Tuscaloosa · United States
5K races near Tuscaloosa
11 races in 2026
next one in 1 days
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Race calendar
Upcoming 5K races near Tuscaloosa
This week 1
3JUL
Run · road · 5K
Freedom Festival Elkhorn 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Amputee Blade Runners
Pelham · 68 km away
JUL 3
11JUL
Run · road · 5K
Cahaba Medical Care 5K
Centreville · 47 km away
18JUL
Run · road · 5K
Run Magic City
Birmingham · 76 km away
29JUL
Run · road · 5K
Trak Shak Twilight 5K Retro Run
Birmingham · 77 km away
AUG 4
1AUG
Run · road · 5K
Raffle Run
Birmingham · 78 km away
+6 more 5K racesShow fewer ↓
15AUG
Run · trail · 5K
King of the Mountain
Pelham · 77 km away
29AUG
Run · road · 5K
Smile-A-Mile (SAM) 5K
Birmingham · 77 km away
29AUG
Run · road · 5K
Lifeline's R(un) for One 5K
Hoover · 78 km away
SEP 3
12SEP
Run · road · 5K
H.O.P.E. 5K: Running for Survivors
Alabaster · 67 km away
19SEP
Run · road · 5K
Hold the Fort 10K, 5K, & 1 Mile Warrior Walk
Pelham · 68 km away
19SEP
Run · road · 5K
Head Over Teal 5K & 10K
Hoover · 66 km away
Tuscaloosa · 80 km
11 races mapped
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Recurring 5K races near Tuscaloosa
Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly
Tuscaloosa Oktoberfest 5K
The Tuscaloosa Oktoberfest 5K is a morning 5K race in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, presented by Mercedes-Benz U.S. International. It begins at 8:00 a.m. CDT and concludes around 9:00 a.m. The race is limited to the first 1,000 participants, making it a focused local event rather than a large, all-day competition.
The course concludes at its starting point. The Oktoberfest theme is reflected in the race amenities: registration provides a 5K shirt, an Oktoberfest beer stein, and one complimentary beer from an Oktoberfest vendor for participants 21 and older. The event also links registration to fundraising; donations exceeding $50 during signup will cover the entry fee, and fundraisers collecting at least $50 will have their race fee reimbursed.
Jimmie Hale Mission Rescue Run 5K & 10K
The Jimmie Hale Mission Rescue Run is a morning race in downtown Homewood, offering 5K and 10K routes for those seeking standard road-race distances. A 1-mile costume fun run is also part of the event, allowing children, walkers, and less competitive participants to engage without needing to complete the longer races.
The Jimmie Hale Mission hosts this event, attracting approximately 300 runners and additional spectators. The setup features a DJ, T-shirts and swag bags for participants, health screenings provided by Southern Immediate Care, and a sensory-sensitive station. These elements contribute to a wider community atmosphere beyond a typical race day.
9th Annual Birmingham, AL Ostomy 5k
The Birmingham Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k is a 5k race held at EBSCO Industries West Gate Park at Railroad Park, with a 1 Mile Walk/Fun Run occurring the same morning. This event serves as the local Birmingham, Alabama stop in the Ostomy 5k series, taking place on Ostomy Awareness Day. It is designed for runners, walkers, individuals using mobility devices, families, and those cheering from the sidelines. Race-day check-in begins early, followed by the 5k start, and then the mile event. Participants will receive their race bag, shirt, and bib on race morning.
The event supports the United Ostomy Associations of America, a nonprofit organization that provides resources, education, advocacy, and support for individuals living with an ostomy. Awards will be presented to top finishers in both Open and Ostomate categories. Participants have the option to form or join race groups, allowing friends, relatives, coworkers, and community teams to participate together. Fundraising. The event listing also details higher fundraising levels for Empower and Champion supporters. The organizer estimates that UOAA assists between 725,000 and 1 million people living with an ostomy.
The Homewood First Responders 5K & Fun Run
Trick or Trot 5K
The Trick or Trot 5K is a Halloween-themed race held at Washington Park. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. The event is designed for a diverse group including friends, families, neighbors, club runners, and casual participants. Chip timing is available for those seeking an official result.
The course features Halloween-themed setups such as a witch's village, ghouls, ghosts, and a pumpkin patch. Following the race, the event includes a DJ, vendors, decorations, giveaways, prizes for the best costumes, age-group awards, and random prize drawings. Registered runners will receive a wicking fabric shirt. Strollers are permitted, and those with strollers should begin near the back of the pack.
Chasing Freedom 5k
Chasing Freedom 5k is a 5k race in Northport, Alabama, beginning at 1400 Third Street at 8:00 a.m. It is a straightforward local road race with a $25 entry fee and race-day registration available until the start.
Runners may pick up packets the evening before at The Venue on Watermelon Road, and check in from 7:00 a.m. on race morning. The listing provides the essentials: a Northport start, a 5k distance, and a schedule suited for runners seeking a simple morning race.
