The Love Well 5k & Festival was created to be intentional in creating a way to bring larger scale awareness and fundraising for small-sized Memphis-based charitable organizations; to spread the love around the city of Memphis.
RUN. WALK. CRAWL. SHOP. EAT. LOVE MEMPHIS WELL.
Every Registration Includes
Great Swag - designer shirt
Custom medal
Chip-timing with live results and awards
Free photos
Great snacks at the finish line!
Plenty of fun!
Grab your friends and family, you are not going to want to miss this one!
*Youth-based pricing for the 5k/10k, 12 & Under are only $17!
*Register by midnight on Thursday, two Thursdays before race day, to guarantee your shirt!
2026 Lane Purser Memorial Road Race Series
Presented by the Memphis Runners Track Club
Join us for the 44th annual Road Race Series! The Road Race Series is:
Two 5ks in July, Cancer Survivors Park
Two 5 Milers in August, WJ Freeman Park
Two 10ks in September, Shelby Farms Park
Two 10 Milers in October, Meeman Shelby Forest State Park
Two Half Marathons, Martyrs Park
Click HERE for specifics on race dates and locations. All of the races take place on Sunday mornings with a start time of 7:00 AM with the exception of our 2nd Half Marathon (& Big River Crossing), which will be on a Saturday at 8:30 AM.
43rd Annual MightyMite Triathlon
July 18, 2026
8:00am
Forrest City, AR
1/3 mile swim - 13 mile bike - 3 mile run
Join us for one of the longest running triathlons in the United States on a special year as we are gearing up for a "HELLFIRE" event in Forrest City Arkansas. This point to point to point triathlon is a unique experience as you start your swim in beautiful Village Creek State Park. Then enjoy a gently rolling bike course with only 550ft of elevation gain and only a handful of turns on the entire 13 mile bike ride. As you enter the 2nd transition point at University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College you will begin your 3 mile run into downtown Forrest City where you will finish at the Chamber of Commerce. After you finish, enjoy a great post race party brought to you by the Forrest City Chamber of Commerce, including a fun picnic style atmosphere on their shaded grass lawn.
This is local triathlon racing at its BEST, and you won't want to miss out!!
Dragon Fly Triathlon & AquaBike will host the Mississippi Age Group and High school State Championship
State championships will have the following qualification criteria for Age Group Nationals:
State championships will qualify the top 35% or top five (5) finishers in an age group (whichever is greater). You may only qualify for Olympic-distance Nationals by placing in the Olympic-distance State Championship race or Sprint Nationals by placing in the sprint distance State Championship race.
High School Championship Awards:
1st Overall High School Club (based on score - lowest score wins)
1st Overall High School Club Participation (highest participation number wins)
¨ High School State Championships Exemption: All high school athletes who finish any of the State High School Championships will automatically qualify for Sprint-distance (pending they are at least age 15 as of December 31, 2026.)
Club State Championship Awards:
1st Overall USAT Club (based on score - Lowest score wins)
1st Overall USAT Club Participation (highest number of participation wins)
Scoring will follow standard cross-country scoring, in which the lowest point total among qualifying teams will be the winner.
¨ Host nor athletes need to do anything to confirm their qualification. USAT will notify athletes of qualification after Host submits results through the sanctioning process.
The 36th Annual DragonFly Sprint and Olympic Triathlon will have two distances to choose from 1500 meter swim, 40K Bike, 10K run and 750 meter swim, 20K bike, 5K run. The DragonFly Triathlon is located at Cypress Point on the Lower Lake at Sardis Lake Reservoir. The swim is always cool, refreshing and you will have a sandy beach entrance and exit. The bike course goes through farm land and is flat, flat, flat! The run is on pavement for 2 miles and on trails.
Race day registration is available but get there early!
Finishers Medals for all, pizza, watermelon, chips & ice cream by Prairie Farms; this will make a great early summer triathlon for your 2026 season.
Awards to overall Female and Male, Age Groups and Relays.
Packet Pickups & registration
Thursday July 23rd, 2026 -3:30 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Located at Bikes Plus - 7124 Stage Rd #115, Bartlett, TN 38133
Friday July 24th ; 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
Dragon Fly Sprint Triathlon Race Site
Cypress Creek Point
Lower Lake Sardis
Sardis, MS 38666
Saturday July 25th; 6:00 am -7:30 am
Dragon Fly Sprint Triathlon Race Site
Cypress Creek Point
Lower Lake Sardis
Sardis, MS 38666
Join us for the Heatwave Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K!
