Helping Hands Half Marathon / 5K

Helping Hands Half Marathon / 5K is run in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, on October 24, 2026, with the half marathon (13.1 miles) starting at 7 a.m. and the 5K ten minutes later at 7:10 a.m. The race benefits the Helping Hands Foundation, a nonprofit created after the 2011 tornado outbreak, which supports Shelter Share for animal shelters, Food Share for food banks, School Share for students and Toy Share for Christmas gifts. Entrants receive a packet with an event shirt and custom items; half marathon finishers get a commemorative medal and 5K finishers a magnet.

An early start in the Southeast is a gift in October, since you finish before the day warms. That suits an even-pace effort or a first attempt at 13.1, and a 12 week build with one weekly long run will cover the distance. Runners who prefer a shorter day can take the 5K and still put their entry fee toward the same community programs.