2026 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day

Cookie Fix Cookie Crusher VH5K/10K– A Sweet Race for a Magical Cause!

The Cookie Fix Cookie Crusher VH5K/10K is the first race of the year with the Alabama Race Series, brought to you by the team behind BHM26.2! Presented by Cookie Fix, this deliciously fun race takes place at Heights Village in Vestavia Hills on Saturday, April 11th!

This event isn’t just about crushing miles—it’s about making life sweeter for children in Alabama. ALL proceeds benefit Magic Moments, the only wish-granting organization dedicated exclusively to children in Alabama facing chronic life-threatening or acute life-altering conditions.

This extra sweet event has something for everyone with three exciting race options: a fun and challenging 5K, our brand-new 10K for those ready to go the extra miles, and the exciting Kid’s 200-Yard Dash for our youngest runners.

The 5K is perfect for runners and walkers alike, while the new 10K offers a longer challenge for seasoned racers looking to test their endurance. Little athletes won’t want to miss the Kid’s 200-Yard Dash, a short, high-energy sprint that lets kids of all ages experience the thrill of race day.

Registration is required for all events, including the Kid’s Dash, so sign up today and don’t miss out on this deliciously fun race experience!

Following the race, participants and their families can enjoy a city-sponsored After-Party in Heights Village, open to the public. More details coming soon!

What’s in store for all runners?

🍪 A post-race treat from Cookie Fix- Because every finisher deserves a sweet reward!

🍪 Exclusive race swag- Look forward to a one-of-a-kind finisher’s medal and a race T-shirt

🍪 Supporting a magical mission- Every step you take helps grant life-changing Magic Moments for Alabama children.

Time of Events:

7:45 AM – Cookie Crusher 10K Start

8:00 AM - Cookie Crusher 5K Start

9:00 AM – Kids 200-Yd Dash Start

Packet Pick Up: (Cookie Fix Cahaba Heights)

Friday, April 10th: 4PM - 6PM

Saturday, April 11th (Race Day): 6AM - 7:30AM

For most up to date information check our instagram @alabamaraceseries or website www.alabamaraceseries.com!

Race Description

If you like whiskey, wine, and running 5k races, then this event is a perfect match for you. Welcome to the 2nd annual Whiskey and Wine 5K. This is a one-of-a-kind event where participants can not only run a 5K but also enjoy an optional whiskey and wine tasting while doing it. Participants will be able to try a different whiskey and/or wine every half mile along the 5K course. If you’re doing the math, that’s 6 different tastings throughout the course! After completing the 5K course and 6 tastings of various whiskies and wines, you will be able to choose which bottle of whiskey or wine you want to take home with you as our gift to you.

We will provide three different wines and three different whiskies for your enjoyment on the course. The exact flavors will be kept a secret until the day of the event. However, participants can expect to taste unique whiskies and wines. For example, no Jack Daniels whiskey and no Barefoot wine.

Race Course

The course is a one loop, 5K course. The course will be clearly marked with signs and flagging tape. It will pass by Lake Tranquility at Oak Mountain State Park. There will be some elevation so be prepared!

Event Rules

All participants will receive a custom wristband at packet pick-up. Participants must wear this wristband while running the 5K course. When arriving at a tasting, if you are not wearing your wristband, you will not be able to taste any whiskey or wine. There will be NO exceptions to this rule. All participants must be 21 or older. There will be NO alcohol sales at this event.

Race Location and Packet Pickup

The Whiskey and Wine 5K will be held at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. There is no early packet pickup for this event. Race day packet pickup will be at the Redbud Pavilion (33.349113, -86.728967). Plug these GPS coordinates into Google Maps and it will bring you straight to the start/finish line. There will be plenty of parking and access to restrooms. Packet pickup will be from 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM. Participants must bring their photo ID for positive identification and age verification. NO exceptions.

A pre-run briefing will take place at 3:45 PM. The event begins at 4:00 PM sharp. Runners will receive a custom wristband at packet pickup upon proof of identification and age verification. The wristband will serve as your “ticket” to be able to taste the whiskey and wine along the course if you choose.

Awards, Swag

There will not be any awards given for finishing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in this event. Always do your best! But, if you liked the wine you tasted at the fourth tasting (mile 2), you get to take a bottle of that wine home with you as our gift to you to commemorate your participation in this event. The bottle of whiskey or wine is your finisher’s medal, if you will. Once you finish running the course, your wristband will be taken in exchange for your bottle of whiskey or wine.

