2025 Veterans Day 5K Hosted by the Cherry Blossom Festival

2025 Veterans Day 5K Hosted by the Cherry Blossom Festival Race Information

<p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival is proud to host the second annual Veterans Day 5K on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course at Middle Georgia State University as part of a weekend of events honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans across Middle Georgia. A portion of proceeds from the Veterans Day weekend will benefit the Georgia Department of Veterans Service Foundation, an organization committed to helping Middle Georgia veterans remain in their homes through support with utilities, rent or mortgage assistance, and critical home repairs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">The Veterans Day 5K is one of three events taking place over Veterans Day weekend to honor, raise awareness, and financially benefit veterans in Macon-Bibb and Middle Georgia.  Events taking place during Veterans Day Weekend, November 9-10, 2025, include:</span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Veterans Day 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Middle Georgia State University</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Fourth Annual Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, November 9, 2025, in Downtown Macon</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Second annual Veterans Day Golf Tournament on Monday, November 10, 2025, at River North Country Club </span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Day of 5K Schedule</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">7:00am – Registration and Packet Pick Up</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">8:25am - National Anthem</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">8:30am - 5K Begins</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Approximately 9:30am - Awards Ceremony</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Location and Parking</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Georgia Premier Cross Country Course at Middle Georgia State University - 3450 Fulton Mill Road, Macon, Ga, 31206</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Parking for the 5K will be located at Georgia Premier Cross Country Course.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Registration</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Online registration for in person event ends Thursday, November 6, 2025.</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Same day registration is onsite only.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Refund Policy</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">No refunds will be given.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Service Animals</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Service animals are welcomed and allowed.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Weather Policy</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Veterans Day 5K is rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather race officials may cancel or delay the event in consideration of public safety. As a reminder, registration fees are non-refundable.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Awards</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Top three male, top three female, and top three Veterans overall finishers of the Veterans Day 5K.</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">In addition, we will award Top two men and top two women for each age bracket. Age brackets are as follows: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80&#43;.</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Best Red, White and Blue, patriotic outfit.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Shirts</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Participants who register by October 24, 2025, will receive their shirt on race day. Race participants who register after October 24, 2025, are not guaranteed a shirt or the size requested.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Packet Pickup</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Packet pickup for in-person participants will take place the morning of the race starting at 7:00am at the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course at Middle Georgia State University.</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong>Bathrooms</strong></span></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Bathrooms are located onsite.</span></li></ul> <p style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Thank You to Our Sponsors</span></strong></p> <ul><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Presenting Sponsor: <a href="https://smithbrownandgroover.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Smith, Brown &amp; Groover, Inc.</a></span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Supporting Sponsor: <a href="https://www.rabowentrust.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">R.A. Bowen Trust</a></span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Hydration Station Sponsor: <a href="https://www.awrlaw.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Anderson, Walker &amp; Reichert, LLP</a></span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Mile Marker Sponsors:  <a href="https://www.raffieldtire.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Raffield Tire Master</a>, <a href="https://www.adamacon.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Advanced Dental Arts</a>, and D. Lance Souther, Inc.</span></li><li style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb( 0 , 0 , 0 )">Community Sponsors: <a href="https://www.mga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Middle Georgia State University</a> and <a href="https://apparelauthority.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Apparel Authority</a></span></li></ul>