2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day
- Date Sat 13th March 2027
- Time 9:00AM CST
- Location Birmingham, Alabama
- Price $16.90 - $22.20
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Join us for the 13th Annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 13, 2027, in beautiful Birmingham, Shelby. This uplifting event invites runners, walkers, and participants of all ages to support a great cause, with all proceeds benefiting scholarships for Jefferson State Community College students in need. The 5K race kicks off at 9:00 a.m. at Veterans Park, where you can enjoy a day filled with fun activities, including free popcorn, cotton candy, face painting, and a lively DJ.
Participants can compete for medals in various categories, including overall top male and female winners, as well as age divisions from 12 & under to 60+. Registration costs only $20 before February 12, making it an accessible and enjoyable way to give back to the community. Whether you choose to run, walk, or even join virtually with the Sleep In 5K option, don’t miss out on this exciting day dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Judy M. Merritt. Mark your calendars and be part of this inspiring event that fosters education and inclusion!
Participants can compete for medals in various categories, including overall top male and female winners, as well as age divisions from 12 & under to 60+. Registration costs only $20 before February 12, making it an accessible and enjoyable way to give back to the community. Whether you choose to run, walk, or even join virtually with the Sleep In 5K option, don’t miss out on this exciting day dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Judy M. Merritt. Mark your calendars and be part of this inspiring event that fosters education and inclusion!
Organiser's Description
THE 13TH ANNUAL #JUDY5K WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 13!
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 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
PRICE:
5K - $20 if registered by February 12; $25 if registered February 13 - March 12; $30 if registered on March 13 (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 12TH).
LOCATION:
Hoover's Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35242
PACKET PICK UP:
THURSDAY, MARCH 11TH, BETWEEN 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M., AND FRIDAY, MARCH 12TH, 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 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
PRICE:
5K - $20 if registered by February 12; $25 if registered February 13 - March 12; $30 if registered on March 13 (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 12TH).
LOCATION:
Hoover's Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35242
PACKET PICK UP:
THURSDAY, MARCH 11TH, BETWEEN 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M., AND FRIDAY, MARCH 12TH, 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
-
2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day
Incl. $2.20 Fee & Race T-Shirt
Sat 13th March 2027 (9:00AM CST)
$22.20
OPENS 30 JUN -
Sleep in 5k! / Virtual Challenge
Incl. $1.90 Fee & Race T-Shirt
$16.90
OPENS 30 JUNOut 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
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2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day
