Big Miles for Little Smiles

We are excited for our 4th annual Big Miles for Little Smiles 5k Run/Walk and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County. Our mission at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Miles for Little Smiles will be held at Ella Sharp Park on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. The proceeds from this event will support the organization’s mission to create one-to-one relationships between the Bigs and Littles within the community.

Pricing: $25 until 8/31. $30 from 9/01 to 10/04. $35 from 10/5 to 10/17. $40 race day (no shirts, online registration only). Shirts are guaranteed with registrations through 10/4. The Kids Fun Run is $10 and shirts are guaranteed with registration through 10/4.  

Team pricing: $5 discount per participant with a team of four or more. The discount will automatically be refunded when you have at least four people join your team. Your team must consist of four or more before registration closes in order to qualify for the team discount of $5 per person. Team members 1-3 will receive a $5 refund once member 4 joins. Member 4+ will automatically pay $5 less. Join in the fun!

Early packet pick up: Friday, October 16th from 5pm to 6:30pm at YMCA 127 W. Wesley St. (near picnic tables and County National Bank playground)

Race day packet pick up: Will begin at 8:00 AM at the race start area. 

Get a cool race T-shirt: T-shirt is guaranteed with paid registration by end of day 10/4.  We are offering youth sizes S-XL, adult sizes S-XXXL. Sizes are not guaranteed after 10/4.

Team awards: Award for the Largest Team, the Most Spirited Team, and the Largest Fundraising Team. See "Teams" at the top of the page for more information. 

Schedule: Kids Fun Run starts at 9:00 AM. 5k Run/Walk starts at 9:30 AM.

Volunteers:  Volunteers are needed before, during and after the race.  For more information, please contact aparshall@bbbsjackson.org

FAQ section can be found at the top of the page.

The race will be professionally chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. Results will be posted during the race and online at the results tab, top of the page.

You have questions, we have answers.

Where do the proceeds go? The proceeds from this event will support the organization’s mission to create one-to-one relationships between the Bigs and Littles within the community.

Where do I park? There is plenty of parking at the race location Ella Sharp Park, 2800 Fourth Street, Jackson, MI 49203.

Where is packet pick up? Early packet pick up: Friday October 16th from 5pm to 6:30pm at YMCA 127 W. Wesley St. (near picnic tables and County National Bank playground) Race day packet pick up: begins at 8:00 AM at the race start location.

Can I pick up my family or friend’s packet at packet pick up? Yes.

What are the T-shirt sizes? Your entry fee includes a T-shirt if you've registered by 10/4. We are offering youth sizes S-XL, adult sizes S-XXXL. There is an option to select "No Shirt" during registration. Shirt sizes are not guaranteed after 10/4. Register early to be guaranteed a T-shirt!

Are baby joggers and strollers allowed? Yes. We ask that you line up in the back at the start of the event.

Are dogs allowed? No. For the safety of the participants and the dogs, no dogs allowed.

Can I wear headphones? Sure, there's nothing like some good tunes while you run. We just ask that you can still hear and are aware of your surroundings.

This is my first 5k run/walk, what should I expect?  Congrats, we're excited to have you! We recommend picking up your bib number during early packet pick up if you are able to. Plan on arriving on race day morning about 1 hour prior to the start to park, get your shirt and bib number (if you did not pick it up at early packet pick up), and get warmed up. Wear the bib (your race number) on the outermost layer on your torso, we provide safety pins to pin it to your shirt. Pin in all four corners so the number does not flap when you're running/walking. Prior to the race the announcer will call everyone up to the start line. The speedy racers will line up at the front, everyone else lines up behind them. If you are running with a stroller we ask that you line up at the back. The race will start and off you go! There are plenty of other participants and course support to guide you along the way. Refreshments will be available after the finish. We will text you your results, and also have a QR code for you to scan to pull up your results. Lastly and most importantly HAVE FUN! You will love the energy from the race!

Are there refunds? This event will be held rain or shine, there are no refunds for this event.

If you still have questions, please contact us by using the contact form on the main race page.

T-shirt is guaranteed with paid registration by end of day 10/04.  We are offering youth sizes S-XL, adult sizes S-XXXL. After 10/4 T-shirts are available as supplies last. Register early to secure your T-shirt.

Gather your friends and let the fun begin!  We are offering awards for the Largest Team, the Most Spirited Team, and the Largest Fundraising Team.

There are two separate 'team categories' within Run Signup: Social Teams, just for fun, to see how many people you can get on your team and Fundraising Teams, to see how much money your team can raise. You can do both and have them the same name. 

You will be asked during registration if you would like to Join or Create a team. If yes, follow the steps. This is for Social Teams only. If you would like to also Join or Create a Fundraising Team that step will be further along during the registration process.

Team Pricing- If registering a team, you must register four or more people before registration closes to qualify for the team discount of $5 per person. The discount will automatically be refunded when you have at least four people join your team. Team members 1-3 will receive a $5 refund once member 4 joins. Member 4+ will automatically pay $5 less. Join in the fun!