Mayor's 5K on the 5th Runway - 12th Annual

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING RACE INFORMATION AND RULES CAREFULLY:

The Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway celebrates its 12th anniversary this year.  Hosted by Mayor Andre Dickens, the race welcomes runners as young as 10 years old and of all abilities.  Get ready to lace up your shoes and run or walk the 5th runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday, November 7th, 2026.  Experience this exclusive opportunity to race on one of the flattest – and fastest – courses in metro Atlanta!

Registration is limited to the first 2,000 participants. 

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

The proceeds from the race will benefit the Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program and United Way of Greater Atlanta.

RACE INFORMATION: 

• All participants receive a commemorative T-shirt and medal upon completion of the race.
• There is limited space for participants to warm up or stretch before and after the event.
• Walkers are encouraged to walk to the right, allowing runners to pass on the left.
• Participants must be ages 10 and older.  Participants younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult who is registered for the race.
  Spectators are not permitted.
• 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: 3:30 a.m. | Parking Lots open for race participant parking 4:00 a.m. | Race # Pickup Begins – ATL’s Tech Campus parking lot, adjacent to Fire Station #33 

• Mandatory race # pick-up is on the morning of the race beginning at 4:00am (NO exceptions).   
• NO race day race registration is allowed.       
• ALL participants MUST show a government-issued photo ID that matches the registered participant's name at race # pick-up.  The name on the government ID MUST also match the name on the race number at the security checkpoint to enter the restricted area of the airport property.   
• Minors who are registered for the race do not have to show a government-issued ID but MUST be accompanied by a registered race participant with the required government issued ID.     
• ALL participants MUST be checked in by 6:00 a.m. to be allowed to participate. 
• Race #s will be picked up alphabetically be each participant's last name.                                                                                                                                               

6:00 a.m. | Race # Pickup Closes 6:15 a.m. | Race Participants stage adjacent to the 5th runway for the start of the race 6:30 a.m. | Official Race Start 7:30 a.m. | Finish of Race - All participants MUST be off the runway by 7:30 a.m. 7:45 a.m. | Awards - Fire Station #33 at the 5K Race Village 9:00 a.m. | Fire Station #33 closes to race participants   RACE RULES:

Participation in the Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway (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 Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway. The City of Atlanta ("CITY") reserves the right to exclude or remove any participant from the RACE for failure to comply with any portion of the RACE Rules.

1. Because the RACE course is an active runway, all participants are required to be off the RACE course by 7:30 a.m. regardless of whether participants have finished the RACE. This requires participants to maintain an approximately 17-minute pace. Participants not maintaining a pace that will meet this 7:30 a.m. deadline will be detoured along the route as needed. Remaining participants on the RACE course at 7:30 a.m. will be escorted off the course by authorized personnel without exception.
2. All participants agree to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws related to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (AIRPORT). AIRPORT property is defined by the secure fence line around the perimeter of the AIRPORT.
3. All participants must be checked in no later than 6 a.m. on race day to take part in the 5K. Same-day registration is not allowed for this RACE.
   Check-in and mandatory race-day number pickup opens to participants starting at 4 a.m. All participants must show a government-issued photo ID that matches the registered participant’s 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.
4. The RACE is open to members of the public ages 10 and older. No child younger than 10 is permitted on the AIRPORT property. Each child between the ages of 10 and 17 must be accompanied by a registered adult who will be participating with the child during the RACE.
5. All participants acknowledge that they will be vetted by AIRPORT and federal security agencies prior to the RACE based upon the submission of each participant’s name and birth date. Participants acknowledge that being successfully vetted is a prerequisite for RACE participation. Any potential participant who is flagged as a security risk based upon the vetting process will be prohibited from participating in the RACE, and their entry fee will be reimbursed.
6. 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 and enter the AIRPORT property the morning of the race.
7. All RACE participants must stay on the officially designated 5K course at all times, unless detoured by law enforcement or other AIRPORT personnel along the route. RACE participants acknowledge that the RACE will begin prior to sunrise and agree to follow the lighted path for participants on the 5K course.
   No spectators are allowed on AIRPORT property.
8. Only registered RACE participants will be allowed on AIRPORT property.
9. All participants will be searched upon check-in for prohibited items upon entering AIRPORT property. There will be NO gear check.
10. No guns or weapons of any kind (including but not limited to knives, mace, pepper spray, stun guns, etc.) are allowed on AIRPORT property.
11. Only fanny packs (5" x 7" x 2”) are allowed on race day. All other bags are strictly prohibited (e.g. backpacks, shoulder bags, sling bags, water camels, etc.).
12. No outside water, water bottles, camelbacks, etc. are allowed. Water will be provided to RACE participants.
13. No strollers are permitted on AIRPORT property.
14. No bikes, skateboards or other non-motorized or motorized vehicles are permitted on the AIRPORT property, other than equipment necessary for a person with a disability as required by an ADA participant.
15. No pets are permitted on AIRPORT property except for officially designated service animals as required by an ADA participant.
    A clear plastic bag, no larger than one-quart size, will be provided to participants for ID and keys if needed. All items carried onto the AIRPORT property must fit in the clear pouch provided. Cell phones, mobile music players and arm bands to hold those devices are allowed.
16. All participants acknowledge that items left in any location on City of Atlanta and AIRPORT property are left at the participant’s own risk.
17. The City of Atlanta reserves the right to exclude or remove any participant from the RACE for failure to comply with any portion of the RACE rules.
18. All participants and observers will agree to any COVID-19 PROTOCOLS that currently are or may be put in place in the future for the Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway event.

