Date Sat 14th March 2026
- Time 9:00AM CDT
- Location Birmingham, Alabama
- Price $16.90 - $27.50
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an exciting day of fun and fitness at the 12th Annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 14, 2026! Taking place at the beautiful Hoover's Veterans Park in Birmingham, Shelby, this event invites participants of all ages to run, walk, or even sleep in to support deserving students in need of scholarships at Jefferson State Community College.
Join the festivities starting at 9:00 a.m. and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere filled with free popcorn, cotton candy, and other delicious treats. There will also be a DJ to keep the energy high, face painting for the kids, and many more exciting activities to partake in. With race distances including a 5K that features medals for top male and female finishers in various age categories, this is a perfect opportunity to challenge yourself while making a difference in the community. Don't miss out on this uplifting event that honors the legacy of Dr. Judy M. Merritt, a pioneer in education and community service. Register early for the best prices and join us for a day of joy, camaraderie, and celebration!
Join the festivities starting at 9:00 a.m. and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere filled with free popcorn, cotton candy, and other delicious treats. There will also be a DJ to keep the energy high, face painting for the kids, and many more exciting activities to partake in. With race distances including a 5K that features medals for top male and female finishers in various age categories, this is a perfect opportunity to challenge yourself while making a difference in the community. Don't miss out on this uplifting event that honors the legacy of Dr. Judy M. Merritt, a pioneer in education and community service. Register early for the best prices and join us for a day of joy, camaraderie, and celebration!
Organiser's Description
THE 12TH ANNUAL #JUDY5K WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 14!
RUN, WALK, OR SLEEP IN TO SUPPORT OUR GREAT STUDENTS, AS ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS RACE GO TO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR JSCC STUDENTS IN NEED.
ALL ARE INVITED TO ENJOY FUN ACTIVITIES INCLUDING FREE POPCORN, COTTON CANDY, AND OTHER TASTY TREATS! PLUS A DJ, FACE PAINTING, AND MORE!
The annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K is held in honor of Jefferson State Community Colleges former president Dr. Judy M. Merritt. Serving as President for 35 years, she was the first female president of an Alabama college; her leadership and vision were unparalleled. Judy, as she preferred to be called, embodied the spirit of Jefferson State and our mission to serve all in our community. While the dream for many has been achieved, the fight for pathways to education, equality, and inclusion continues. ~ Judy M. Merritt
MEDALS WILL BE AWARDED AS FOLLOWS:
* 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Top Male & Female Overall
* Top male and female runners in the following categories:
12 & Under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
DATE:
March 14, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
PRICE:
5K - $20 if registered before February 13; $25 if registered February 14 - March 13; $30 if registered on March 14 (day of race)
_$15 for College Students and Ages 18 and under - Use Code STUDENT at Checkout_
_OUT OF STATE BUT STILL WANT TO SUPPORT? WANT TO SLEEP IN ON RACE DAY? JUST WANT THE T-SHIRT? CHOOSE THE SLEEP IN 5K / VIRTUAL CHALLENGE!_
Price: Sleep In 5k / Virtual Challenge - $15
5K participants and Virtual Challenge/Sleep In 5K participants will receive a swag bag, including the race day shirt (*T-SHIRT - ONLY GUARANTEED IF REGISTERED BEFORE FEBRUARY 13TH).
LOCATION:
Hoover's Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35242
PACKET PICK UP:
THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH, BETWEEN 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M., AND FRIDAY, MARCH 13TH, BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Packet pickup is in the lobby of the Judy M. Merritt Health Science building on JSCC's Shelby-Hoover campus, located across from Veterans Park at the corner of Valleydale Road and Jaguar Drive.
Packets will also be available for pickup on race day, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Veterans Park Pavilion. All runners should be checked in by 8:30 A.M.
AWARD CEREMONY:
Winners will be announced, and medals awarded around 10:30 a.m. at the pavilion.
HTTPS://WWW.JEFFERSONSTATE.EDU/5K/ [https://www.jeffersonstate.edu/5k/]
RUN, WALK, OR SLEEP IN TO SUPPORT OUR GREAT STUDENTS, AS ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS RACE GO TO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR JSCC STUDENTS IN NEED.
ALL ARE INVITED TO ENJOY FUN ACTIVITIES INCLUDING FREE POPCORN, COTTON CANDY, AND OTHER TASTY TREATS! PLUS A DJ, FACE PAINTING, AND MORE!
The annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K is held in honor of Jefferson State Community Colleges former president Dr. Judy M. Merritt. Serving as President for 35 years, she was the first female president of an Alabama college; her leadership and vision were unparalleled. Judy, as she preferred to be called, embodied the spirit of Jefferson State and our mission to serve all in our community. While the dream for many has been achieved, the fight for pathways to education, equality, and inclusion continues. ~ Judy M. Merritt
MEDALS WILL BE AWARDED AS FOLLOWS:
* 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Top Male & Female Overall
* Top male and female runners in the following categories:
12 & Under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
DATE:
March 14, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
PRICE:
5K - $20 if registered before February 13; $25 if registered February 14 - March 13; $30 if registered on March 14 (day of race)
_$15 for College Students and Ages 18 and under - Use Code STUDENT at Checkout_
_OUT OF STATE BUT STILL WANT TO SUPPORT? WANT TO SLEEP IN ON RACE DAY? JUST WANT THE T-SHIRT? CHOOSE THE SLEEP IN 5K / VIRTUAL CHALLENGE!_
Price: Sleep In 5k / Virtual Challenge - $15
5K participants and Virtual Challenge/Sleep In 5K participants will receive a swag bag, including the race day shirt (*T-SHIRT - ONLY GUARANTEED IF REGISTERED BEFORE FEBRUARY 13TH).
LOCATION:
Hoover's Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35242
PACKET PICK UP:
THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH, BETWEEN 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M., AND FRIDAY, MARCH 13TH, BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Packet pickup is in the lobby of the Judy M. Merritt Health Science building on JSCC's Shelby-Hoover campus, located across from Veterans Park at the corner of Valleydale Road and Jaguar Drive.
Packets will also be available for pickup on race day, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Veterans Park Pavilion. All runners should be checked in by 8:30 A.M.
AWARD CEREMONY:
Winners will be announced, and medals awarded around 10:30 a.m. at the pavilion.
HTTPS://WWW.JEFFERSONSTATE.EDU/5K/ [https://www.jeffersonstate.edu/5k/]
Races
-
2026 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day
Incl. $2.50 Fee & Race T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$27.50
-
Sleep in 5k! / Virtual Challenge
Incl. $1.90 Fee & Race T-Shirt
$16.90
Out of state but still want to support? Want to sleep in on race day? Just want the T-shirt? Not a runner? For $15.00, you can still participate and support a great cause while doing it!
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Hoover's Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, 35242, AL, United States
2026 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day
