Publix Woodstock 5K

The Anniston Runners Club (ARC) and our members invite you to our premier annual event, the historic Publix Woodstock 5K and Kidstock 1K! The 2026 race's RRCA championship event designation is the Alabama State 5K Championship, marking the 19th RRCA championship event hosted by Woodstock. The Publix Woodstock 5K is a fun and healthy community event where more than 1000 runners and walkers come to shake their tail feathers! Go ahead and mark your calendar for August 1st, 2026, for one of the oldest continuous footraces in the southeast!

We host an exciting 5K event on Woodstock Avenue in Anniston, AL, that's fun for the whole family, with a relaxing post-race celebration featuring local vendors and awards! It has been over 10 years since the course record was broken by male and female runners. Any individual who breaks the course record (male or female divisions) will receive an additional $500! That is a potential of $1000 total for the overall winners! For more information on awards and other race details, visit the WOODSTOCK WEBPAGE.

Don't forget to check out our ever-so-popular Team Challenge! Team runners have a chance to win a cash prize for the team with the most participants and for the fastest male, female, and coed team.

Please enjoy the hospitality Annistonians and Alabamians are famous for. We promise you won't leave Woodstock disappointed - our runners, volunteers, and community guarantee it!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• Friday, July 31st:

11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Packet Pickup - Anniston High School - Kilby House in the middle of campus (1301 Woodstock Ave, Anniston, AL 36207)

We recommend you pick up your shirt and bib on this day – Race Day is hectic, and if you wait until race morning, you may have to wait in long lines!

NOTE: Other participants, friends, or family are allowed to pick up your packet with your final confirmation email in-hand and bib number  

To make the process faster, please bring your final confirmation email printed or visible on your phone. Have your BIB NUMBER  

• Saturday, August 1st – Race Day!

** No Race Day Registration **

6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. – Last chance to pick up shirts and bibs
7:15 a.m. – Call to the start Line
7:30 a.m. – Publix Woodstock 5K start! 
9:00 a.m. – Kidstock 1K Run/Walk Start in front of the finish line (NOT the 5K start line)
10:00 a.m. – Awards ceremony for the Publix Woodstock 5K Overall Winners, Masters, and Teams in AHS Auditorium.  Age Group and All Kidstock awards will be handed out in the courtyard near the timer result tent as soon as results are available.   Print out results from the timers tent in courtyard will only have time and overall placement. For official overall and age group awards utilize QR code on race bib.

Water will be provided on the course and at the finish line. There are two water stops on the course: Mile 1 and Mile 2.

The Woodstock 5K course is a USATF certified course. Beginning on Woodstock Avenue in front of Anniston High School, the course runs through the historic neighborhoods of Anniston, Alabama.

The Kidstock 1K begins in front of the finish line about 30 yards and finishes at the Woodstock finish.  

USATF Link - Click Here

We offer an Elite FAST BIRD program. Female elites must have a recent documented previous time of 17:30 or lower. Male elites must have a recent documented previous time of 16:00 or lower. We do not offer letters to embassies for those out of the country. However, we will offer a limited amount of elite lodging options to those traveling from longer distances. This will be based on the distance needed to travel and previous race results. Coverage of additional travel expenses such as airfare will be evaluated depending on available race funds. Hotel rooms are donated by local lodging. This is a community-run event and does not qualify as a professional race for collegiate athletics. For more information, contact the race director (see "Race Contact Info" here at the bottom of the page).

Perfect for the first time runner! Youth runners may be accompanied by an adult, however, ALL WOODSTOCK 5K BIBS must be removed. We do not want older athletes running this race just for time, and the bibs will mess up the timing. To qualify for awards, kids must walk or run.  Any child in a stroller will not be eligible for awards but they can have a finishing medal.

ALL AWARDS for KIDSTOCK will be given out in the COURTYARD near the stairs, after the race.  

Awards will be given in the following areas:
• Overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd male and female
• Top 3 boys and girls in age groups: 1-5, 6-8, 9-11.  The older category has been eliminated.  We encourage runners above age 11 to accomplish the 5K race.

For the course map of the Kidstock 1K, see here. Please note that the Kidstock start line is behind the Woodstock 5K finish line; it is NOT the same as the Woodstock 5K start line.

