5K races near Cullman

The Thankful 4... 5K and Fun Run is a Thanksgiving morning race series. Its original four-mile run is based at NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana, starting at 8:00 AM. This flagship event has drawn crowds of nearly 1,000 runners. A Colorado edition also runs at 8:00 AM from Golden High School in Golden, Colorado, attracting local friends and families annually. The series originated as I’m Thankful Four and evolved into a Thanksgiving gathering honoring Kelsey Mikel after her passing in a car accident. All event proceeds support the Kelsey Mikel Memorial Foundation, which grants scholarships to high school students. The foundation has awarded 39 scholarships totaling over $111,000, making the race a holiday run and a fundraiser with a distinct local mission.

The First Priority Decatur 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run takes place on a Saturday morning, starting at Decatur Baptist Church on Danville Road SW in Decatur, Alabama. It features a standard 5k race and a shorter one-mile option. The fun run begins after the 5k concludes. Registration is affordable, with distinct fees for the 5k and the mile. Early registrants will receive a race T-shirt. The event benefits First Priority / Clothe Our Kids campus ministries, assisting students in Morgan, Lawrence, and Cullman counties. Packet pickup is also at Decatur Baptist Church, where participants receive bibs, shirts, and sponsor materials. A downloadable route map is available for the course, and volunteers will be stationed along the route to encourage runners at each turn.