City of Champions Half Marathon and 5k

City of Champions Half Marathon and 5k runs through Gadsden, Alabama, on November 21, 2026, starting and finishing at the Back Forty Beer Company. The half marathon (13.1 miles) and the 10K both go at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K following at 8:00 a.m. Finishers in all three races receive a custom medal, and awards are handed out by age group. Packet pickup is available the day before and again on race morning, shirts are guaranteed for entries received before the deadline, and a valid email address is required so organizers can send updates. The race benefits The United Way of Etowah County and other local causes.

A shared start and finish at one location makes this an easy race to travel to with family, since spectators only need to stand in one place. The 5K is the entry point if you have been running for a few weeks; the 10K suits a solid base; the half marathon works best off a 12-week build with a weekly long run taken out to 10 or 11 miles.