Course Rules

The Woodstock 5K is open to runners and walkers of all abilities. There is no age minimum. Minors must have a parent or legal guardian register for them online. Earbuds are strongly discouraged. The roads are closed, but you need to be aware of your surroundings. Bicycles, in-line skates, and other non-official wheeled vehicles and pets (including pets in strollers) are prohibited on the course! Service animals must have provided documents before the race for consideration. Our insurance will not cover pets on the course. However, we will allow strollers with infants as long as you start at the back of the race pack, and so long as the infant is not a participant. Please be courteous of all runners and allow others to pass. Your time does not start until you cross over the starting line. A timing chip is on the back of your race bib. You MUST wear your own race bib. If you want to swap, you must transfer your entry through RunSignup. You have two hours to complete the course. We start to finalize timing at 9:30am. Overall and Masters awards are at 10:00am in the AHS Auditorium to the left of the vendor trucks. Age group awards will be at a table beside the timer print out table.

Weather Policy

If there is severe weather (thunder and lightning) that impacts the safety of runners, the race start will be delayed and monitored until 8:00am with the latest possible race start being at 8:15am. Check your phone for text updates. The race will be cancelled if severe weather continues after 8:00am. No refunds.

Parking Rules & Information

Anniston High School has a large parking lot in front of the school. However, please enter and exit from 11th Street. When you are leaving the lot after the race, please turn left on 11th Street. The roads will stay closed until Kidstock is complete. Overflow parking can be found on Christine. There is also a parking lot on Leighton (between 10th and 11th). DO NOT PARK IN BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPEN or that are marked NO PARKING. 

Click for Anniston High School Directions

The Woodstock 5K began as the Midsummer Morn 5K (or Midsummer Morn's 5000) in 1981. Held in conjunction with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and sponsored by The Anniston Star, the Midsummer Morn 5K was assisted in its coordination by the Anniston Runners Club, which had recently been formed in 1980. When the Alabama Shakespeare Festival moved from Anniston to Montgomery in 1986, the Anniston Runners Club formally adopted the race and has been in charge of its direction since then. Because the race has been held on Woodstock Avenue in Anniston since its inaugural event, the event was renamed to the Woodstock 5K on the suggestion of ARC's then-president, Nancy Grace.

The Woodstock 5K has been hosted every year since the first Midsummer Morn in 1981, making it one of the oldest continuous footraces in the southeast. In its early years as the Midsummer Morn 5K, the race was held in July. However, it is now held every first Saturday in August. The entry fee in 1981 was just $5! That year, there were 350 runners and Mayor Gertrude Williams presented the trophies. The race course has been the same since 1981.

The Kidstock 1K has its origins in Woodstock's 1-Mile Fun Run, which was part of the inaugural events during the first race in 1981. At first, the 1-Mile Fun Run was open to all ages, including adults, though it eventually became an event only for children. In 2022, it was further changed to its current format as the Kidstock 1K, to focus on young children just beginning to explore running. This page does not include historical records from the 1-Mile Fun Run or the Kidstock 1K, only the Woodstock 5K.

In 2013, the Woodstock 5K was recognized by the Calhoun County Historic Preservation Committee and the City of Anniston. Two official historic markers were placed at the race's start and finish line to honor the history of the Woodstock 5K. The highest number of registered participants ever for the Woodstock 5K was in 2015, with 1590 runners signed up. Prior to the closure of Fort McClellan, the race saw strong participation from active military members at the base, who would run the course in formation, separate from civilian runners. These formation runs ceased in 1992 and the base itself closed in 1999, but the race was reinvigorated in 2007 when it gained the attention of the Road Runners Club of America. Every year since then, the Woodstock 5K has hosted one of the RRCA's championship races (state, regional, or national).

Past 5K Winners (Male & Female)

