BTC Vulcan Run

Welcome to the 52nd edition of this classic Birmingham race. What started as the Bicentennial Run in November 1975 with 221 runners has grown into one of the most popular road races in the Southeast. Click through the links under the Race Info menu for more information about the race.

Shirts
Participants receive a gender-neutral shirt designed especially for this race. You must register by October 19 to guarantee receiving a shirt.

The course starts in downtown Homewood in front of City Hall. From there the course roams through beautiful neighborhoods before finishing back at City Hall.

USATF Certified Course Number AL25035JE

View USATF Certification (opens from the USATF website)

Course Map and Elevation Profile

Please note that this is not the course for the 2023 race. The course follows a scenic route from downtown Birmingham through Highland Park and Five Points South before returning to a finish next to Linn Park. The course is certified by USA Track and Field.

USATF Certified Course Number AL12067JD

• View USATF Certification (opens from the USATF website)

Course Map and Elevation Profile

Awards for the Vulcan Run fall into multiple categories. Please note that all awards are based on gun time and that award rules vary as described in each category.

Cash Prizes

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top five male and female overall finishers as well as the top masters finishers in the 10k race. Double dipping is allowed in this award category. For example, a top masters runner that finishes in the top five overall would win cash prizes for both placements.

Male and Female Overall
1st - $500
2nd - $250
3rd - $200
4th - $150
5th - $100
Male and Female Masters (40+ years of age)
1st - $100

Regular Awards

Overall and age-group awards will be given for the top male and female finishers in the divisions listed below. Double dipping of these awards is not permitted. For example, a masters runner that wins an overall award will not win awards in the masters or age-group divisions.

Top 5 Overall
Top 3 Master (40+)
Top 1 Grand Master (50+)
Top 1 Senior Grand Master (60+)
Top 3 in 5 year age brackets from 0-14 thru 75+

Certificates

Come back to this web site after results are posted to print a finisher's certificate suitable for framing.

This race is a part of the BTC Race Series. The BTC Race Series is a specially-priced bundle that allows you to register for all four BTC-hosted races in one easy step and at significant savings. This special bundle pricing is only open until the first race in the series, Adam's Heart Runs. Until this deadline passes, you can register for the bundle from any of the four race web sites listed below. Signing up for the bundle automatically registers you for all four races.

The registration price for the BTC Race Series is $130. Birmingham Track Club members receive a discount of $5 per race for each of the four races, giving a total discount of $20 and lowering the BTC Race Series price to $110. If you are not a BTC member, take this opportunity to join and reap the savings!

Here are the four races in the 2026 BTC Race Series. Click on a race name to go to the respective web site for more detailed information.

• Adam's Heart Runs - January 31, 2026
  Come run the roads of Oak Mountain State Park. Pick your race distance from 5k, 10k or 10-mile options.
• Statue to Statue - April 4, 2026
  Starting in the shadow of Vulcan's statue and finishing near the Statue of Liberty, this race is known as "The South's Toughest 15k". You haven't run Birmingham until you run this race!
• Peavine Falls Run - July 4, 2026
  This is our annual July 4th party in Oak Mountain State Park - that is if you consider running up and back down the mountain a party. This is another signature race that any Brimingham runner has to have on their running resume.
• Vulcan Run 10k/5k - November 7, 2026
  A Birmingham tradition for more than 50 years. This is one of the finest races you will ever run. Now featuring 5k in addition to the long-running 10k.

ATTENTION: The Elite Athlete division for 2018 is filled. No further applications will be processed. You may still register for the race as a regular runner. All registered runners are eligible for all prizes.

We welcome Elite Athletes to the Vulcan Run 10k field. To be considered for the Elite Athlete division, you must:

• Complete the Elite Athlete application form.
  Elite Athlete Application (opens in a new window)
  
  
• Dowload and complete the appropriate tax form.
  U.S. Citizens click here (opens in a new window)
  Foreign Citizens click here (opens in a new window)
  
  
• Email the completed tax form to Kile Putman, Elite Athlete Coordinator, at:
  kputman@bellsouth.net
  
  
  

Elite Athlete Packet Pickup

Elite Athlete packet pickup will be held Friday, November 2nd at The J.Clyde from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm.

The J. Clyde
1312 Cobb Lane
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
Map

This is an opportunity for elite athletes to receive their race packets, review the 10k course and address any questions or concerns with the race director, the elite athlete coordinator and the BTC president. Light refreshments will be served. Elite athletes must either pick up their packets during this time OR on race morning. Elite athlete packets WILL NOT be available for pick up during general packet pickup at The Trak Shak.

Advanced Packet Pickup
Friday, November 6, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Location: The Trak Shak
2839 18th Street South
Homewood, AL 35209
Map

• Advanced packet pickup is highly encouraged to minimize congestion on race day.
  
  

Saturday, November 7
Race Day!

Location: Rosewood Hall
2850 19th Street South
Homewood, AL 35209
Map

6:30 am - Packet Pickup Opens
7:30 am - Registration Closes
7:30 am - Race Start for All Walkers
7:50 am - Packet Pickup Closes
8:00 am - Race Start 
9:30 am - Awards Presentation

To engage the local running community with elite athletes coming to compete in the 2018 Vulcan Run 10K, the BTC is looking for people willing to host runners on Friday, November 2nd. This year’s field will again include sub-4 minute milers, Olympic Trials competitors, athletes with local connections as well as international athletes.

