Be Free 5K & 1K FUN RUN

Nise’s Race

Nise’s Race was created in loving memory of Catherine Denise Owens Thompson, affectionately known as “Nise.” She was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and a faithful servant at her church. On October 13, 2018, after a courageous five-year battle with cervical cancer, she passed away at the age of 56.

What You Should Know About Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is Preventable.

Through regular check-ups, health screenings, and the HPV vaccine, women can take proactive steps to prevent and or detect cervical cancer in its early stages when it's most treatable.

What You Should Know About Nise

Nise had an outgoing personality and love radiated from her. She was a people person, a hugger, and a woman of deep purpose. She found fulfillment in working with children, dedicating her career as a paraprofessional at Scoggins Middle School and Dallas Elementary School.

She was also a devoted wife to Army veteran Larry Thompson, sharing 36 years of marriage and living out their vows "until death do us part." She leaves behind three daughters and two grandsons, along with a legacy of kindness, love, and service.

What You Should Know About Nikki

Her daughter, Nikki, is a health and fitness enthusiast with a passion for helping others. Inspired by her mother’s memory, she is committed to taking action and making a difference in women's health.

Our Mission

We are on a mission to help as many women as possible prioritize their health because when women are physically and mentally well, they lead happier and fulfilled lives. Healthy and fulfilled women build strong families, and thriving families create vibrant and prosperous communities.

All life begins with a woman. When we enlighten her and empower her, we ignite a spark that will inspire generations to come.

Join us for a fun, active family event in support of a great cause. Your participation means the world to us and together, we can help save lives.

💙 Hud’s Heart 5K & Fun Run ❤️

Running With Purpose • Honoring Hud • Raising CHD Awareness

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

— Proverbs 4:23

Join us during American Heart Month for the 4th Annual Hud’s Heart 5K & Fun Run, a purpose-driven community event created to raise awareness for Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) and to honor the life, memory, and lasting legacy of Hud.

This special event brings together runners, walkers, families, and supporters of all ages to move with purpose.

This event is more than a race — it is a mission. Every step taken represents hope for families impacted by CHD, awareness for hearts still fighting, and remembrance for hearts gone too soon. The timed 5K welcomes runners seeking competition or personal achievement, while the Fun Run offers a family-friendly, inclusive option for children, walkers, and supporters of all ages.

Every step taken helps shine a light on CHD, supports families impacted by congenital heart conditions, and keeps Hud’s heart beating through awareness, community, and hope. Whether you’re running for a cause, walking in remembrance, or cheering from the sidelines — your presence matters.

Our Mission:

Hud’s Heart exists to bring light to CHD, support families walking this journey, and turn loss into lasting purpose. Through events like this 5K, we honor Hud by serving others, building community, and reminding the world that even the smallest hearts can leave the biggest impact.

Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, you are helping carry Hud’s heart forward — spreading awareness, compassion, and hope.

Together, we can run like a warrior! ❤️💙

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Hebrews 12:1

Hosted by the City of Dallas (Georgia)

Paulding Public Safety Appreciation, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money, awareness and support for members of public safety! Our annual Run with the Badges 5K Glow Run is our biggest fundraising event of the year and in 2024 we had a record-breaking number of runners and raised record breaking funds to assist public safety personnel during their times of need.

In 2025, Paulding Public Safety Appreciation, Inc. was able to provide more than $75,000 in support to local public safety families right here in Paulding County. We sponsored 7 families for Christmas, hosted 5 fundraisers for public safety families facing hardship, and helped in countless other ways.

Registered runners will receive a CUSTOM Run with the Badges 5K Glow Run t-shirt, a swag bag full of goodies from our local vendors and sponsors, as well as a custom GLOW IN THE DARK finisher medal!

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals will be given to the top three male and female finishers in the following age groups:

male 10 & under, female 10 & under

male 11-14, female 11-14

male 15-19, female 15-19

male 20-29, female 20-29

male 30-39, female 30-39

male 40-49, female 40-49

male 50-59, female 50-59

male 60-69, female 60-69

male 70-over, female 70-over

The 1st place overall male and female winner will receive a custom award!

For those who do not want to run, but still want to share in the fun with a t-shirt purchase, go to our website www.pauldingpsa.org to pre-order!

Gates for the event will open at 5pm with a vendor display to include music, fun things to do and see! Same Day registration will be available until approximately 8:30pm. We will kick off opening ceremonies at 8:15pm with a presentation of the flag from Paulding County's Honor Guard. Race start promptly at 9pm.

Please make plans TODAY! To JOIN US! For the 3rd. Annual Running of the “Donut Dash 5K” hosted by the Haralson County Sheriff’s Foundation! Saturday Morning - August 1st - 9:00 AM Race Start! This fundraiser is for all of the youth programs that The Haralson County Sheriff’s Foundation hosts including the C.H.A.M.P.S Program, the Car Seat Program, and “Cadets”! We know you will LOVE the Race around that meanders in and around beautiful downtown Buchanan, GA! We are SUPER Excited about our amazing year-3 event and do hope you will make plans to join us for an AWESOME Summer-time Race Event!

