Shakespeare River Run 5K & 1M

Shakespeare River Run 5K & 1M

Event Date & Times

• Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
• 5K Start: 9:00 AM
• Family 1M Run/Walk Start: 9:30 AM

Location

111 Bridgepoint Plaza, West 1st Street, Rome, GA 30161 (behind the MSP building)

Event Description

The inaugural SHAKESPEARE RIVER RUN 5K will take place Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. with a Family 1M Run/Walk beginning at 9:30 a.m. The course will begin and end at the Bridgepoint Plaza in historic downtown Rome, Georgia. The SHAKESPEARE RIVER RUN is being held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Rome Shakespeare Festival and Rome’s first ever Renaissance Fayre.

All proceeds go toward the production of the festival which allows us to continue bringing high-quality, FREE Shakespearean theatre to the Rome community. Runners will enjoy a beautiful and fun, fast, family-oriented 5K and 1-mile fun run course along the scenic Etowah, Coosa and Oostanaula Rivers where they just might catch glimpses of pixie fairies frolicking along the banks, the “mechanical actors” rehearsing their scene, or even the Bard, himself! COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED!

After the run, please plan to stay for the Awards ceremony at 10:30 am and the Rome Shakespeare Festival Family Day and RenFayre, which begins at 10:00 a.m. Enjoy the talents of strolling musicians or entertainers, visit the vendors selling Renaissance wares, and make plans for lunch or dinner (at your own expense) at Moe’s BBQ.

Make a day of it and stay for the children’s performance at 3:30 pm and the main performance, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 4:45 p.m. Bring your blanket, chairs, a picnic and beverages (alcohol is allowed), or head over to Moe’s BBQ for a turkey leg, corndog, or other delicious fare. Dressed, tables and chairs can also be rented in advance on RomeShakespeareFestival.com.

This Race Features

• Wire2Wire Timing: Professional Chip Timing
• USATF Certification: Certified 5K Course
• Awards: 5K Age Group Awards with custom race medals
• Custom Bibs: Designed for this event

Race Bibs

Bibs must be worn on the front of your body and remain unfolded for proper timing and be visible at the finish.

Event Details & Schedule

• 7:30 AM: Race Day Registration begins
• 8:45 AM: Race Day Registration ends
• 9:00 AM: 5K Start
• 9:30 AM: 1M Family Run/Walk Start

Registration Info

Be sure to pre-register on-line by SUNDAY, Sept. 20th to guarantee your T-shirt size!

• If you register after September 20th, you may or may not receive the 5K tee in the size of your choice. Please register early and let us know what size tee shirt you would like.

Pricing

5K: $30 per runner. This price ends Sunday, Sept. 20th at midnight. Price increases to $40 from Sept. 21st thru Sept. 27th (race day).

1M: $20 per runner. This price ends Sunday, Sept. 20th at midnight. Price increases to $30 from Sept. 21st thru Sept. 27th (race day).

Family Rate: Yes, fair maiden...there is also a “Family Rate” of $100 for the fun run, regardless of how many children you bring with you, which will include four (4) t-shirts. Additional tee shirts can be purchased for $15 each.

The 'family rate' of $100 ends Sunday, Sept. 20th at midnight. Price increases to $140 from Sept. 21st thru Sept. 27th (race day).

• BOTH events (5K & 1M) come with the awesome Shakespeare River Run T-Shirt!! Additional run T-shirts can be ordered, in advance, for $15 each.

(Please Note: We cannot guarantee your T-Shirt Size if you register on Race Day!)

Packet Pick-Up

• Pre-Race: Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at a place to be determined.
• Day of Race: Sunday at the event tent at Bridgepoint Plaza before the race between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Parking

The parking lot behind the MSP building will be closed off and not available for event parking. The best parking options will be along the South end of Broad Street, or in the 3rd Avenue parking deck, which is free during the Rome Shakespeare Festival, or 4th Avenue parking deck which is also free to the public on weekends.

There is plenty of parking available at Heritage Park, conveniently located near the start/finish and restroom facilities.

Comfort

Porta-Potties will be located at Bridgepoint Plaza. Complimentary water will be available to runners and walkers before the race, along the course, and after the race. Other food and beverages will be available from event vendors.

5K Course

This USATF-Certified 5K course is relatively flat and quite fast and will once again be professionally, electronically-chip timed by Wire2Wire Running!

5K Awards

• Top 3 OVERALL (M&F)
• Top Master (M&F)
• Top Grandmaster (M&F)
• Top 3 in each of the following Age Categories M&F receive a medal: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & Over

NOTE: The 1 Mile Walk & Fun Run is just for smiles...no awards presented for the 1 Mi.

Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather…