The ML5K CommUnity Run (5K Run/Walk)

The ML5K CommUnity Run/Walk

Saturday, January 17th 2026

9:00 AM 5K Run/Walk Start Time

Course Description

[PLEASE NOTE: 11:59 PM, Sunday, January 11th 2026 was the LAST DAY we could GUARANTEE your t-Shirt size. Of course, there will be Race Day Registration for the race, and while we will have extras on-hand and certainly try to give you your size, we cannot guarantee we will have the size you want.]

Event Overview

• Purpose: The race is in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and is meant to bring our community together.
• Health Promotion: This event promotes health and wellness in our community.
• Beneficiaries: Proceeds will support individuals experiencing health challenges and the MLK Bartow County Scholarship Fund.
• New Route: 2026 introduces a unique race route through Downtown Cartersville and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Registration Information

• Pre-Race Fee: $30 (through January 11th)
• Race Day Fee: $40
• Early Registration: 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
• 8:30 AM: Join the Pre-Race "Stretch Zone" with Travis Scott of Youngheart Fitness!
• 8:55 AM: Pre-Race Announcements
• 9:00 AM: 5K Start Time!
• 9:45 AM: 1K Kids Fun Run Start Time!
• 10:05 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

The new race route 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 neighborhood 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, 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

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

• 1K Fun Run: Awards will be given to the top 3 Runners

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 at www.wire2wirerunning.com.

Note:

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

Join Us!

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

Race URL:

ML5K CommUnity Run Registration