• 2025: Jack Lowe (Pell City, AL) in 15:26, and Laney Barnes (Cypress, TX) in 17:58.
• 2024: Bradley Makuvire (Murfreesboro, TN) in 14:18, and Savannah Peppenhorst (Norcross, GA) in 18:00.
• 2023: Vincent Kiprop (Tuscaloosa, AL) in 14:37, and Esther Gitahi (Tuscaloosa, AL) in 16:48. 
• 2022: William Brown (Marietta, GA) in 15:43, and Beatrice Jepchumba (Homewood, AL) in 17:52.
• 2021: Ethan Mines (Panama City, FL) in 15:49, and Ashley Walker (Alexander City, AL) in 17:37.
• 2020: In-person event canceled due to COVID-19, no official results available.
• 2019: Barnabas Kirwa (Huntsville, AL) in 15:10, and Emma Neigel (Gainesville, GA) in 17:49.
• 2018: Francis Waithaka (Homewood, AL) in 15:13, and Gladys Cheboi (Homewood, AL) in 17:33.
• 2017: Austin Duckworth (Austin, TX) in 15:24, and Hollyann Swann (Blountsville, AL) in 18:32.
• 2016: Jeff Rhodes (Birmingham, AL) in 15:41, and Justyna Mudy-Mader (Huntsville, AL) in 17:57.
• 2015: Josh Whitehead (Madison, AL) in 15:46, and Justyna Mudy-Mader (Huntsville, AL) in 17:17.
• 2014: Patrick Cheptoek (Bowling Green, KY) in 14:14, and Marion Kandie (Bowling Green, KY) in 17:41.
• 2013: Patrick Cheptoek (Bowling Green, KY) in 14:05***, and Lydia Kosgei (Richmond, KY) in 17:06.
• 2012: Patrick Cheptoek (Bowling Green, KY) in 14:13, and Risper Gesabwa (Marietta, GA) in 16:06***.
• 2011: Reuben Mwei (Acworth, GA) in 14:16, and Janet Cherobon-Bawcom (Rome, GA) in 16:20.
• 2010: George Towett (Kennesaw, GA) in 14:19, and Janet Cherobon (Rome, GA) in 16:46.
• 2009: Ryan Woods (Boone, NC) in 14:48, and Stephanie Pezzullo (Indian Trails, NC) in 17:35.
• 2008: Shadrick Muteri (Marietta, GA) in 14:56, and Jill Steffens (Athens, GA) in 17:12.
• 2007: Scott Strand (Birmingham, AL) in 14:40, and Erin Sims (Pascagoula, MS) in 17:47.
• 2006: Scott Strand (Birmingham, AL) in 15:26, and Brooke Pruitt (Huntsville, AL) in 19:44.
• 2005: Dave Roberson (Munford, AL) in 18:57, and Lucy Vandervoort (Anniston, AL) in 23:08.
• 2004: Brad Lichtenstein (Birmingham, AL) in 19:06, and Linda Hearn (Anniston, AL) in 22:31.
• 2003: Michael Marquardt (Birmingham, AL) in 16:24, and Lori Strand (Birmingham, AL) in 20:39.
• 2002: Scott Strand (Birmingham, AL) in 14:24, and Emily Hulse (Jacksonville, AL) in 20:56.
• 2001: Michael Marquardt (Birmingham, AL) in 16:53, and Athena Naugher (Hokes Bluff, AL) in 21:12.
• 2000: Ricky Austin (Spring Garden, AL) in 17:24, and Athena Naugher (Hokes Bluff, AL) in 21:22.
• 1999: Nicholas Cutchens in 17:09, and Lauren Williams in 22:09.
• 1998: Ricky Austin in 17:25, and Tracy Priska in 19:01.
• 1997: Dana Cronin, and Therese Bynum.
• 1996: Malcolm Campbell (United Kingdom) in 14:42, and Connie Robertson (Atlanta, GA) in 18:23.
• 1995: Carlos Gribbs (Auburn, AL) in 15:09, and Connie Robertson (Atlanta, GA) in 18:20.
• 1994: Layne Anderson (Auburn, AL) in 15:37, and Connie Robertson (Atlanta, GA) in 18:33.
• 1993: Layne Anderson (Auburn, AL) in 15:43, and Cheryl Boessow (Birmingham, AL) in 18:23.
• 1992: Carlton Law (Decatur, GA) in 15:27, and Connie Robertson (Hapeville, GA) in 18:20.
• 1991: Glenn Ross (Birmingham, AL) in 15:55, and Cheryl Boessow (Birmingham, AL) in 18:00.
• 1990: Alan Drosky (Lithia Springs, GA), in 15:03, and Cheryl Boessow (Birmingham, AL) in 17:55.
• 1989: Steven Reed (Auburn, AL) in 14:56, and Cheryl Boessow (Birmingham, AL) in 17:40.
• 1988: Mark Daugherty (Fort McClellan, AL, 82nd Chemical Battalion) in 15:29, and Kim Trupp (Auburn, AL) in 17:17.
• 1987: Phillip Harrell (Southside, AL) in 16:09, and Kim Trupp (Auburn, AL) in 17:44.
• 1986: Doug Cronkite (Tuscaloosa, AL) in 15:08, and Linda McLennan (Montgomery, AL) in 17:12. (First race as Woodstock 5K)
• 1985: Jeff Weitenbeck (Huntsville, AL) in 15:15, and Sarah Dunsmore (Nashville, TN) in 18:54. (Final race as Midsummer Morn 5K)
• 1984: Mike Eskridge (Bessemer, AL) in 15:18, and Carolyn Melton (Birmingham, AL) in 18:39.
• 1983: Mike Eskridge (Bessemer, AL) in 15:51, and Juliette Doster (Jamaica Plain, MA) in 17:46.
• 1982: Kevin Moats (Atlanta, GA) in 15:11, and Juliette Doster (Jamaica Plain, MA) in 18:06.
• 1981: Marris Johnson (Atlanta, GA) in 18:03, and Juliette Doster (Jamaica Plain, MA) in 18:14. (Inaugural race as Midsummer Morn 5K)