A sun-soaked summer challenge that’s perfect for the whole family.
The fun includes –
Great Swag – designer shirt & custom medal
Chip-timing with live results and awards
Free photos
FREE ice cream at the finish to help you cool off
Plenty of hot fun in the summer sun!
Grab your friends and family—you won’t want to miss this one!
Can’t make the race? No problem! We offer a virtual race option where you can run anywhere, at any time, and still earn the fun swag!
Youth-based pricing is available: ages 12 & under are only $17!
Half Marathon/10K/5K registration includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and an awesome finisher medal!
1 Mile registration is untimed and includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and an awesome finisher medal!
Kid’s Dash is a fun, untimed dash for ages 10 and under. Registration includes a mini bib, youth-sized shirt, and a specially crafted medal for our youngest runners! (If your child wants to run the kid’s dash without swag, they’re welcome to run free on race day!)
Register by midnight on Thursday, two Thursdays before race day, to guarantee your shirt!
Robbie’s Run is a powerful unity run designed to bring people together from all walks of life in the spirit of movement and community. We welcome runners and walkers both local and beyond to be part of this meaningful experience.
Join us for a one-mile walk or a 5K through the beautiful streets of Downtown Memphis as we move with purpose, connection, and unity.
All proceeds help support The Gloria Smith Foundation and their efforts to better serve Memphis communities in need.
North Mississippi’s Premier Cycling Event
Oxford, MS
Saturday
August 8th, 2026
The wait is over. Oxford MS has experienced the historic ice storm last Winter. Clean-up work for the streets is coming to an end. We welcome you back to the 2026 Velvet Ditch Grand Fondo cycling event. This year we have moved the date to August 8th and thank you to the Lafayette County and city of Oxford, we have a new road riding out this year. It will be a less hilly start.
The Velvet Ditch Gran Fondo is a non-competitive bicycle ride, meaning there will be no awards for fastest times. The ride will take place on open roads, so rider discretion is advised.
As long as you want to pedal, all bikes are welcome: Big Box Bikes, Commuter bikes, E-bikes, Gravel bikes, Mountain bikes, Recumbent bikes, Road bikes, Tandem bikes, etc.
What are new this year
Starting time: 7:00am to start for the Summer temperature
Start/Finish location: The concession stand of the mTrade park at 328 Old Sardis Rd, Oxford, MS 38655
Routes: All routes have updated due to new start/finish location
Packet pick up location: The pavilion at the mTrade Park
Pricing: Simplified and more affordable
2026 VDGF Merchandise
TBD
Fundraising
Proceeds of this ride will support the North Mississippi Gnarmadillos Composite MTB Team. This team is made up of middle and high school mountain bikers from the Oxford and North Mississippi area. More information about the team can be found on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/NorthMSGnarmadillos/. You can support the team by making a donation at https://raceroster.com/events/2026/122466/velvet-ditch-gran-fondo-2026/fundraising-organization/91963
A check will also be donated toward the on-going maintenance of the Tanglefoot Trail during the Tour de Bodock Bicycle Ride.
The Yalobusha Greenways Alliance (YGA) is working to build a connected, bikeable, walkable pedestrian trail that spans from Water Valley to Oxford to the north, Coffeeville to the south, and beyond. You can support this project by making a donation at https://www.yalobushagreenways.org/donate
Lodging and Dining
Check out Visit Oxford’s website for lodging, dining, and other attractions around town: https://visitoxfordms.com
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
Online registration closes at 6:00AM on August 8th Central Time.
Registration includes an event T-shirt, a pair of socks, and some goodies from our sponsors. Don't forget to register early to guarantee T-shirt size.
Packet Pick-up
Location: The Pavilion at the mTrade Park
Time:
Friday, August 7th (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
Saturday, August 8th (5:30 AM - 6:30 AM)
Age Restriction
The 7th Annual Sweet Cheeks 5K is NOW the SUMMER FUN RUN 5K! This event is a family friendly event that aims to raise money for Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry and raise awareness for the issue of poverty and diaper need in Shelby County and surrounding areas. Register to run, walk, or dance your way across the finish line. Strollers are also welcome for the race! Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry is the only independently ran basic needs bank in the Mid-South recognized by The National Diaper Bank and partners with local social service agencies to provide diapers to low-income families while raising awareness of the basic health need for diapers. This year we are celebrating distributing over 1.5 MILLION diapers to families in need. 5k participants will receive Chip Timing, Live Results, Finisher Medal (whiles supplies last), Post Race Food and Drinks, Discount Coupons & Giveaways, and Custom awards for Overall and Age Group Winners. Kid's Dash ticket includes shirt, fun run, kid's zone with
games, face painting, and more. DJ Gibbs will be back to bring the fun.
