11 Birmingham races that support good causes this spring + summer

Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher

Reading time: 8 minutes

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A group of runners jump for joy after completing the 2025 Red Shoe Run: Rockin' 5K in downtown Birmingham, Alabama
How it feels to support good causes in Birmingham with your friends! (Ronald McDonald House Alabama)

Lace up your sneakers and start stretching: This spring and summer 2026 are packed with 5ks, fun runs and memorial walks supporting charitable causes in the Greater Birmingham Area.

Use the following guide to find an upcoming Birmingham race (or two, or three!) that fits your pace and passions this season.

Read more below, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get news like this delivered to your inbox.

1. Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5k [Discount Code]

Ronald McDonald high fives a runner in the 2025 Red Shoe Run: Rockin' 5K in downtown Birmingham, Alabama
Make sure you get a photo with Ronald himself! (Ronald McDonald House Alabama)

Join Ronald McDonald House Alabama for a rockin’ mornin’ of music and movement benefiting the families staying at the House while their children receive medical care in Birmingham hospitals. 🤩 EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: The first 50 folks to register for the Red Shoe Run + use our code BHAMNOW will get $10 off!

2. 16th Annual Mutt Strutt 5k + Fun Run

Birmingham, Hand in Paw, Mutt Strut, Homewood Central Park
Leashed dogs are welcome to join in on the fun! (Hand in Paw)

Brush up on your Ross and Rachel impressions for this year’s Friends-themed, dog-friendly, Annual Mutt Strutt! Presented by Creative Dog Training, the event benefits Hand in Paw’s Animal-Assisted Therapy life-changing programs in our local hospitals, schools, and other health facilities.

  • Benefiting: Hand in Paw [👈 CLICK TO WIN: Enter for a $670 prize package; entries close on Friday 4/3/26]
  • When: Saturday, April 11, 2026
  • Where: Homewood Central Park, 1632 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL US 35209
  • Event Details:
    • Registration Opens: 7:30AM
    • Race Options: 5k, 1-Mile Fun Run, “Sleep In” remote option
    • Registration Fee: $30 – 5k | $25 – Fun Run | $25 – Sleep In | $20 – Kids 5-12
    • What to Wear: ‘90s and/or Friends themed costumes encouraged
    • Leashed dogs welcome!
  • Register | Instagram | Facebook

3. Anna’s Arms Butterfly 5k

Anna's Arms logo pink butterfly with gold lettering and floral accents
Anna’s Arms provides hope to grieving families in Birmingham, AL

Support the women and families in your community who have experienced child loss by participating in this meaningful memorial walk/run and butterfly release honoring those lost. The event benefits Anna’s Arms, a Birmingham-based organization that provides comfort boxes and continued support to mothers experiencing pregnancy loss.

4. 3rd Annual Steps for Summer 5k + Wellness Festival

smiles, kids running 5K
Smiles abound on the R(un) for One 5K. (Lifeline Children’s Services)

Put your step goal to good use and register for the Sixth Avenue Community Development Corporation’s Steps for Summer 5k & Wellness Festival, benefiting their summer camp scholarships and programs providing enriching academic, arts and skills-based experiences to local elementary school students. Don’t want to walk or run? Attend the Wellness Festival for free and enjoy games, vendors, salsa dancing, food and more!

5. 10th Annual End Addiction Bham Walk

End Addiction Birmingham 2024
The End Addiction Bham Walk is more than just a walk, it’s a community gathering. (Addiction Prevention Coalition)

Support the Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) in their mission to eliminate addiction, those in celebrate those in recovery, and raise awareness about the substance abuse crisis in Central Alabama by registering to participate in this year’s End Addiction Bham Walk!

Check out their website for additional activities taking place in tandem with the walk, including the Memorial Flag Garden honoring those lost to overdose.