*** denotes a course record. Special thanks to Rip Donovan and The Anniston Star.

Past Race Directors

• 2026: Landon Delozier
• 2025: Hayley Long & Landon Delozier
• 2022-24: Hayley Long
• 2021: Nicole Dieckow
• 2019-20: Alex Morrow
• 2017-18: Nicole Dieckow
• 2016: Neeli Faulkner
• 2013-15: Haley Gregg
• 2011-12: Dennis Dunn
• 2010: Brooke Nelson & John Moore
• 2006-09: Brooke Nelson (RRCA Race of the Year 2007)
• 2005: Nancy Grace
• 2004: ???
• 2003: Tom Downing
• 2001-02: ???
• 2000: Tom Downing
• 1999: Daley Speer
• 1998: ???
• 1997: Gala Tighe
• 1996: ???
• 1995: Tom Downing
• 1994: Stan Nelson
• 1993: ???
• 1992: Robert Smith & Tom Downing
• 1991: ???
• 1989-90: Nelson Mahaffey & Hugh Hickman
• 1988: Jim Green & Don Walters
• 1986-87: ???
• 1985: Fred Gant
• 1983-84: Robert Smith
• 1982: Rick Rafael
• 1981: Robert Smith, Mike Gordon & Rick Rafael

RRCA Championship Statuses

Every year since 2007, the Woodstock 5K has been named a championship event of the Road Runners Club of America, in one of three potential categories: Alabama State 5K Championship, Southern Regional 5K Championship, or National 5K Championship. The Woodstock 5K has hosted 19 RRCA championships (7 national, 5 regional, 7 state).

• 2026: State
• 2025: National
• 2024: State
• 2023: National
• 2022: State
• 2021: State
• 2020: N/A (no in-person event)
• 2019: State
• 2018: National
• 2017: State
• 2016: Regional
• 2015: Regional
• 2014: Regional
• 2013: National
• 2012: National
• 2011: National
• 2010: Regional
• 2009: National
• 2008: Regional
• 2007: State

• Friday, July 31st:

11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Bib and Shirt pick up - Anniston High School  - Kilby house in the middle of campus (1301 Woodstock Ave Anniston, AL 36207)

We recommend you pick up your shirt and bib on this day – Race Day is hectic and if you wait until race morning you may have to wait in long lines!

NOTE: Other participants or friends/family are allowed to pick up your packet with your final confirmation email in-hand or bib number.

To make the process faster, please bring your final confirmation email printed or visible on your phone and know your bib number  

• Saturday, August 1st – Race Day!

** No Race Day Registration **

6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. – Last chance to pick up shirts and bibs
7:15 a.m. – Call to the start Line
7:30 a.m. – Woodstock 5K start!                                                                                                                                                                         

Post Race:  In the courtyard to the left of the Kilby House enjoy post race snacks, and food trucks.  Stop by several vendors including TRAK SHAK, and many more.                                                                                                                             

9:00 a.m. – Kidstock 1K Run/Walk Start in front of the finish line (NOT the 5K start line)
10:00 a.m. – Awards ceremony for the PUBLIX WOODSTOCK 5K Overall Winners, Masters, and TEAMS in AHS Auditorium.  Age Group and All Kidstock awards will be handed out in the courtyard near the timer result tent as soon as results are available. Print out results from the timers tent in courtyard will only have time and overall placement. For official overall and age group awards utilize QR code on race bib or Click for results

Results will be posted as soon as possible.                                                                                                                                                                                    

Interested in sponsoring the Publix Woodstock 5K or the Anniston Runners Club as a whole? See below for our 2026 sponsorship packets. We have a full suite of sponsorship levels starting at $300 and more beyond each increasing dollar amount. Anniston Runners Club sponsors receive all benefits of Woodstock sponsors and much more, starting at $1000, with promotion for all of the club's other events, as well.