This event will be a 5k put on by the Rotary Club of Millington, TN to benefit the Millington Education Foundation. **August 22nd is the makeup date. Run will still be held at Orgill Park. **
Join us for the annual Summer Sizzler 5k/10k/15k! A fun summer event that is perfect for the whole family.
The fun includes -
Great Swag - designer shirt & custom medal
Chip-timing with live results and awards
Free photos
Delicious Treats waiting at the finish line
FREE Kona Ice
Plenty of fun!
Grab your friends and family, you are not going to want to miss this one!
Can't make the race? No problem! We offer a virtual race option where you can run anywhere, at any time, and still earn the fun swag!
*Youth-based pricing for the 5k/10k, 12 & Under are only $17!
5k/10k/15K registration includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and a custom finisher medal!
1 Mile registration is untimed and includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and a custom finisher medal!
The kid's dash is a fun, untimed dash for our kiddos ages 10 and under. Registration includes a mini bib, youth-sized shirt, and a specifically crafted medal for our kids' dash event! (If your child wants to run the kid's dash, and doesn't want the SWAG, they are welcome to run with us on race day for free!)
*Register by midnight on Thursday, two Thursdays before race day, to guarantee your shirt!
🏁🏅Create a team, or join an existing team during registration. Once 4 people have registered on that team, all team members will be refunded $5, once ten people register another $5 will be refunded for a total of $10!
Welcome to the Ernestine Jones Memorial Annual 5K Walk/Run
Join us in celebrating the enduring legacy of Ernestine Jones, a beacon of love, generosity, and community support. In 2026, we proudly commemorate what would have been her 100th birthday, honoring a life dedicated to kindness and service.
Honoring a Legacy of Love and Giving
Since her passing in July 2015, just shy of her 90th birthday, this event has served as a heartfelt tribute to her compassionate spirit. Launched in August 2016, the Ernestine Jones Memorial 5K has grown into more than just a race—it is a cherished tradition that brings our community together in celebration, remembrance, and support.
A Community United
Ernestine lived by the principle of open-hearted generosity, always ready to lend a hand, believing that small acts of kindness create ripples that return when most needed. This event carries that spirit forward, offering a space to give back, foster fellowship, and strengthen the bonds that uplift our community. Join Us in 2026
Be a part of the Ernestine Jones Memorial Annual 5K Walk/Run as we celebrate her 101st birthday and continue the legacy she left behind. Whether you're running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, your presence honors her memory and supports a cause that truly makes a difference.
Let’s come together in 2026 to celebrate kindness, community, and the joy of giving back.
Sponsored by
Join the Movement for Mental Health!
Introducing the "Run for Mental Health" - an empowering journey towards well-being! Run with purpose, run with heart for someone you know who is on that difficult journey like all of us.
Let's break the stigma and stride towards a healthier mind! Your run can make a difference! 💙
Overview:
Run will sell-out QUICK! We will close off waves the moment they fill up. If waves are sold out, you can sign-up for the virtual run option or wait list.
This is a smaller, private group run with a cap per wave.
All paces and ages (under 18 with guardian) are welcome - Run or Walk!
There's no equipment or setup, this is a pure run with our coordinators to support you in a warm, stress-free setting!
When you sign-up, we give you the support you need to help you achieve your goals and fitness. We also invite you to be part of our local run clubs that supports your fitness journey.
Timing:
Timing is Optional: You may track your time on an app (Strava, RunKeeper, Nike Run, etc) and submit your times with our easy form to be posted online. Or you can ask our coordinators to help keep track of your time.
No timing chips (This is a stress free run to support you in achieving your goals)!
What You Get (Swag Bag):
Running T-Shirt (Shipped to the address you register with - US only)
Finisher's Towel or Giveaway
Finisher's Medal!
Digital Training Pack
Online Results & Certificate of Completion
Invitation to Join one of our Local Running Clubs
We now have Technical Running Shirts (Optional). These lightweight, moisture wicking shirts can be upgraded for just $5 more.
Packet Pickup:
No hassle of picking up packets required!
-Swag shipped direct to your address (Please make sure you provide your full, correct US mailing address including apartment number and check spelling)
When will I get my Swag?