QRF 5K - Miles for Mental Health
The QRF 5K - Miles for Mental Health is a 5K run/walk in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, starting at 2106 Sixth St. The race begins at 8:00 AM CST and focuses on veteran mental health. Registration is $45 until the price increases.
QRF stands for Quick Reaction Force. The race generates awareness and funds for veteran mental health support. Organizers aim to break stigma, connect veterans with resources, and bolster support for service members. The event's schedule was adjusted due to lower participation, giving it the character of a small, cause-driven race seeking to grow its local following.
2026 Jingle Bell Run - Birmingham, AL
The Jingle Bell Run in Birmingham, Alabama, is a holiday charity run organized by the Arthritis Foundation. It offers a timed 5K, an untimed 5K, a 1-mile fun run, and a virtual option, allowing participation as racers, walkers, families, or remote participants. The series has been running for forty years and is known as the original festive race for charity.
The event includes more than the run: there is food and drinks, kids' activities, entertainment, Santa, and holiday costume contests. Dogs on leashes, strollers, and wheelchairs are welcome, making the morning accessible for families and mixed groups. Awards are given to top finishers, top fundraising teams, and costume winners, while fundraising supports arthritis research, treatments, and programs for people living with arthritis.
MLK Day 5K/10K Drum Run - Birmingham
Rumpshaker 5K
The Rumpshaker 5K is a colorectal cancer run and walk held at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama. This 5K offers a family-friendly format for runners and walkers, with a clear objective: to raise awareness of colorectal cancer and fund efforts to fight and treat the disease.
The event is organized by Rumpshaker, Inc., a Birmingham non-profit established by friends and family in memory of Lisa Martz. Since 2009, the race has generated over a million dollars, with funds directed toward colorectal cancer treatment initiatives and support for survivors and those impacted by the disease. Fleet Feet Sports Birmingham is involved with the event, providing a local running store link and reinforcing its charitable mission.
Red Shoe Run: Rockin' 5K
The Red Shoe Run: Rockin' 5K begins at the Ronald McDonald House on 4th Avenue South in Birmingham, attracting over 800 participants. This annual fundraiser benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama, offering a 5K race for serious runners and a one-mile fun run suitable for families, children, and casual participants.
The event centers on the charity and the run itself. Ronald McDonald himself participates in the fun run, and a block party concludes the day after the race. Proceeds assist families with critically ill children by providing lodging near local hospitals; the Alabama house serves over 2,000 families annually. The event has generated more than $45,000. Local participants frequently describe it as one of Birmingham's most enjoyable races, citing the music, dancing, and the collective support for the Ronald McDonald House mission.
Whiskey and Wine 5K
The Whiskey and Wine 5K is an annual one-loop 5K at Oak Mountain State Park. The route passes Lake Tranquility and includes some elevation. It is designed for runners seeking a short race with an optional tasting integrated into the course: three whiskies and three wines are poured along the way.
The course is marked with signs and flagging tape, making the run straightforward despite the tasting stops. After finishing the 5K and all six tastings, participants select one featured bottle of whiskey or wine to keep. The bottle selection remains undisclosed until race day, and the choices are sourced from wineries and distilleries the organizers have personally visited.
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Other races in the next 90 days
About 5K races in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa Training Notes
Tuscaloosa hosts 26 5K races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
Runners get easy miles on the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, Randall Parkway Trail, and the Richard L. Platt Memorial Levee Trail. Locals use the levee in Northport when they want it less crowded than the Riverwalk, and Sokol trails work when dirt feels better than pavement. Fleet Feet Tuscaloosa keeps the week honest with Run With Us and a free Saturday Group Run at 6:00 am. Local race calendars usually point toward Brooks x Fleet Feet Tuscaloosa Big Run, Tuscaloosa Oktoberfest 5K, QRF 5K - Miles for Mental Health, and the Tuscaloosa Runners' Championship.
Cyclists get a good ride in fast because Tuscaloosa has 85 cycle routes tracked across 2,568 km. The shortest tracked route is 3 km with 32 m elevation. Druid City Bicycle Club, VeloCity Cycles, Tuscaloosa Cycling Club, Major Taylor Cycling Club of Alabama, and West Alabama Mountain Bike Association all give you wheels to follow. Gravel riders use Duncanville, Old Lock 15, and Frog Ridge, while climbers find the good bit of climbing on Dry Creek Hill, Old Lock 15, and the Duncanville: Gravel 6 route with 4,900 ft of climbing.
September and October treat both sports best, and most riders get out then for good reason. Summer gets so ridiculously hot and humid that locals move runs inside, start early, or keep the work to Z2 before the sun takes over. Cyclists still ride, but the city makes you earn every interval with sweat, bottles, and a real change of clothes. Winter lasts from mid-December to late-February, and runners get cooler air while cyclists come prepared with bright headlights when it gets dark early.