Interested in being a sponsor? Please contact Deputy Atkins at [email protected]

Race Registration Fees:

*$30 Pre-Race Registration Fee (Runs until 11:59 PM Sunday evening, July 26th. You must register by this date to guarantee your T-shirt size and lock in at the reduced rate!)

*$40 Race Day Registration Fee

Race Location / 5K Start-Finish & Race Day Parking:

Race Starts and Finishes in beautiful downtown Buchanan, GA (Please scroll down for route map.) adjacent to the Buchanan-Haralson Public Library located at 145 Van Wert St. Enjoy the super-scenic small town feel to this fast race route! There is also plenty of parking in and around the route in downtown Buchanan, so don’t sweat that!

Race Day Schedule of Events:

*7:30 AM: Race Day Registration & Race Day Packet Pick-Up Opens

*8:55 AM Pre-Race Announcements

*9:00 AM 5K Start Time

*10:15 AM Awards Presentation

*10:16 AM (or 'round about there....FREE DONUTS!!!)

Pre-Race Packet Pick-up for those pre-registered:

Pre-Registration Packet Pick Up will be held Friday, July 31st from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office located 137 Hayes-Glass Dr. Breman, GA 30110. Please make every effort to pick up if possible to avoid race day lines!

Awards:

Awards will be given to the following:

*Top 3 Overall Male and Top 3 Overall Female Winners

*Top Masters Male and Top Masters Female Winners

*Top 3 Male & Female in the following Age Categories: 14-Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over.

Please note, this is a rain or shine event.

And Please plan to join us post-race for free donuts!

TRIATHLON, DUATHLON, AQUABIKE: SPRINT DISTANCE EVENT

RACE INFORMATION

• Registration cutoff is 6:00 AM on race day or when field limit is reached if earlier

• Field limit is 500

• T-shirts are NOT guaranteed if you sign up after August 29

• Transition Area: Bike racks are coordinated to match with your assigned race number. Place your bike in the rack corresponding with your number

• Body Marking: All athletes will be marked with race number and age

• Swim Caps: Swim caps are provided in your race packet and must be worn. Your cap color identifies your swim start position

EVENT TIMELINE

• 6:00 a.m. Park opens

• 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. Check-in

• 7:30 a.m. Report to the beach for the swim seed positioning and duathlon course start

• 7:45 a.m. Start sequence information and last minute course updates

• 8:00 a.m. Race starts

• 11:00 a.m. Awards ceremony begins

TRIATHLON COURSE:

Swim Course: The 600 meter swim course is a triangle shape with the swim start and exit at the shoreline area marked by large START and FINISH signs. The wetsuit ruling will be made when the USAT Official takes the race day water temperature reading on the morning of the race. Wetsuits are legal when the water temperature is below 78 degrees.The swim portion of the race will be conducted in a time trial start with athletes lining up in race number sequence and starting every 5 seconds.

Bike Course: The bike course is 13.8 miles. The course is a clockwise loop course that follows the main road out of the park onto smooth, paved county roads. The course is characterized as rolling hills to flat with a few sections of up/downhill portions. Turns will be marked with staff/sheriff personnel. The course is marked with directional signs and mile markers are provided every two miles.

Run Course: The 5 kilometer run course is a loop design with the first mile taking place around the park lake on a flat, paved trail. The second mile travels along an unpaved park road onto a paved county road to the turnaround. The final mile travels back along the county paved road and unpaved park road. You will finish across the paved road on the lake dam.

DUATHLON COURSE:

The first run leg starts at the lake dam vicinity of the swim start and follows the triathlon run course in reverse. The bike leg is the same as the triathlon course. The final run leg is the same as the triathlon course.

AQUABIKE COURSE:

All Aquabikers start in the time trial swim start and complete the same swim and bike course as the triathletes. After completing the bike course, athletes should rack their bike and exit transition with the runners (opposite the bike in and out) and go around transition to the finish line. Aquabikers will find a green wrist band in their packets to be worn during the race to help distinguish you.

COURSE MAP:

Course maps are available below and will also be included in your race packet.

RULES:

All Tri the Parks races are USAT Sanctioned. All USAT rules are in effect. Approved helmets only, no drafting, and no blocking. All rules will be enforced by USAT Officials to ensure a safe and fair competition. All participants, including relay team members, must be a USAT member or have purchased a one-day license ($15) during registration.

PARKING:

Parking opens at 6:00 AM and will begin immediately inside the park gate with volunteer attendants who will direct you to a space. It is a short walk to transition, but please remember your photo ID (and USAT card if you have one) with you to the registration area.