COVID PROTOCOLS (if necessary):

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. RACE participants are encouraged to hand sanitize often throughout the event.
5. Participants are encouraged to leave the RACE site shortly after the conclusion of the RACE.
6. 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."
7. Any or all of these protocols may be adjusted if the health environment on RACE day indicates changes are necessary.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING:

• Carpooling is highly recommended.
• There is NO public parking at the RACE site - Atlanta Fire Station #33.
• Parking is available at Lot 1075 and Truck Pass Lot (addresses below)
  • Lot 1075 (short walk to race # pickup location)
    • 1075 Airport Loop Road
    • College Park, GA  30337
  • Truck Pass Lot (shuttle bus to race # pickup location)
    • 1586 Sullivan Road
    • College Park, GA  30337
• Return shuttle service will be available after the RACE with the last shuttle departing from Fire Station #33 at 9:00 a.m.
• Whether face masks will be required to ride these shuttles will be determined closer to the RACE date.
• There is no charge for parking or the shuttle buses.
• Participants using rideshare transportation to the race should give the driver the following address.
  • South Cargo
    • 1255 Loop Road
    • Atlanta, GA  30354
• There will be NO shuttles from any airport paid lots to the RACE Site.
• MARTA IS NOT BE AVAILABLE as an option to get to the race.
• If you will need special assistance with parking or other ADA accessibility, please email [email protected] well in advance of the race date.

RIDESHARING INSTRUCTIONS:

• Rideshare participants should plan to have their driver drop-off and pick up at South Cargo Lot.
  • South Cargo
    • 1255 Loop Road
      Atlanta, GA  30354
• Rideshare drives should follow the other vehicle traffic into the parking lot to find a safe drop-off location.  They can then proceed out of the parking lot at the exit.  

MARTA:

• BASED on the regular MARTA schedule at the airport, MARTA is not an effective option to get to the race.

AWARDS:

• Awards are given for the overall male and female finisher, and top male and female finisher in each age group as follows: 10-16; 17-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; and 70+.  
• Awards winners are based on NET TIME. Only TIMED runners can qualify for awards.

SHOE DONATION AND OTHER SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES:

Help our community and the environment.

• Reduce impact - Only compostable service ware will be used.
• Reuse items - Donate your used shoes at registration.  We are partnering with CHaRM to repurpose them in the Atlanta community.
• Recycle waste - Cardboard and plastic from the event will be separated on-site and diverted from landfills in partnership with CHaRM.
• Sustainability Table - Visit our Sustainability table at the Race to learn more about ATL's sustainability initiatives. 

VIRTUAL RACE:

• For those unable to participate in the ATL Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway 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 and photos via the race registration website.
• You will receive a commemorative T-shirt and medal after the event.

SPONSORSHIP INTEREST:

• For questions about sponsorships or to become a sponsor, please contact Kelli Ross at [email protected].
  If you have additional questions about the Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway, please email [email protected] or call (404) 382-2369.  

VOLUNTEER INTEREST:

• Do you know of anyone that would like to volunteer for the 5K Race? Sign up as a volunteer. Details coming soon. 

• *All volunteers will receive a commemorative T-shirt, breakfast, snacks and have access to the 5K Village Experience!**

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.