Fifteen races including a new marathon and some traditional favorites, such as the Spirit of America 5-Miler, highlight the River City Runners’ 2026 lineup.
“They’re locked in and set,” club president Jon Elmore told TVO during the recent Rocket City Marathon. “The new one is the River City Micro Marathon in January, and we may add a couple more to the calendar. But what’s there is locked in.”
The schedule includes a mix of distances, including the new River City Micro Marathon on Jan. 10. Runners also will have the fun Mardi Gras-themed Carnival Frolic half in February, and Delano 12-hour endurance event in March. The club also holds Tuesday evening group runs at Cross-Eyed Owl Brewery in Decatur, and family fun runs each Thursday in summer.
Traditional favorites include the Spirit of America 5-miler. It dates to at least 2003, with runners competing at Point Mallard Park on a flat, fast track. It’s held the week before, usually, the big Spirit of America July 4 festival at the park, which attracts thousands of people. Trying to have any kind of road race among that throng would be challenging, so it’s the week before.
More information about each event along with registration and contact info will be updated soon on the RCR website.
River City Runners 2026
Here’s the lineup for 2026:
Jan. 10: River City Micro Marathon, Marathon Relay, 10K and 5K
Feb. 14: Carnival Frolic 13.1 and 5K
March 7: Delano 12-hour endurance, 50-miler, relay
March 28: Capital Power River City Run 10K, 5K, Fun Run
April 11: First Priority of Greater Decatur 5K, 1-mile
May 9: Go Far Forest 4.2 1 Run
June 6: Pride 5K at Ingalls Harbor
June 27: Community Free Clinic Spirit of America 5-miler
July 11: Freedom 5K and 1-mile run/walk
Aug. 8: Brothers for Life 5K, 1-mile
Aug. 22: The 7@7 7K
Sept. 4: Swing Through 5K (Calhoun CC, Friday evening)
Sept 12: No Fences Cowboy Church Freedom 5K
Nov. 26: 3M Morgan County Turkey Trot
Dec. 12: Alice Haughaboo Grit & Grace 5K
