Outrun Hunger 5K

The Dawson Community Food Bank & Thrift is organizing our innaugural “Outrun Hunger” 5K charity run and walk!

This exciting community event will take place on Saturday, October 24th 2026 at Yahoola Creek Park in Dahlonega.

We'll have a great course, Custom Finisher Medals, Great Race shirts, and a load of good fun.  Overall awards as well as the top three in each of the normal 5 year age groups 10 & Under through 80+)

 Food insecurity is real in North Georgia!  Working family expenses have swelled by all measures so many local residents are struggling just to get by.  All of the proceeds will go directly to supporting 3,000 local households of 8,800 individuals.  This includes 1,900 seniors and 2,400 children. 

he Dawson Community Food Bank & Thrift is a trusted 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity located at 92 Chestatee Industrial Park Drive.  They are the largest food bank agency in the Georgia Mountain Food Bank network, supporting Dawson, Lumpkin and surrounding counties.    However, they need help to keep pantry shelves fully stocked.

We're combining this event with a food drive/raffle.  Every food item gets you a ticket and a chance to win something cool (prize list to come).

We always do packet pickup on race morning starting one hour prior to the start of the race.  If we have an early pickup available, it will be added here.

We would love for your business to be an official sponsor of the “Outrun Hunger” 5K. Your support will help cover race setup costs, ensuring that every net dollar goes straight to helping local families fight hunger. Every sponsor will receive a free event t-shirt to proudly wear! We are offering three great options to showcase your business sponsorship:

$300 Bronze: Your business logo will be featured on the back of the shirt
$500 Silver: Your business logo will get prime larger placement on the shirt
$1,000 Gold:  Your business will also be featured in event marketing as a Gold sponsor

Participants will also receive one raffle ticket for each canned or dry goods item brought to the event.  Please consider sponsoring this event and also visiting for an operations tour.  To move forward please email DawsonCommunityFoodBank.com before October 1 or contact Linda Benson at 678-410-4455.

Early Bird Registration: (ends 06/19):

-5K: $25
-Virtual Races: $25

Regular Registration: (ends 10/17):

-5K: $30
-Virtual Races: $30

Late Registration: (ends 10/23):

-5K: $32.5

Race Day Registration:

-5K: $35

*All participants registered by 10/14 are guaranteed race swag in your size. Afterwards it's while supplies last.

Oct. 14

• Deadline for guaranteed shirt in your size

Oct. 24     

• 8:00 AM - Race Day Registration & Check In Opens
• 8:00 AM  - 5K Starts

We've got some great long sleeve shirts for participants!

We'll have awards as follows:

• Top 3 Overall M/F
• Top 3 Overall Masters M/F 
• Top 3 Overall Grand Masters M/F 
• Top 3 Overall Sr. Grand Masters M/F
• Top 3 in each of the normal 5 year age groups 10 & Under through 75+.  
   

Super Flat course inside Rock Creek Park...so it's super flat, family & spectator friendly! 

The 5K course is Certified, so it's a great opportunity to get a PR or a great time for the Peachtree.

Click here for the 5K course map

Running is more F-U-N together, even if we're far apart! 

Grab your friends, co-workers, neighbors or family and participate as a TEAM.  Your TEAM can be local or across the states; virtual participants will have their shirts shipped!  Teams of 5 or more receive discounts off their registration, discounts below.

• 5+:  $2.50 off
• 11+:  $3.75 off
• 21+:  $5 off
• 51+:  $6.25 off
• 100+:  $7.50 off

Grab some friends to run with you, and grab great swag!

Can't make it out to the event site on race day?

Still want to participate or support the cause and have a shot at an award? or maybe you saw the shirt and said:  "Sweet...I want one!"  Then the virtual race is for you.  Run when & where you want, just submit your time by end of Race Day.  We'll ship out virtual packages the Monday after event date! *Shipping available for continental US only.

New to Virtual Running?  Here's how it works:

Step 1

Get excited, grab some friends and buddies to join you!  Sign up and register for the Running Scared 5K or 13K Virtual!

Step 2

Download your Custom Digital Bib below!  Hydrate, grab your buddy (or not) and get ready to get moving!

Step 3

Get out there and run or walk! You can run at the park, your favorite route in your neighborhood; anywhere you want.   Please remember to be safe!

Step 4

HAVE FUN!~

Share your distance, a selfie, or a picture along your race route and use the hashtag #RunningScared5k13k #fivestarrunning

Step 5

Submit your results directly on RunSignUp.com

You can submit your race time HERE on the Virtual Results page anytime until race day 11:59 PM.

Step 6

View your Virtual Results HERE Monday after the Event Date.

This is one of your first opportunities to qualify for (1) free entry into our Turkey Trot for this year!
 

All participants will automatically qualify for (1) FREE entry into one of the Five Star Thanksgiving Turkey Trots this November. See event website

Our events are designed to be fun for the entire family. With that in mind; any competitor, spectator, parent, volunteer, or sponsor, exhibiting unsportsmanlike
conduct or interfering with the positive, competitive atmosphere of the event will be immediately disqualified, asked to leave the venue and course immediately with no refunds.

All registrations are final. There are no refunds, deferments, or transfers.

Event will take place rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather, we will cancel for the safety of the participants...there are no refunds in this case.

Participants that do not show up to race/event forfeit their right to any swag.

No COVID-19 Refunds.  If unforeseen circumstances arise due to COVID-19, including any Federal or State Health Emergency, refunds will not be provided.  The event will go 100% Virtual & shirts will be shipped to participants.