Please join us for the 4th Annual Big Marsh 5K and Fun Run Race to be held on Saturday, October 25th, 2025 at Southland Academy. Runners, Joggers, Walkers, and individuals of all ages and athletic abilities are welcome to participate. Wearing a costume during the Fun Run is encouraged. Candy will be given out on the track during the run, too. The race is held in memory of Marshall Welch, from Americus, GA and proceeds will help fund the Southland Academy General Scholarship.
After the race, Southland Academy will host a Spooktacular Fall Festival family event. They can jump on the the huge bounce house or giant slide, challenge each other to a game of Giant Jenga or Giant Connect Four, or they can take advantage of the Trunk Or Treat and get as much candy as they want. We will also have a Paint Your Pumpkin stand, face painting, and a costume contest. The fun is up to you. There will also be Chic-Fil-A and Kona Ice in front of the Crisp Media Center, so both parents and kids can get their fill.
Registration cost will be $30 for the 5K and the Fun Run will be $20. Both of these registration fees will include admission into Southland's Fall Festival and a race t-shirt (if pre-registered by October 19th). If you plan to only attend the Fall Festival and NOT run, admission will be $10 (if registered online but $12 at the door).
There will be a $200 CASH PRIZE for the Overall Male and Overall Female winners. In addition, there will be a $100 CASH PRIZE to the Overall Male Masters and Overall Female Masters winners. The Master's age group is defined as anyone over 40 years of age.
About Marshall Welch:
Marshall embodied what we consider to be a great person. If you knew Marshall, you knew that he was a gentle giant with a great smile and a tender heart. He always had a kind word and a soothing presence about him. You were also never far from a joke when Marshall was around. He would turn a gathering into an event by just being there. He was well-known in the Americus community not only as an amazing nurse but a huge supporter of Southland Academy and Georgia Southwestern Nursing School. He was an avid runner and golfer, who also loved volunteering and most importantly, helping others. If we can find it within ourselves to exhibit more of the behaviors that Marshall lived by, we would all be better than we are today. Again, please come run with us to help honor the memory of Marshall Welch and help raise money for the Southland Academy General Scholarship Fund.
Goals:
There are three main goals of the Big Marsh 5K and Fun Run:
1) Proceeds from the race will benefit Southland Academy's General Scholarship Fund
2) To promote health and wellness
3) To grow a sense of community
Southland Academy is a private school located in Americus that prepares its students with a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, various STEM classes, Arts programs, and athletic teams. Southland Academy's mission is to provide a firm foundation on which each student can build a strong mind, body, and spirit. Chartered in 1966 Southland has a rich history of accomplishments. Southland serves a multi-county area and attracts families who want their children to have the opportunity to achieve, learn to the best of their ability, and be challenged to perform.
During the Sign Up process, there will be a Donation window. If you do not wish to donate, please hit the CONTINUE button, leave the amount as $0.00, and you will be taken to the Check Out screen. If you do not want to run, you can still donate to this wonderful cause.
All athletes registered before race day are guaranteed a race shirt. On race day, shirts will be available but will be on a first come basis.
*Please remember that all donations are tax-deductible and will fund Southland's scholarship program. This program defrays some of the cost for students, which frees them to focus on a quality education.
