The "Downtown Cartersville 5K" (and a 1K Fun Run) to support Backpack Buddies

TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!   Please Join us for the 10th Annual Running of the “Downtown Cartersville 5K” to benefit Backpack Buddies!  Saturday morning August 29th. 2026!!!

EVENT DESCRIPTION:

Get ready celebrate a milestone!! As we lace 'em up once again for the 10th Annual Downtown Cartersville 5K to benefit the Backpack Buddies Program!!  The always-popular 1K Fun Run ('Lap-the-Courthouse') for the little ones, will finish under the banner like the big folks!  Let's DO this!!

This popular 5K will start & finish in historic Downtown Cartersville, with a scenic route that encircles downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods. This race promises to produce a good time for all, no matter your age!  As a USATF-CERTIFIED 5K COURSE (Certification #GA18034WC), it is a Peachtree Road Race Qualifier!  

Please plan to hang around after the 5K for age group awards presentations, while enjoying sponsors' tents and treats and LIVE music!   This is an awesome way to start your weekend and support a worthy cause! 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!!  If you are interested in being a sponsor - please contact Lori Shook ([email protected]) 

EVENT DETAILS & SCHEDULE 
6:30am     Race Day Registration begins
7:30am     Race Day Registration ends
7:58am     Wheelchair Race Start
8:00am     5K Run/Walk Start
9:00am     1K Fun Run Start
9:20am     Awards Ceremony 

REGISTRATION INFO:
Pre-Race, on-line Registration will be open until 11:00pm, Sunday, August 23rd. 2026. (Be sure to pre-register to guarantee your T-shirt size!) 
Pre-race Race Registration Fees are:
*$35 for the 5K and $25 for the Fun Run.  (Note: We cannot guarantee your T-Shirt Size if you register on Race Day!!)
Race Day Rates are:
*$45 for the 5K and $30 for the Fun Run. 

PACKET PICK UP: 
Pre-Race Packet Pick-Up for those that are pre-registered will be held Friday, August 28th  from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM at the Big Peach Running. Co. - Cartersville Store!  Located at 402 E. Church St., Cartersville, GA 30121. Given the size of this race, please make every effort to pick up your packet on Friday to avoid the lines on Saturday morning! 

PARKING:  Parking is available in the large parking lot* between The Bartow County Courthouse and Sam Jones Methodist Church, located at 135 West Cherokee Avenue in downtown Cartersville.  Additional parking is available in the Tabernacle Baptist Church Parking lot between Tabernacle Baptist Church and the Booth Museum of Western Art. Parking is also available in limited areas surrounding Downtown Cartersville. Please note there is NO PARKING available in and around Friendship Plaza on Race Day Morning!  

5K COURSE:
The 5K is a USATF-CERTIFIED COURSE and a Peachtree Road Race Qualifier.  (Certification #GA18034WC)

The Starting Line is located just west of the the intersection(s) of Church Street and Bartow Street, facing East on Church St. (at the intersection of Church and Jones St.)

The Finish Line is located inside Friendship Plaza off of Cherokee Ave.  
Please note the separate locations of the Start line & Finish line. 
All 5K runners/5K wheelchair athletes must complete the attached wavier prior to race start.

The 1K Fun Run will make one loop, counterclockwise, around the Courthouse Block before finishing at the common finish line, downtown inside Friendship Plaza by the train depot in front of the ROARING CROWD!!!

5K AWARDS:
Top 3 Overall M&F
Top 3 Masters M&F
Overall Wheelchair M&F
Top 3 in each of the following Age Categories M&F:
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

RACE RESULTS:   Post Race, Results can be found on www.wire2wirerunning.com after the race under the tab 'RACE RESULTS.'  Also, check out some of our other great races you may wish to enter under the 'CALENDAR' link.  

This is a Rain or Shine Event!

PAST WINNERS:

2025 Winners: Simon Schabort 17:43....Grace McLemore 21:44....Wheelchair, Krige Schabort 17:34

2024 Winners: Mario Singer 18:21.....Kelly Ann Sutterfield 18:48.....Wheelchair, Colby Higgins 16:13

2023 Winners:  Zach Czerniak 17:19 (Course Record).....Emma Ruffin 21:26....

2022 Winners:  Mario Singer 19:25.....Sherry Spinks 21:47....Wheelchair, Colby Higgins 15:06

2021 Winners: Omar Hernandez 18:22…..Sherry Spinks 21:07….Wheelchair, Krige Schabort 14:37 (Course Record)

2020 Winners: Andy Bishop, 18:09.....Sherry Spinks, 19:42....Wheelchair, Brad Smith 17:26

2019 Winners: Alex Rios, 18:48.....Sherry Spinks, 21:34....Wheelchair, Brad Smith 15:01 

2018 Winners: Bill Archer, 18:26.....Jill Braley, 18:45 (Course Record)

2017 Winners: Max Florence, 19:10.....Jodi Blackwell, 21:17