THIS IS A STAPLE 5K OF THE PINE BELT AREA! COME JOIN US ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026
NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR, WE ARE MOVING THE RACE TO PARKWAY HEIGHTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 2420 HARDY ST, HATTIESBURG, MS.

WEAR YOUR CRAZY SOCKS AND RUN FOR RYAN!

BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR: A Discounted Race Registration Option for the 5k run or walk. If race shirts are not your thing, then we have a discounted race registration option for you! This discounted rate will only be available until 12:00 p.m. on August 18, 2026.



ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 12:00 PM (NOON) (CDT) ON FRIDAY, SEPT 4, 2026.



5K RACE AND COURSE INFORMATION: The 5k Run/Walk starts at 7:30 a.m. We ask everyone to make their way toward the starting line at 7:15 a.m. for any race-related announcements. The course is smooth, with a few inclines and declines along the way. The course will have you running through The Oaks District of the Avenues of Hattiesburg. Although there will be traffic monitors throughout the course and at specific turns, please exercise caution while on the course. There will be one aid station on the course. The aid station will have plenty of water and fuel to finish the race.



IF YOU ARE ENTERED IN THE 5K WALK, BE AWARE THAT THIS IS FOR *WALKERS ONLY* WITH NOT EVEN A "LITTLE BIT OF RUNNING." IF YOU RUN DURING THE 5K WALK, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM ANY AWARDS.



FAMILY FUN RUN: The Family and Kids Fun Run will begin immediately following the conclusion of the 5k Run/Walk. Announcements will be made providing plenty of notice and time for everyone to line up before the start of the run. The Family Fun Run will run through the parking lot of the Parkway Heights United Methodist Church; however, this is subject to change based on conditions on race day.



2026 LYL RACE SHIRTS: Register by August 18, 2026, to be guaranteed a Race Shirt! Additional race shirts may be purchased during race registration for $15.00 ($2.00 extra for 2XL or 3XL). If you sign up after August 18, we cannot guarantee you will receive a race shirt.



5K RUN AWARDS: 1st Male and Female, Overall, Master, and Grandmaster. Age Group awards: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Male and Female ages 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.

5K WALK AWARDS: Overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd Male and Female



EARLY PACKET PICKUP: Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026 Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at The ARC Southeast MS Gymnasium, 65 Bonhomie Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.



Bibs, race sweatshirts, swag bags and purchased add-ons will be given out at Packet Pickup. To avoid crowds on race morning, we encourage you to pick up your packet during this time. If you cannot make it to packet pickup, you are welcome to have someone pick up your packet for you.



RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP: Packet pickup will start at 6:00 a.m. on race day, Monday, September 7, 2026.



POST-RACE FUN: Following the race and during the awards, there will also be several door prizes to be given away! There will also be plenty of post-race food and refreshments.

RACE TIMING: The race will be timed.



ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO FUND THE ARC SOUTHEAST MS! . HTTPS://THEARC.ORG/CHAPTER/THE-ARC-OF-SOUTHEAST-MISSISSIPPI/ [https://thearc.org/chapter/the-arc-of-southeast-mississippi/]



Race updates/information can be found at the Facebook Event: