The Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GCDHH) is thrilled to announce the return of the _Follow the Sign 5K_! This Walk/Run event will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, as part of the National Deaf Awareness Week celebrations from Monday, September 21, to Sunday, September 27, 2026.

_Follow the Sign 5K _was created by a team of Deaf and Hard of Hearing members to showcase our language and cultural diversity. We are committed to raising funds to improve the lives of Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard-of-hearing individuals. This _Follow the Sign Campaign _highlights the uniqueness of sign language, communication, and accessibility.

In addition to participating by walking, running, or hiking, GCDHH is seeking donors to help us reach our goal of $50,000. Sponsoring organizations and individuals will make a significant impact on our community by supporting this annual event. Donations will be acknowledged with advertisements throughout the event and in our monthly newsletters.

This is a USATF-certified 5K course and therefore an AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Spectators welcomed!

For questions please contact followthesign5k@gcdhh.org.

RACE INFORMATION:

* All in-person participants receive a race T-shirt and race # at check-in and a medal upon completion of the race.
* Walkers are encouraged to walk to the right, allowing runners to pass on the left.
* Participants must be ages 5 and older. Participants younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult who is registered for the race.
* For participants requiring a "guide" or push-assist runner, the "guide" or push-assist runner MUST register for the race as a "timed" or "untimed" participant.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE :
8:30 a.m. | Check-in, race # pickups

9:20 a.m. | Race # Pickup Closes

9:20 a.m. | Welcome, Greetings, Booths/Vendors

10:00 a.m. | Official Race Start

11:00 a.m. | Finish of Race

11:15 a.m. | Awards

RACE RULES :
Participation in the _Follow the Sign 5K_ (RACE) is contingent upon each participant complying with these RACE Rules. By agreeing to participate in this RACE, you hereby agree to be bound by all RACE Rules for the _Follow the Sign 5K_. Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing reserves the right to exclude or remove any participant from the RACE for failure to comply with any portion of the RACE Rules.

* Check-in and mandatory race-day number pickup opens to participants starting at 8:30 a.m. All participants must show a government-issued photo ID that matches the registered participants name upon check-in. Minors do not need to provide a photo ID upon check-in when accompanied by a registered adult with a proper government-issued photo ID.
* The RACE is open to members of the public ages 5 and older. Each child under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a registered adult who will be participating with the child during the RACE.
* Registrations are nontransferable and nonrefundable.
* RACE bibs may not be sold, given away or used by any person other than the registered individual. Your Government ID must match the name of the registered participant to pick up a race number the morning of the race.
* All RACE participants must stay on the officially designated 5K course at all times, unless detoured by law enforcement or other official personnel along the route. RACE participants acknowledge agree to follow the designated path for participants on the 5K course.
* Only registered RACE participants will be allowed on the designated 5K course.
* No guns or weapons of any kind (including but not limited to knives, mace, pepper spray, stun guns, etc.) are allowed on the park property.
* No bikes, skateboards or other non-motorized or motorized vehicles are permitted on the 5k course, other than equipment necessary for a person with a disability as required by an ADA participant.
* No pets are permitted on 5k course except for officially designated service animals as required by an ADA participant.
* All participants acknowledge that items left in any location in the park during the 5K event are left at the participants own risk.
* Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard or Hearing reserves the right to exclude or remove any participant from the RACE for failure to comply with any portion of the RACE rules.
* All participants, observers, and spectators will agree to any COVID-19 PROTOCOLS that currently are or may be put in place in the future for the Follow the Sign 5K event.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR THE EVENT:

* Anyone exhibiting signs of COVID-19 such as feeling sick, recently testing positive for COVID-19 and/or being exposed to anyone showing signs or recently testing positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to participate in the RACE.
* At the present time, wearing a face mask is optional. The RACE reserves the right to require face masks if health protocols at AIRPORT change. Face masks are not required while running/walking the 5K route.
* Participants are encouraged to use their own judgement regarding social distancing when around people not in their social circle. The RACE may start in waves with a start grid to promote social distancing if necessary.
* RACE participants are encouraged to hand sanitize often throughout the event.
* Participants are encouraged to leave the RACE site shortly after the conclusion of the RACE.
* Individuals with compromised immune systems, individuals meeting other vulnerable criteria and anyone responsible for the care of someone in the at-risk population should possibly consider this event a risky environment. We recommend these individuals participate as a "Virtual Runner."
* Any or all of these protocols may be adjusted if the health environment on RACE day indicates changes are necessary.

PARKING:
TBD

PARTICIPANTS, RIDESHARE, VENDORS AND VOLUNTEERS: TBD

MARTA USERS: TBD

AWARDS:
Awards are given for the overall male and female finisher, and top male and female finisher in each age group as follows: under 18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60+.
Awards winners are based on NET TIME. Only TIMED runners can qualify for awards.

VIRTUAL RACE:
For those unable to participate in the Follow the Sign in person, the virtual option allows you to run or walk anytime and anywhere, even indoors on a treadmill, at your own convenience.
Complete the 5K on your own time and at your preferred location.
You can submit your virtual race results via the race registration website.
You will receive a commemorative T-shirt and medal mailed to your preferred address.

SPONSORSHIP INTEREST:
For questions about sponsorships and any other question, please contact followthesign5k@gcdhh.org.

VOLUNTEER INTEREST: (REGISTRATION TABLES, WATER TABLES/PATH, DIRECT-HOST)
Do you know of anyone that would like to volunteer for the 5K Race? Sign up as a volunteer - registration details upcoming.

**VOLUNTEERS THAT SIGN-UP BY JULY 1, 2026 WILL RECEIVE A VOLUNTEER RACE T-SHIRT.**

IN-KIND DONATIONS INTEREST: Help us make the 5th Annual _Follow The Sign 5K _a success! Your in-kind donationswhether snacks, race gear, or raffle prizesfuel the fun and support our community. Use link -> female sign Follow The Sign 5K: In-kind Donations male sign [https://forms.gle/kMH4fkALjyNB8UfE6] to contribute and be part of something meaningful!

NOTE: STAFF WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE VIA PHONE OR E-MAIL ON THE MORNING OF THE RACE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. PLEASE RESOLVE ANY ISSUES OR QUESTIONS YOU HAVE BEFORE RACE DAY BY EMAILING FOLLOWTHESIGN5K@GCDHH.ORG.