6. 20th Annual Spring Scramble 5k

modern black and white and primary colored event logo with sketch of Children's of Alabama hospital building and a silhouetted runner
Help UAB’s Pediatric Residency Program support our local pediatric hospitals! (Coat of Arms)

Grab the kids for a family-friendly 5k that supports advocacy initiatives for food insecurity, education and health promotion for children in the Birmingham community and greater Alabama. Already have a race on the books that morning? This event is a rare evening 5k!

7. Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue 5k Meow-A-Thon & 1-Mile Whisker Walk

Kitty Kat Haven Meow-A-Thon event logo in shades of blue with illustrated cat wearing athletic headband
2026 Meow-A-Thon (Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue)

Kitty Kat Haven’s Meow-A-Thon and Whisker Walk is a fun way to raise money and awareness for the no-kill, cage-free shelter for cats and kittens.

8. MotherWalk 2026: 5k & Fun Run

save the o's 5k
Gather the women in your life to walk together! (Lloyd E Beard / Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer)

Hosted by the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation, MotherWalk is held each year in Homewood to support women fighting ovarian cancer, honor those who lost their battle, celebrate strong survivors and raise awareness to increase early detection.

9. Blazer Bolt for Brain Cancer 5k

SOZO 5K
Blazer Bolt fundraises for life-changing research and services for both adult and pediatric patients (Bham Now)

Join Blazer Bolt, Inc. in their 13th annual event to support those battling brain cancer and their families, as well as fund the Birmingham hospitals, researchers and patient support services working to find a cure.

10. RUN, RIDE, and RUMBLE for PTSD Awareness

Cyclists hit the streets in Irondale
Not a runner or a rider? Snag a General Admission ticket to show your support + get a catered lunch! (Bham Now)

Each year, runners, cyclists and motorcycle bikers hit the pavement to fundraise for and support their community during PTSD Awareness Month in the RUN, RIDE, and RUMBLE at Cahaba Brewing Co. Your participation supports Sojourn Counseling, which offers accessible, sliding-scale and pro-bono counseling services to those in distress.

  • Benefiting: Sojourn Counseling
  • When: Saturday, June 13, 2026
  • Where: Cahaba Brewing Co., 4500 5th Ave S Building C, Birmingham, AL 35222
  • Event Details:
    • Historic Avondale 5k RUN Starts: 8:00AM
    • 40-mile, 25-mile, and 10-mile RIDES Starts: 8:30AM
    • 1.5 Hour RUMBLE Starts: 9:30AM | Riders Harley Davidson
    • General Event Admission: 10:00AM-2:00PM | Includes live music, catered lunch by Chuy’s, drink of choice, and cash door prizes
    • Registration Fee: $50 – Run + Rides | $35 – Rumble | $35 – General Admission | 20% off for Veterans and First Responders
  • Register | Instagram | Facebook

11. Christina Chambers Twilight 5k

woman running in marathon
Christina Chambers was an avid runner, even participating in the Boston Marathon. (Christina Chambers Twilight 5k event website)

In honor of Christina Chambers’—the late Alabama sports reporter and former UAB track athlete—join her family, friends and hometown community in a glow-stick-donned celebration of her life taken from her in a domestic violence tragedy in 2025. The event will support her young son, as well as local charities meaningful to Christina in life.

  • Benefiting: Christina’s young son, Constantine + community charities
  • When: Friday, August 7, 2026
  • Where: Cotton Creek Cullman, 417 3rd Ave SW, Cullman, AL 35055
  • Event Details:
    • Pre-Race Party & Registration Starts: 5:30PM | live music, food, vendors, kid’s activities
    • 5k Starts: 8:00PM
    • Registration Fee: $35 – includes t-shirt, bib and time chip, and glowstick kit
    • What to Wear: bright, neon clothing encouraged
  • Register | Contact

Check out our guide for other ways to get active and our event calendar for volunteer opportunities in the Birmingham area!

Let’s get those steps in—tell us about any Birmingham races we missed @bhamnow.

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Caroline Barr
Caroline Barr
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