From the Organizer
We are excited for our 4th annual Big Miles for Little Smiles 5k Run/Walk and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County. Our mission at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Miles for Little Smiles will be held at Ella Sharp Park on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. The proceeds from this event will support the organization’s mission to create one-to-one relationships between the Bigs and Littles within the community.
Pricing: $25 until 8/31. $30 from 9/01 to 10/04. $35 from 10/5 to 10/17. $40 race day (no shirts, online registration only). Shirts are guaranteed with registrations through 10/4. The Kids Fun Run is $10 and shirts are guaranteed with registration through 10/4.
Team pricing: $5 discount per participant with a team of four or more. The discount will automatically be refunded when you have at least four people join your team. Your team must consist of four or more before registration closes in order to qualify for the team discount of $5 per person. Team members 1-3 will receive a $5 refund once member 4 joins. Member 4+ will automatically pay $5 less. Join in the fun!
Early packet pick up: Friday, October 16th from 5pm to 6:30pm at YMCA 127 W. Wesley St. (near picnic tables and County National Bank playground)
Race day packet pick up: Will begin at 8:00 AM at the race start area.
Get a cool race T-shirt: T-shirt is guaranteed with paid registration by end of day 10/4. We are offering youth sizes S-XL, adult sizes S-XXXL. Sizes are not guaranteed after 10/4.
Team awards: Award for the Largest Team, the Most Spirited Team, and the Largest Fundraising Team. See "Teams" at the top of the page for more information.
Schedule: Kids Fun Run starts at 9:00 AM. 5k Run/Walk starts at 9:30 AM.
Volunteers: Volunteers are needed before, during and after the race. For more information, please contact aparshall@bbbsjackson.org
FAQ section can be found at the top of the page.
The race will be professionally chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. Results will be posted during the race and online at the results tab, top of the page.
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
60°
Typical Low
41°
Chance of Rain
37%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Jackson Reynolds Fld, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Jackson, MI
Population
31,206
as of 2023
City Elevation
932 ft
Nearest Airport
LAN
Capital Region International Airport · 38 mi
Major Hub
DTW
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport · 54 mi
Time Zone
Eastern 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 Big Miles for Little Smiles, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
116
Days to train
- Race
- Big Miles for Little Smiles
- Date
- October 18, 2026
- Location
- Ella Sharp Park, Jackson, MI
Coming Up
More Running races near Jackson, MI
Clark Lake Run
5K · Other · From $8 · 3509 Ocean Beach Road
10 miles away
Heart of a Lion 5K Run/Walk *All proceeds benefit the Jackson Area 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS*
5K · From $30 · 2800 Fourth St.
2 miles away
MC Cardinal Color Run 5k Run/Walk
5K · From $25 · 400 S State St
4 miles away
Henry Ford Race to Health
2 Mile / 3K · 5K · From $25 · Cascades Park
Less than a mile 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 Big Miles for Little Smiles?
- Big Miles for Little Smiles is a running race held in Jackson, Michigan on October 18, 2026. 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 Big Miles for Little Smiles?
- Sunday, October 18, 2026 in Jackson, Michigan at Ella Sharp Park. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Big Miles for Little Smiles?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Big Miles for Little Smiles
Oct 18, 2026