Hernando Water Tower 10K and Half Marathon

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, runners from across the Mid-South are invited to “Mississippi’s Front Porch” for the 17th Annual Hernando Water Tower 10K & Half Marathon. Starting and finishing on the historic Hernando Town Square, both races wind through scenic, tree-lined neighborhoods and past the iconic 1925 Hernando Water Tower.

The Half Marathon begins at 8:00 a.m., followed by the 10K at 8:05 a.m. After crossing the finish line, all registered runners and Spirit Runners are invited to enjoy the Race After Party featuring free food, drinks, beer, live music, awards, and door prizes.

For safety, the course will close at 12:00 p.m., and all Half Marathon participants must reach the 10-mile marker by 11:00 a.m. Runners who remain on the course after these times must follow all traffic laws and proceed at their own risk.

Proceeds benefit Hernando Excel By 5’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library, providing free books each month to local children from birth to age five.

                                     Click on "Topic Buttons" below for additional information

Top 3 Male and Female Overall

1st Place Wheelchair

In addition to the overall winners, First, Second and Third place finishers in the following age/gender categories will also receive awards.

14 & Under      40-44          
15-19               45-49
20-24               50-54
25-29               55-59         
30-34               60-64
35-39               65-69
                        70 & Over
Winners will receive custom pieces created especially for the race by Hernando artisans

Covid-19 Waiver:

Print, sign, and date your name above then submit your signed waiver at packet pick up. Failure to return a signed COVID-19 waiver by the deadline prohibits your participation in the Hernando Water Tower 10K race. DOWNLOAD HERE

Registration:

Volunteers & race personnel will be asked to wear a mask at any time they are unable to be at least 6’ from other people. Hand sanitizer and gloves will be available for volunteers and participants. In-person race registration will have multiple registration areas so distancing can be maintained.

Bathrooms/Porta potties:

Run club will invest in hand sanitizing stations &/or hand wash stations for porta potties.

Start line protocol:

Chip-timed race: will use starting mat with digital start.

Water stations:

Cups will be spread out on table to avoid cups touching and volunteers will not hand water to runners. Volunteers will use gloves and mask when filling water cups and picking them up.

Finish area protocol:

Volunteers will wear mask and gloves in finish area and participants and supporters will be reminded to socially distance from one another.

Post-race food protocol:

Food will either be pre-packaged or served by volunteers wearing masks and gloves.

Awards protocol:

Post-race will have in-person award presentation, race officials will utilize masks and gloves and winners will not be grouped closer than 6’ for pictures. Supporters will be asked to stay socially distanced by households.

*Announcements will be made periodically during all events to remind all attendees to practice social distancing.*

**All plans are subject to change contingent upon state and local restrictions at time of event.*

If driving south or north on I-55, take Exit 280 (MS 304 Scenic Route/Commerce Street) and head west on 304/Commerce Street. Turn left onto Highway 51, then right onto South Street where you will see the DeSoto County Administration Building parking lot on your right (click here for GPS directions to parking lot). Overflow parking is located straight ahead on South Street at the west parking lot of the Gale Community Center (2601 Elm Street)

If driving south or north on Highway 51, Turn west (left for those heading north and right for those heading south) onto South Street you will see the  DeSoto County Administration Building parking lot on your right (click here for GPS directions to parking lot). Overflow parking is located straight ahead on South Street at the west parking lot of the Gale Community Center (2601 Elm Street).

If driving east on Highway 304, turn right on West South Street and continue until you will see DeSoto County Administration Building parking lot on your right (click here for GPS directions to parking lot). Overflow parking is located straight ahead on South Street at the west parking lot of the Gale Community Center (2601 Elm Street).

Additional Parking Options:

Hernando Library  
Trustmark Bank or along Center Street on the East side of Hwy 51 near Trustmark Bank

Farm Bureau 
Hernando Baptist Church 
Parallel parking on Hwy 51 on the town square 
Parallel parking on Memphis Street 

Registration the day of the event is located at City Hall on Elm Street between West Center Street and South Street.

Starting Line located at intersection of West Center Street and West Street.

Stick around after you cross the finish line—the celebration isn’t over yet! Thanks to the generosity of our local businesses, runners will have the chance to win amazing door prizes at the after party.

From gift cards and dining experiences to fitness gear, spa services, and special treats, our community has come together to make sure you leave with more than just race-day memories.

These prizes are made possible by businesses who believe in supporting runners and giving back to our community through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, providing free books to children in Hernando.

 Run hard, celebrate big, and see if your bib number gets called for one of these fantastic prizes!

Check back for 2026 door prize announcements! 

When: 

Friday, Oct 9th from 4:30pm – 6:30pm.

