Veterans Day 5K Hosted by the Cherry Blossom Festival

🇺🇸 Event Overview

Join Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival as we host the Veterans Day 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Middle Georgia State University to celebrate and honor veterans in Middle Georgia. A portion of funds raised over the weekend will support the Georgia Department of Veterans Service Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping Middle-Georgia veterans stay in their homes by assisting with utilities, mortgage or rent, and/or home repairs.

🏅 Weekend Events

The Veterans Day 5K is one of three events taking place over Veterans Day weekend to honor, raise awareness, and financially benefit veterans in Macon-Bibb and Middle Georgia. Events taking place during Veterans Day Weekend, November 9-11, include:

• Veterans Day 5K: Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Middle Georgia State University
• Veterans Day Parade: Sunday, November 10, 2024, in Downtown Macon
• Veterans Day Golf Tournament: Monday, November 11, 2024, at River North Country Club

🕖 Day of 5K Schedule

• 7:00am: Registration and Packet Pick Up
• 8:25am: National Anthem
• 8:30am: 5K Begins
• 9:30am: Awards Ceremony (Approximately)

📍 Location and Parking

• Venue: Middle Georgia State University - 100 University Parkway Macon, GA 31206
• Parking: Located in East Parking Lot.
• Starting Point: Outside of the Student Life Center, building 10 on the map.

📝 Registration Details

• Online Registration: Ends Thursday, November 7, 2024.
• Same Day Registration: Onsite only.

🔄 Refund Policy

• No Refunds: No refunds will be given.

🐾 Service Animals

• Welcome: Service animals are welcomed and allowed.

☁️ Weather Policy

• Event Status: Veterans Day 5K is rain or shine.
• Public Safety: Race officials may cancel or delay the event.
• Fees: Registration fees are non-refundable.

🏆 Awards

• Top Finishers: Top three male, top three female, and top three Veterans overall finishers.
• Age Brackets: Top two men and top two women for each age bracket ranging from 10 and under to 80+.
• Patriotic Outfit: Best Red, White and Blue, patriotic outfit.

👕 Shirts

• Registration Deadline: Participants who register by October 23, 2024, will receive their shirt on race day.
• No Guarantee: Race participants who register after October 23, 2024, are not guaranteed a shirt or the size requested.

📦 Packet Pickup

• Pickup Time: Begins at 7:00am on race day.
• Location: Near the Student Life Center: a map will be sent to participants.

🚻 Bathrooms

• Facilities: Restrooms located in the Student Life Center.
• Portable Restrooms: Available near the start/finish line.

❤️ Thank You to Sponsors

Thank you to our gracious sponsors for supporting the Veterans Day 5K and our community's veterans!

Presenting Sponsor:

Smith, Brown and Groover, Inc.

Supporting Sponsors:

The R.A. Bowen Trust, Middle Georgia State University, and Apparel Authority

Hydration Station Sponsors:

Anderson, Walker & Reichert, LLP and Hays Service

Mile Marker Sponsors:

Raffield Tire Master and D. Lance Souther, Inc.

Media Sponsors:

41NBC/WMGT, WDEN, Lite Rock Z93.7, All The Hits B95.1, and Blazin 92.3