Sponsorship commitments must be made before the end of May to be guaranteed all the perks with sponsorship levels.

All sponsor levels, for just the Woodstock 5K, as well as the Anniston Runners Club, will be featured on the back of the race T-shirt, with highest-value sponsors at the top.

The Anniston Runners Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

• Anniston Runners Club Sponsorship ($1,000 - $10,000): Link Here
• Publix Woodstock 5K Sponsorship ($300 - $10,000): Link Here

TO BE GUARANTEED A 2026 PUBLIX WOODSTOCK 5K/1K T-SHIRT, YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BY June 30th. Afterwards, it will be allocated by whatever stock is available.

In previous years, more than 1000 runners have participated in the event, with even more on site as spectators and volunteers. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business.   Food vendors are welcome!  Don't worry that it is early in the morning.  Runners eat anything anytime of day!  You also can set up on Friday, August 1st at noon (runners will be picking up their race bibs until 6pm that day). 

If you are interested, please submit your applications by email or mail no later than 7/25/2025.  Click on PDF to download application. 

Back by popular demand is the “Where’s Woodstock?” contest! Email or tag us on Facebook in your unique photos in a Woodstock shirt and consider yourself entered in our contest to win a canvas photo. Top 3 winners will be announced at packet pick up. Deadline for submissions is July 15th.

2025 Winners:

2024 Winners:

2023 Winners:

1. I already registered and forgot to join a team, what can I do? Under your RunSignUp account (click the head icon in the corner), you can manage your registration. Go to My Registrations in the drop-down menu, then select Manage Registration under the Woodstock 5K section. On desktop, select Woodstock 5K Team from the navigation menu at the top. On mobile, this menu is at the bottom of the page. You can add yourself to a team or change to another team.
                                        
2. I am unable to run this year. What can I do? We do not offer refunds or deferrals; this is signed and agreed upon as part of the waiver during registration. You were offered race insurance for $3.99 during the registration process. However, you may transfer your entry to another runner or another Anniston Runners Club race. A $5 fee will be charged to the transferred runner during the process.  You will need their email to complete the transfer. This is all managed under your RunSignUp account (click the head icon in the corner). Go to My Registrations in the drop-down menu, then select Manage Registration under the Woodstock 5K section. You will have a number of options depending on what you would like to do with your registration.

3. Can I run with my dog? The waiver signed during registrations explains that no dogs are allowed on the course for insurance purposes. However, if you have a service dog, you will need to contact the race and supply the proper documentation. The dog must be labeled on race day as a service dog. For those with vision-related disabilities, we prefer you have a guide runner. We will offer a free entry to the guide runner. Contact the race to make arrangements.     
                                                                                                                                       
4. Can I change my shirt size? Under your RunSignUp account (click the head icon in the corner), you can manage your registration. Go to My Registrations in the drop-down menu, then select Manage Registration under the Woodstock 5K section. A link to change this is available under the registration information, following the section "Give-Away Option." Click on the link where your current shirt size is listed. If the stock is still available in the new desired size, you will be able to change your selection.

5. Can I give my Bib to another runner? ONLY if you go through the transfer process under your RunSignUp account. Giving your bib away without transferring the entry can result in delays for awards and results. You MUST transfer your entry as part of this process; please do not give your bib to another runner without doing so.

6. I can't remember if I registered - how can I check? You have two options: Use the "look up participant" tab on the RunSignup page for Woodstock. Alternatively, go to your RunSignup account (click the head icon in the corner) and select My Registrations.

7. Are any vehicles allowed on the course? This is included in our course rules and the waiver. Strollers are allowed, so long as they are at the back of the starting line, and the child in the stroller is not a participant. However, no bicycles, skates, hoverboards, other vehicles, etc. are allowed on the race course.

8. Can someone else pick up for me during packet pick-up? Yes. Other participants or friends/family are allowed to pick up your packet with your final confirmation email in-hand or just your name will be sufficient.

     Under the RACE INFO TAB at the top of our RunSignUp page, you will find helpful information including parking, weather policy, course maps, and more.  https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Anniston/Woodstock5K