The ML5K CommUnity Run (5K Run/Walk)

🏃‍♂️ The ML5K CommUnity Run/Walk

📅 Saturday, January 17th 2026

⏰ 9:00 AM 5K Run/Walk Start Time

PLEASE NOTE: 11:59 PM, Sunday, January 11th 2026 Is the LAST DAY we can GUARANTEE Your T-shirt Size!!!!! So Please REGISTER TODAY!!!

🌟 Event Overview

Please make plans to join us for this very special event…the 3rd. Annual Running of the “ML5K CommUnity Run”. The race—in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—is meant to bring our community together, not only in recognition of Dr. King, but also in an effort to promote health and wellness in our own little corner of the world on this very special day! Each year, proceeds from the race will benefit an individual or individuals experiencing health challenges, providing support for medical bills and related expenses. Additionally, proceeds will serve to benefit the MLK Bartow County Scholarship Fund, furthering education in the Bartow County community.

📍 Race Route

2026 Brings us a NEW and exciting Race Route utilizing Downtown Cartersville Streets and touching Cartersville's iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Drive! So lace up and plan to join us on this new, unique, & fast-moving route!

📝 Registration Information

• Pre-Race Registration: $30 (through January 11th)
• Race Day Registration Fee: $40
• Guarantee: Register early to guarantee lower rates and your T-shirt size!

📅 Race Day Schedule of Events

• 7:45 AM: Race Day Registration / Packet Pick-up Opens
• 8:55 AM: Pre-Race Announcements
• 9:00 AM: 5K Start Time!
• 9:50 AM: 1K Kids Fun Run Start Time!
• 10:15 AM: Awards Presentation

📦 Packet Pick Up

Packet Pick-up will be held Friday, January 16th, from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM at the Big Peach Running Company of Cartersville. Located at 402 E. Church St., Cartersville, GA 30121. NOTE: PLEASE DO make plans to pick up your T-shirt at either Pre-Race Packet Pick up or on Race Day (as T-shirts that are not picked up will NOT be mailed post-race!)

🗺️ Race Route Details

The new race route (while still being finalized) will Start and Finish on Museum Drive in Downtown Cartersville adjacent to the Booth Museum. The route will leverage various surface streets in this historic neighborhoods just east of the CSX Rail line and will touch the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on the initial 1.5 mile out and back portion. This segment is followed by another 1.5M loop bringing you back to Museum Drive to the Finish!

🅿️ Race Day Parking

There is plenty of Race Parking in Downtown Cartersville and adjacent lots to the Booth Museum & Tabernacle Baptist Church. You will NOT however be allowed to park on Museum Drive itself (Start / Finish Line Locations.)

🏆 5K Awards

• Top 3 Overall Male and Female Winners: Recognition
• Top Master’s Male and Female Winners: Recognition
• Age Categories: Top 3 Male & Female in the following 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 & Over

🥇 1K Awards

Awards will be given to the top 3 Runners in the 1K Fun Run.

⏱️ Professional Timing

The race will once again be professionally timed by our friends from Wire2Wire Running. Results will be posted on their website results page. www.wire2wirerunning.com

Please note, this is a Rain-or-Shine event!!

Please plan to join us in support of our 3rd year to host an event which in Year 1 brought our community together! We invite you to come and be a part of it!