2027 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Family Fun Day

About the Event

The 13th Annual #Judy5K will be held on Saturday, March 13!

Run, walk, or sleep in to support our great students, as all proceeds from this race go to scholarships for JSCC students in need.

All are invited to enjoy fun activities including free popcorn, cotton candy, and other tasty treats! PLUS a DJ, face painting, and more!

The annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K is held in honor of Jefferson State Community College’s former president Dr. Judy M. Merritt. Serving as President for 35 years, she was the first female president of an Alabama college; her leadership and vision were unparalleled. Judy, as she preferred to be called, embodied the spirit of Jefferson State and our mission to serve all in our community. “While the dream for many has been achieved, the fight for pathways to education, equality, and inclusion continues.” ~ Judy M. Merritt

Medals will be awarded as follows:

1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Top Male & Female Overall
Top male and female runners in the following categories:
12 & Under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+

Date:

March 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Price:

5K - $20 if registered by February 12; $25 if registered February 13 - March 12; $30 if registered on March 13 (day of race)

$15 for College Students and Ages 18 and under - Use Code STUDENT at Checkout

Out of state but still want to support? Want to sleep in on race day? Just want the T-shirt? Choose the Sleep In 5k / Virtual Challenge!

Price: Sleep In 5k / Virtual Challenge - $15

5K participants and Virtual Challenge/Sleep In 5K participants will receive a swag bag, including the race day shirt (*T-Shirt - only guaranteed if registered before February 12th).

Location:

Hoover's Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35242

Packet Pick Up:

Thursday, March 11th, between 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Friday, March 12th, between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Packet pickup is in the lobby of the Judy M. Merritt Health Science building on JSCC's Shelby-Hoover campus, located across from Veterans Park at the corner of Valleydale Road and Jaguar Drive.

Packets will also be available for pickup on race day, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Veterans Park Pavilion. All runners should be checked in by 8:30 a.m.

Award Ceremony:

Winners will be announced, and medals awarded around 10:30 a.m. at the pavilion.

https://www.jeffersonstate.edu/5k/

Races Offered

Mar 13, 2027

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

sell

$20.00

Sleep In 5k! / Virtual Challenge

Mar 13, 2027

straighten

Distance — Sleep In 5k! / Virtual Challenge

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

sell

$15.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for March in Birmingham.

thermostat Temperature

8.4° / 19.5°

wb_sunny Feels like

5.0° / 16.9°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

8h 59m

water_drop Avg rainfall

4.4 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

12.7 km/h (Gentle breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Low

terrain Course conditions

Firm and slightly soft

sunny Max UV Index

Moderate (4.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

66.2%

wb_twilight Sunrise

06:54

nightlight Sunset

18:55

About Birmingham

Learn more about the host city, Birmingham.

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama, and its cultural and economic nucleus. While it's best remembered as the site of protest, bombings, and other racial tumult during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, visitors to the Birmingham of today will find a pleasant green city of ridges, valleys, attractive views, and friendly, hospitable people.