The Rough Rider Memorial 5K

Event Overview

JOIN US for the 7th Annual Running of the Rough Rider Memorial 5K (and/or "Tot Trot"), taking place on Saturday, September 19th, 2026, at the Black and Yellow Park located at 120 Recreation Drive, Calhoun, GA. This run honors the 14 Rough Riders killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Proceeds

• Support Local VFW Post: Proceeds benefit the Calhoun, GA VFW Post 5376.
• Memorial Wall: Funds help maintain and improve the Rough Rider Memorial Wall.
• Community Functions: Supports Soldier, Veteran, and family functions at the post.
• Honoring Sacrifice: Commemorates 14 fallen soldiers from this unit.

New Addition

NEW THIS YEAR: The 5K "Ruck"!!! Pay tribute to the fallen by participating in the Ruck Category. It will have its own winners and its own awards (as it should... it’s hard!!!)

Registration Information

• Pre-Race Fee: $30 (available until 11:00 PM, Sunday, September 13th).
• T-shirt Guarantee: Register by this date to guarantee your T-shirt size and lock in the reduced rate.
• Race Day Fee: $40 for registration on race day.

Packet Pick-up

Will be held on-site Saturday morning beginning at 6:45 AM!

Race Route

The route utilizes the paths in and around the Calhoun City Recreation Department’s Black and Yellow park! It’s a VERY fast, very scenic, and (mostly) flat route that we know you will enjoy! AND…it is now a USATF Certified Race Course! Please scroll down to see a route map!

Start-Finish and Parking

• Location: Both the Start & Finish Lines are located at Calhoun City Recreation Department, 120 Recreation Drive, Calhoun GA, 30701.
• Parking: There is plenty of race day parking in the park adjacent to the ball fields and the start/finish line.

Race Day Schedule

• 6:45 AM: Race Day Registration Opens
• 7:45 AM: Race Day Registration Closes
• 8:00 AM: 5K & 5K Ruck Start Time
• 9:15 AM: Awards Presentation

Awards

Awards will be given to the following separately for the 5K and the 5K Ruck:

• Top 3 Overall: Male and Female Winners
• Top Masters: Male and Female Winners
• Age Categories: Top 3 Male & Female in various age categories: 10-Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & Over

Final Note

We do hope you will join us for this outstanding year 7 race in support of a tremendous cause! Please note, this is a rain or shine event.

Link to Race

For more information, visit the official race page: Rough Rider Memorial 5K.