We will have the same number bottles as we do runners. For example, if 100 runners show up for the 5K, we will have 100 bottles of whiskey/wine as finisher medals, our gift to you. So, what does that mean for you, the runner? If you want to take home the exact bottle of whiskey or wine of your choosing, run really fast! As soon as each runner finishes the course, they can pick the bottle of their choice. As runners finish, bottles start to disappear. So, for example, if you finish in 15th place in the example of 100 runners, you’ll be able to get the bottle of whiskey or wine of your choice. However, if you finish 85th, it is likely you will not get your first choice. The whiskey or wine you enjoyed the most may be gone. In this case, you’ll have to choose from what remains. Bottom line… RUN FAST!

Aid Stations

One aid station will be set up at the halfway point of the course. Another aid station will be set up at the end of the course. We will provide water for the participants at both aid stations.

Refunds

We understand things happen in training and in life itself. However, no refunds will be given to any participant for this event. In the event you can find another runner to take your spot, you can transfer your entry to them. Just email us and we will make sure to get them registered using your entry fee.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at therunningbirds11@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook @ The Running Birds, https://www.facebook.com/runningbirds11, to keep up with all our other events! Remember to Like and Share!

The Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue 5K Meow-A-Thon is a 5k race and the Whisker Walk is a 1 mile fun run/walk benefiting Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue, a no-kill, cage-free shelter for cats and kittens.

The race will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Hoover, AL. Veterans Park offers a varied terrain for running, including fields, trails and pavement.

The race will be held rain or shine. In the event of severe weather we will operate on a delay. Check-in begins at 7:00 am. The 5K Meow-A-Thon will start at 8:00 am. The 1 mile Whisker walk/run will start at 9:30. This will allow time for 5k awards and to allow 5k runners to participate with family in the whisker walk!

Register online through midnight May 1, 2026.

The entry fee for the 5k Meow-a-Thon is $25, or $15 for children 10 and under.

The entry fee for the 1 mile Whisker walk/run is $15, or $5 for children 10 and under.

Packet pickup will be available Friday May 1st at Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue, 3432 Old Columbiana Rd Birmingham, AL 35226 between 12:30pm and 6pm. You may also register in person at Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue Friday May 1st between 12:30pm and 6pm.

Packet pickup and day of registration will be available Saturday morning May 2nd at Veterans Park starting at 7am.

Meow-A-Thon entry fee the day of the race is $30, or $20 for children 10 and under.

Whisker Walk entry fee the day of the race is $20, or $10 for children 10 and under.

If you don't want to run but want the T-shirt? Or have opted for the 1Mile Whisker Walk (which does not include a race shirt). You can order a shirt from the Race Store - Just click on the "More" menu item and select "Store'. Shirts must be picked up at the Haven or the day of the race. There will be no shipping option. We will do our best to guarantee sizes but due to the order deadline for the T-shirt, signups after April 15th cannot be guaranteed their selected size.

Prizes will be awarded for overall male and female 5k finishers (1st thru 3rd) as well as age group awards for male and female 1st thru 3rd finishers!

We have made it our mission to save abandoned, stray, and injured animals, provide them with the care they need in a safe and loving environment, and adopt them into forever homes. To find out more about Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue visit our website at http://www.kittykathavenrescue.org or join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kittykathavenrescue .

👑🐝 Queen Bee 5K & 10K

📍 Heardmont Park | Shelby County, Alabama

📅 May 2, 2026

Presented by Title Sponsor: SouthernBiotech

Dearest Ladies,

You are cordially invited to take your place at the starting line of the Queen Bee 5K & 10K — a celebration of strength, confidence, and community designed exclusively for women of all paces and experience levels.

Whether you run with spirited determination, walk with purposeful grace, or are toeing the line for your very first race, this event welcomes you. Fast or steady, competitive or celebratory — every queen belongs here.

👶 Pram Division Available

We proudly offer a stroller-friendly division for mothers wishing to stride alongside their little ones. Because queens raise future kings and queens.

🎀 High Tea Celebration

Upon crossing the finish line, join us for a post-race High Tea — a festive and elegant gathering where accomplishments are toasted and friendships are celebrated.

✨ What to Expect:

• A supportive, women-centered race environment

• Beautiful race swag

• A welcoming community atmosphere

• A celebratory finish line experience

• Post-race High Tea reception

We are deeply grateful to SouthernBiotech for serving as our 2026 Title Sponsor and helping us create empowering spaces for women to move boldly and confidently.

The season awaits its sovereign.

Register today and prepare to reign.

— Finish Line Events