Because of the Brave 5K

Join us for our 13th Annual Cahaba Medical Care 5K (formerly known as the Watermelon Run / Rockets & Rapids 5K) to be held on Saturday, July 11th in Centreville, Alabama!

This annual 5K Run/Walk is a vital event that brings our community together to support Cahaba Medical Care's mission to provide comprehensive healthcare and outreach programs to those in need. By participating in this event, you're not just taking strides for your own health; you're directly contributing to the well-being of countless individuals across our communities. Every dollar raised goes directly towards impactful services such as medical care for uninsured patients, essential medications, mental health counseling, and support for families facing financial hardships. Whether you're running, walking, or cheering, your involvement helps us bridge the healthcare gap, ensuring everyone has access to the care they deserve.

From providing a child with necessary preventive care to supporting emergency dental services, EVERY contribution makes a difference! We invite you to join us in this celebration of community and compassion, where your participation can ignite change and foster hope in the hearts of many. Let's lace up our running shoes and rally together for a cause that extends far beyond the finish line – because in the race for better healthcare, every step counts!

ABOUT CAHABA MEDICAL CARE: Cahaba Medical Care is a nonprofit Community Health Center with 27 clinic locations throughout Central Alabama in Bibb, Perry, Chilton, Jefferson, Wilcox, and Shelby Counties. We’re headquartered in Centreville, Alabama, approximately two blocks from the Cahaba River. Founded in 2004, we’re celebrating 22 joyful years of service to our communities!

ABOUT THE EVENT: The Cahaba Medical Care 5K welcomes all ages and skill levels - feel free to race hard for your age group prize or come out to walk/jog your first 5K with many other first-timers! The race starts and ends at the Cahaba Medical Care Community Center, crosses the beautiful Cahaba River twice and includes an extended scenic view of the Cahaba River, as well as historic uptown Centreville. We will have liberal hydration stations with sprinklers, so please come on out and brave the heat!

Racers should plan to come early and stay late for the awesome before and after party festivities! The 5K is held each year in conjunction with the Celebration on the Green community event, which includes numerous on-site vendors and activities starting at 5PM. At the 5K finish line, we’ll be serving ice-cold watermelon slices and a delicious meal… then, stick around for the best Independence Day Fireworks Celebration this side of Disney World at 9PM, courtesy of our partner hospital, Bibb Medical Center, the cities of Brent & Centreville, and South Bibb Parks & Recreation!

The Cahaba Medical Care 5K is now a USA Track & Field Certified Course! USATF Track ID: AL22021JE

Race Map and Cue Sheet on Strava!

**Make sure to take advantage of our Early Bird Registration - only $30 if you register by May 31st!

For sponsorship information, please contact Courtney Allen at [email protected].

Event Description

The 2nd annual Raffle Run is a go! As always, our goal is to motivate you to do your best. However, for Raffle Run, our focus is to be insanely generous to the runners that come to our events. We will be giving away around $2,500 worth of prizes at Raffle Run. No strings attached! Literally, it’s that simple. Runners/walkers of all ages are welcome. At this event, you can literally be the slowest runner/walker and still win BIG!

Have you ever wanted to be a part of a raffle drawing where there is no limit to the number of raffle tickets you can have in the raffle? Do you also enjoy running/walking and pushing yourself? Well, Raffle Run is just for you. This is the most unique raffle you’ve ever heard of or ever been a part of. You control the number of raffle tickets you get based solely on your effort. Raffle tickets are only earned at this event and are NOT for sale. So, how does it work?

Runners will receive a Raffle Run wristband at packet pick-up. You must keep this wristband on your wrist, and it must be visible at all times to receive your raffle ticket upon completion of each lap. Without this wristband, you will not receive any raffle tickets during the event.

Once the event starts, runners will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete as many laps as they possibly can. (We have listed this event as a 5K, 10K, 1.5 Hour Run. However, this is only for the purpose of people being able to search for this event. The distance is totally up to you based on your effort. You can run one lap or twenty laps. We're good with either. Just know, the more laps you complete, the more chances you have to win the prizes given away at the end of the event. Strategy is key!) Upon completion of each lap, runners will receive a raffle ticket that corresponds with the prize they want to be in the drawing for. Only completed laps count. The runner must keep their raffle ticket until the conclusion of the event when the prize drawings occur. There will be five prizes given away at the conclusion of the event. If you happen to lose your ticket, no replacement tickets will be given under any circumstances. Keep up with all your tickets!

For example, a runner completes their first lap and wants to be in the drawing for prize #2. As the runner completes the lap, the runner runs through the lane corresponding with prize #2 and receives a raffle ticket for prize #2. The runner continues to run, and this cycle continues until the hour and a half is up. Runners can receive a ticket for any prize they choose and there is no limit to the number of tickets they can earn for each prize.

At 8:45 AM sharp, the raffle drawing will begin, and prizes will be awarded. To win the prize, the participant must be present, and the matching ticket must be presented to the race director.

Schedule

5:30 AM - 6:30 AM – Packet Pickup/Check-In

6:45 AM – Pre-race briefing

7:00 AM – Race begins

8:30 AM – Race cutoff

8:45 AM – Raffle drawing

The Prizes

There will be a total of 5 prizes given away at this year’s event. However, we are changing the format a little bit this year to increase your chances of winning. For prize #3 below, 3 raffle tickets will be drawn and each winner will receive $200. For prize #4, 2 raffle tickets will be drawn and each winner will receive 5 ounces of pure silver. The following is a list of prizes that will be given away:

#1 Carnival Cruise Lines $500 Gift Card

#2 Southwest Airlines $500 Gift Card

#3 $600 Cash Money

#4 Pure Silver (Approximately $500 Value)

#5 Pure Gold (Approximately $600 Value)

Course Description

The approximate 1.25-mile course will wind through the beautiful Veterans Park in Hoover, AL. The course will be well marked and consists of both paved surfaces and trails.

Time and Location

Saturday, August 1, 2026 @ 7:00 AM

Raffle Run will be held at Veterans Park in Hoover, Alabama.

Address: 4800 Valleydale Road Hoover, AL 35242

The GPS coordinates of the parking lot you’ll want to park in are: (33.3899887, -86.7267562)

Packet Pickup

There is no early packet pickup for this event. Race day packet pickup will be at the start/finish line which will be located at the pavilion by the playgrounds at Veterans Park. There will be plenty of parking and access to restrooms.

Runners will receive a custom Raffle Run wristband. This is how the race directors will identify you as a participant to receive your raffle ticket upon completion of each lap. On your final lap, runners will return their wristband in exchange for their final raffle ticket and finisher's medal.

Swag

All runners will receive a finisher's medal upon completion of their last lap. Runners can earn unlimited raffle tickets for your chance to win the prizes.

Aid Station

We will provide one water station during the course at the start/finish line area. Runners will be able to hydrate at the start/finish line area. However, no food will be provided at this event, only really awesome prizes.

Refunds

We understand things happen in training and in life itself. However, no refunds will be given to any runner for this competition. In the event you can find another runner to take your spot, you can transfer your entry to them. You can also defer your entry to next year’s event. Just email us and we will make sure to get it taken care of.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this event, contact us at [email protected]

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