2026 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day
- Date Sat 14th March 2026
- Time 9:00AM CDT
- Location Birmingham, Alabama
- Price $16.90 - $22.20
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of fun and fitness at the 12th Annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Birmingham, Shelby! This exciting event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. at Hoover's Veterans Park, located at 4800 Valleydale Road. Participants can choose to run, walk, or even sleep in to support scholarships for Jefferson State Community College students in need. With a registration fee starting at just $20, this event is perfect for everyone, including college students and youth under 18!
Join the festivities with free popcorn, cotton candy, and other delicious treats, alongside a DJ and fun activities like face painting. Runners will compete for medals in various categories, including top male and female finishers. Don't miss the chance to be part of this inspiring event that honors the legacy of Dr. Judy M. Merritt, the first female president of an Alabama college. Mark your calendars for a day filled with community spirit, motivation, and celebration on March 14th!
Join the festivities with free popcorn, cotton candy, and other delicious treats, alongside a DJ and fun activities like face painting. Runners will compete for medals in various categories, including top male and female finishers. Don't miss the chance to be part of this inspiring event that honors the legacy of Dr. Judy M. Merritt, the first female president of an Alabama college. Mark your calendars for a day filled with community spirit, motivation, and celebration on March 14th!
Organiser's Description
THE 12TH ANNUAL #JUDY5K WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 14TH! *THIS IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT AND WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED. WE ARE MONITORING THE WEATHER FOR PARTICIPANT SAFETY.*
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. $2.20 Fee & Race T-Shirt
Sat 14th March 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
$22.20
OPENS 01 JUL -
Sleep in 5k! / Virtual Challenge
Incl. $1.90 Fee & Race T-Shirt
$16.90
OPENS 01 JULOut 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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