Where:

The Landing at Delta Landing

885 Tunica Trails, Suite 111

Nesbit, MS 38651

Race Day Packet Pickup

When:

Saturday, Oct 10th from 7am-7:45 am

Where:

Hernando City Hall

475 West Commerce

Hernando, MS 38632

(Side facing Elm Street)

Saturday’s race events (post-race awards) are included with race admission,

POST RACE AWARDS:
Will feature live music by regional musicians, and great food and beverages provided by local vendors. Finish line helpers will direct you!

Dear Community Partner:

We would like you to consider becoming a supporter of the Hernando Water Tower 10K and Half Marathon Race. Proceeds will benefit the Hernando Excel By 5, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program benefits children in the city of Hernando who are between the ages of one month to five years old, by providing them with the gift of a specially selected, age-appropriate book each month. Children enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library have the opportunity to read more at an early age, increase their reading ability and vocabulary, generate an excitement about reading, and prepare them for school at Kindergarten. For more information about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library go to http://www.imaginationlibrary.com/

The mission of the Hernando Excel By 5 Dolly Parton Imagination Library is to increase the number of children that are ready for Kindergarten and ready to read by age five. Your contribution will fund the Hernando Water Tower Race for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a 501 c3 charitable organization and will be tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

For more information contact: Gia Matheny 662-429-9127 gmatheny@cityofhernando.org

^{Team scoring will be based on the " TOTAL" of the (5)  lowest division places for the team.}

^{In the example below, the team "Mississippi  Fast" (5) lowest division places sum is (6), placing them ahead of "Country Boys" with a sum of (7) for their total division places.} 

^{In the event of a tie, the team with the fastest average time will be declared the winner.}

^{In the example below, if Country Boys had tied with Mississippi Fast, Country Boys would have won by having the faster average times.} 

Hernando Water Tower 10K will use ChronoTrack timing technology. To get an official race time and be included in results, participants MUST wear a bib number with timing device on front of body so they can be validated at the finish on camera.  (see below) The B-Tag technology allows for precision and timing accuracy in road racing performance. 
For timing and results questions email: results@besttimescct.com

Make your race weekend a getaway and experience the charm of Hernando, Mississippi “Mississippi’s Front Porch.” Located just south of Memphis, Hernando offers historic small-town hospitality, scenic streets, and a vibrant courthouse square filled with local restaurants, boutiques, and attractions.

Visitors will find several convenient lodging options just minutes from the race start in historic downtown Hernando. Local accommodations include:

Hampton Inn Hernando
Home2 Suites by Hilton Hernando
Super 8 by Wyndham Hernando
Days Inn by Wyndham Hernando
These hotels provide comfortable accommodations with easy access to the race course and downtown square.

While you’re in town, explore Hernando’s many locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and cultural attractions. The easiest way to discover everything the community has to offer is through the City of Hernando mobile app, which includes listings for dining, shopping, lodging, attractions, and local events—all in one place.

Download the Visit Hernando mobile app to plan your trip, map out your race weekend, and explore the best of Hernando while you’re here.

Q: Do I have to be in a certain city/state to do this event?
A: Anyone can do the Hernando Water Tower 10K  (VIRTUAL)  wherever you are, on your time between Saturday October 2nd  and Saturday October 9th!  This is great way for families and friends to stay active together, even if you don't live close to each other.  However, if you are registered for an In-Person event, you will need to toe the "Start Line" on West Center Street in Hernando, MS on Saturday October 9th.
 
Q: Do I have to run or can I walk?
A: You can run, walk, runwalk ... as long as you are purposefully moving and logging miles, it counts.
 
Q: Do I have to complete the VIRTUAL 10K  at one time?
A: Yes, since this is a "timed" event, you will need to complete your full VIRTUAL 10K  during one activity ... not multiple combined activities.
 
Q: Do I have to put in my miles outside?
A: Preferably you will be able to go outside so you can use our Live GPS tracking app, RaceJoy (see "RaceJoy How To" click here). but if you need to complete your miles inside (on a treadmill, at the gym, etc.) that will be possible with the alternate reporting option.
 
Q: How do I record my miles/time?
A: The easiest and best way will be to utilize the RaceJoy app click here  ... you simply hit start on the app and it will register your time in results when you complete your 10K distance..  But, if you are unable to carry your phone; will be in a location with poor cell service; or need to complete your miles inside or on a treadmill, then there will be alternate ways to report your time.  You can upload directly to the RunSignUp system.  Just go to the Results tab click here on this webpage and choose "Submit Virtual Results". Virtual results will be presented in a format similar to in person results for recognition only.. Please note, due to the nature of virtual results being reliant on terrain variables, on dependable cell service and honesty, virtual participants will not be eligible for  awards, or trophies. 

Q: When I complete my run distance, how do I get my shirt and finisher medal? 
A: You have (2) choices: (1.) Complete your 10K run distance and report your time. Then come to the in-person race packet pickup to claim you shirt and finisher medal. (2)  Choose to have you shirt and medal mailed to you during the registration process. You will be charged a $12 mailing fee at check out.

Hernando Water Tower 10K 2023 Promo Video (Click Here)