If you can provide:
A warm bed
A hot shower
Airport pickup on Friday*
Transportation around town*
Birmingham Track Club hospitality

You will receive:
Complementary entry into the Vulcan Run 10k
Entry to the private elite athlete packet pickup  
Use of the elite bag drop area near the start

Contact Elite Athlete Coordinator Kile Putman for more information
kputman@bellsouth.net 

Born in 1975 as the U.S. Bicentennial 10,000 Meter Run and renamed in 1976, the Birmingham Track Club’s Vulcan 10k is one of the area's oldest races. The 2015 race with be its 41st running. The fascinating history of the Vulcan Run has been documented in the Birmingham Track Club newsletter, The Vulcan Runner. Follow the links below to read the articles about the Vulcan Run from 1975-2012.

• Vulcan Run History: 1975-1990
• Vulcan Run History: 1991-2012

BTC Safe Race Plan

The Birmingham Track Club Executive Board formed a Safety sub-committee to discuss and formulate a race safety plan in consideration of the Covid-19 pandemic. These are the steps we will take to ensure all participants, volunteers, and spectators will be kept safe before, during, and after races managed by the BTC. Some of the items below may not apply at all races (for example, timing items do not apply to untimed races) but are listed here to be consistent across all BTC events.

Pre-Race Plan

1. Pre-race instructions provided to runners will encourage each to bring their own mask to be worn before and after the race (and during if they so choose).
2. Participants are urged not to attend if they feel sick or have been in close proximity to anyone who has been sick or tested positive for Covid-19.
3. Those that are “high risk” individuals will be urged not to attend. Please reference CDC guidelines for the definition of high risk: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html
4. Volunteers will be provided with masks and gloves for their own protection and that of other participants.
5. Hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes will be on hand to wipe down surfaces of tables and other touch points. Hand sanitizer will be available for participant use as well.
6. Tables for race bib pickup will be spaced and temporary markings will be placed on the ground at intervals of six feet to maintain social distancing.
7. Race day registration will be discouraged, and participants will be urged to pick up race packets off-site the day before the race if offered. If registering the day of the race, registrants must use their own smartphone (or other Internet-capable) device to register and registration will close 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the race.
8. While we are not currently limiting the number of participants in the race, we reserve the right to close registration if the number of participants exceeds that for which we can conduct a safe race.

Race Plan

1. Walkers may start early and will be asked to maintain space between one another on the course.
2. Runners will start in waves, grouped by estimated finishing time. Temporary markings will be placed at the starting line to space participants six feet apart.
3. There will be a timing mat at the starting line in addition to the normal timing mat at the finish line. Results and awards, if any awards are to be presented, will be based on chip time.
4. Runners will be asked not to congregate at the start line until a minute before your wave begins. This will all be clearly communicated on race day and volunteers will be there to help direct participants.
5. Runners will be asked to be considerate of others on the course and maintain social distancing where possible (when runners are passing each other going up/coming down the road).
6. Water stop(s) will be manned by masked and gloved volunteers who will be ensuring that runners are spaced out when approaching the tables to pick up water. When possible, we will secure individual small bottles of water and sports drink. Otherwise, we will utilize sanitized coolers and only our gloved/masked volunteers will be touching the coolers/cups prior to use. Runners will pick up their own cups/bottles from the water station to limit contact between volunteers and runners.
7. Runners will be encouraged to carry their own hydration as well so as to limit the numbers using the water stop.

Post-Race Plan

1. Upon crossing the finish line, runners will be escorted to the post-race hydration tables which will be some distance away from the finish line to discourage groups from hovering at the finish line. Masked and gloved volunteers will be present to provide hydration at the finish.
2. Food and beverage options at the finish line will be limited and will again be controlled by our gloved/masked volunteers.
3. Awards will be announced via email to all participants and any awards will be mailed/presented to recipients off site to avoid gathering after the race.
4. Hand sanitizer will again be available after the race for all to use.

We understand that there are many changes being presented, but we trust the excitement of being able to continue racing will greatly outweigh the limitations we must put in place to do so safely. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we implement this race safety plan. We are grateful for our Birmingham running community and for the support of all our BTC members and others that support our races.

Other General Safety Plans

The Birmingham Track Club has a medical professional on site for all of our races.

Should you have any questions about our race plan, please contact the race director via the link on the main race page.

We are excited to once again offer a team competition!

Competitive Team Categories

• All Male - All team members are male
• All Female - All team members are female
• Co-Ed - Must include at least two female and two male team members.

Competitive Team Rules

1. All teams (male, female, and Co-Ed) will consist of a minimum of 5 members. There is no maximum number of members per team.
2. The team captain must register first to create the team. Team members may then register and join the team.
3. A minimum of 5 team members must register for and complete the 10K race.
4. Scoring: For male and female teams, top 5 overall places based on gun time will be added. For Co-Ed Teams, the top 2 male and top 2 female places based on gun time will be combined with the 5th overall place. The lowest score wins! 
5. Awards: Awards will be presented to the top team in each of the 3 categories, as well as the overall largest team (male, female, or Co-Ed). 

Typical November weather in Birmingham is an average low temperature of 46 ℉ and an average high temperature of 69℉. In other words, the weather is usually perfect for racing! If you want more details as race day approaches, click the link below for a forecast from weather.com.

Weather Forecast for Birmingham, AL

This event will occur rain or shine, warm or cold. We reserve the right to cancel in extreme circumstances. In that event, there will be no refunds. Your entry fee will be used as a donation to the Birmingham Track Club.