From the Organizer
The 13th Annual #Judy5K will be held on Saturday, March 13!
Run, walk, or sleep in to support our great students, as all proceeds from this race go to scholarships for JSCC students in need.
All are invited to enjoy fun activities including free popcorn, cotton candy, and other tasty treats! PLUS a DJ, face painting, and more!
The annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K is held in honor of Jefferson State Community College’s former president Dr. Judy M. Merritt. Serving as President for 35 years, she was the first female president of an Alabama college; her leadership and vision were unparalleled. Judy, as she preferred to be called, embodied the spirit of Jefferson State and our mission to serve all in our community. “While the dream for many has been achieved, the fight for pathways to education, equality, and inclusion continues.” ~ Judy M. Merritt
Medals will be awarded as follows:
- 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Top Male & Female Overall
- Top male and female runners in the following categories:
12 & Under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Date:
March 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Price:
5K - $20 if registered by February 12; $25 if registered February 13 - March 12; $30 if registered on March 13 (day of race)
$15 for College Students and Ages 18 and under - Use Code STUDENT at Checkout
Out of state but still want to support? Want to sleep in on race day? Just want the T-shirt? Choose the Sleep In 5k / Virtual Challenge!
Price: Sleep In 5k / Virtual Challenge - $15
5K participants and Virtual Challenge/Sleep In 5K participants will receive a swag bag, including the race day shirt (*T-Shirt - only guaranteed if registered before February 12th).
Location:
Hoover's Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35242
Packet Pick Up:
Thursday, March 11th, between 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Friday, March 12th, between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Packet pickup is in the lobby of the Judy M. Merritt Health Science building on JSCC's Shelby-Hoover campus, located across from Veterans Park at the corner of Valleydale Road and Jaguar Drive.
Packets will also be available for pickup on race day, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Veterans Park Pavilion. All runners should be checked in by 8:30 a.m.
Award Ceremony:
Winners will be announced, and medals awarded around 10:30 a.m. at the pavilion.
https://www.jeffersonstate.edu/5k/
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
66°
Typical Low
44°
Chance of Rain
36%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Birmingham Ap, 7 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Birmingham, AL
Population
199,322
as of 2023
City Elevation
669 ft
Nearest Airport
BHM
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport · 6 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Approximate location — pin shows the host city, not the exact venue.
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
268
Days to train
- Race
- 2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day
- Date
- March 13, 2027
Coming Up
More Running races near Birmingham, AL
Smile-A-Mile (SAM) 5K
1 Mile · 5K · From $20 · 1600 2nd Avenue S
2 miles away
Railroad Reckoning
From $59 · 1600 1st Ave S
2 miles away
9th Annual Birmingham, AL Ostomy 5k
5K · From $30 · 1600 1st Ave South
2 miles away
21st District "Be the One" 5K Run/Walk
5K · From $35 · 1600 1st Avenue S
2 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the 2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day?
- 2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day is a running race held in Birmingham, Alabama on March 13, 2027. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the 2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day?
- Saturday, March 13, 2027 in Birmingham, Alabama at Hoover's Veterans Park. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the 2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day
Mar 13, 2027