You will get your shirt at your mailing address the week of your race.
Race Updates:
We will email you a final update the Wednesday before the race with final details and course maps.
Do you accept last minute registrations? (For those signing up 2 weeks before the race)
Yes, but please note that it takes time for us to ship your shirt. Your shirt will likely arrive after the run. You can wear any shirt you find appropriate to run the race!
Wave Times: (Email Us Your Desired Wave Time: [email protected])
(Waves filled on a First Come, First Serve Basis)
Wave A: 7:30AM
Wave B: 8:00AM
Wave C: 8:30AM
Late runners can run upon arrival (Please note our coordinators stay 3 hours after the first wave)
Are there any other Questions we missed?
https://www.thebestraces.com/faq/
Virtual Run Option:
Virtual runs can be done any time and place of your choosing using any tracking device (optional). After you finish, you can submit your results to [email protected] to receive your medal!
Race Bundle:
Sign-up for more races and get a discount!
Sponsorships & Promoting your Business:
If you're looking to become a sponsor, we'd love showcase your business!
https://www.thebestraces.com/events
Team Glo Volunteers:
If you're interested in helping put on runs for the Community and helping people achieve their goals, we invite you to join our team of volunteers, fill out the form here: https://www.thebestraces.com/volunteer-form/
Be part of the Journey!
Our Charity Initiatives. Find out more @ www.thebestracesjourney.com
Keep running. Every mile you log after the race, we'll donate $1 to one of the charities we work with! (Note that Fundraising is Optional)
2026 Women Run Walk Memphis
Presented by the Memphis Runners Track Club
Women Run Walk Memphis (WRWM) is a supportive training program designed for women of all fitness levels—from walkers and brand-new runners to experienced runners looking to improve their pace and performance.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your running to the next level, WRWM provides coaching, training plans, and a welcoming community to help you reach your goals.
Participants train together throughout the summer and celebrate their progress by completing the WRWM Graduation 5K at the end of the program.
Program Details
Registration Fees
$40: March 16 – June 22
$45: June 23 – July 20
Registration closes midnight July 21 or when the program reaches capacity (1,200 participants), whichever comes first.
Registration Includes
WRWM Expo access
Weekly Monday night training sessions
WRWM technical t-shirt or tank
Entry into the Graduation 5K
Participants must be female and age 10 or older.
Key Dates
WRWM Expo
June 22 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Shelby Farms Park – Jones Pond Pavilion
(across from the Visitors Center)
At the Expo you can:
Pick up program information
Meet coaches and group leaders
Ask questions about training
Visit sponsors and vendors
Learn about proper running shoes and apparel
Purchase technical running gear
First Training Session
July 6 | 6:30 PM
(Arrive early for announcements)
Training sessions are held Monday evenings July through August.
There will be no training on Labor Day, and the final in-person training session will be August 31.
Each participant will follow a pacing-based training plan appropriate for their group:
Walkers
Beginning Runners
Intermediate Runners
Advanced Runners
If you need to miss a session, you can still stay on track by following your group’s weekly training plan.
Training Topics
Throughout the program, participants will learn valuable information to help them train safely and effectively, including:
Choosing the right training program
Proper running form
Nutrition and hydration
Warm-up, cool-down, and stretching techniques
The importance of proper shoes and technical clothing
How to maximize performance and prevent injury
WRWM Graduation 5K
Saturday, September 12 | 8:00 AM
Hope Church
8500 Walnut Grove Rd
Cordova, TN 38018
The Graduation 5K is a participants-only race and celebrates the accomplishments of everyone who completed the training program.
Stay Connected
Follow us on Facebook for program updates and announcements.
Program communications will be sent via email and Facebook. If you provide an email during registration but are not receiving updates, please contact us. Some spam filters or business firewalls may block emails.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 @ 8:00am
Mayor Joyce Ferguson Civic Center
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and can often be treated successfully. It begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control.
The prostate is a gland found only in males. Some research suggests that prostate cancer starts out as a pre-cancerous condition, although this is not known for sure.
These conditions are sometimes found when a man has a prostate biopsy. As a result, yearly examinations are very important. Creative Strategies wants to do our part to ensure that Crittenden is aware of the effects of this cancer.
Creative Strategies started in May 2008, with a mission of developing projects and programs that improve educational, economic, social, health and housing conditions within low to moderate income neighborhoods. Creative Strategies will work diligently as an advocacy group to ensure that public policy considers the needs of those unable to assist themselves.