Coke 10k

Coke 10k has been "pounding the pavement" since 1982,

which makes May 2nd, 2026 the 45th Annual Running! 

Our certified course is tree-lined and runs through some of the most beautiful residential areas in Corinth, MS; beginning and ending in our historic downtown district. It has been listed in Running Times as "One of the Great 100 Short Races" and is currently the largest 10k race in MS.  We look forward to showering you with Mississippi hospitality and adding a few more Miles of Smiles to your running log!

However, with the introduction of VIRTUAL racing, and the addition of some wonderful new friends who would not otherwise be able to join us, we plan to continue to offer a virtual component.  IF for some reason we are unable to host a live event, any registrations will be automatically transferred to the virtual option.  SO, if you plan to be in Corinth on race day ... sign up for Coke 10k ... but, if you know you won't be able to join us in person, then you can sign up for VIRTUAL Coke 10k now. *Please note, due to the nature of virtual results being reliant on dependable cell service and honesty, virtual participants will not be eligible for prize money, age group awards, or trophies.  

Men, Open — Sammy Nyamongo, Kenya 29:25

Women, Open — Breeda Dennehy, Bowling Green, KY (Ireland) 34:28

Men Masters — Brian Pope, Oxford, MS 31:40

Women Masters — Jennie W. Fields, Memphis, TN 40:00

Wheelchair — Doug Price, Corinth, MS 31:46

!!! ALL LIVE EVENT AWARDS ARE BASED ON CHIP TIMING !!!

*There must be at least 2 competitors in any given category to be eligible for cash prizes.  The acceptance of prize money may affect an athlete's amateur status; acknowledgement of this is included in your registration waiver. (no award duplications)  FABULOUS gold Coke bottle medallions are distributed to each finisher at the Finish Line!

OVERALL PRIZES

Large trophies are presented to overall winners for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, masters, and grandmasters winners. 

$1,700 in cash prize money will be given to the following overall winners for both Male and Female:

1st Place Overall $300.00
2nd Place Overall $200.00
3rd Place Overall $100.00
Masters Overall $100.00
Grand Masters Overall $50.00
Wheelchair Overall $100.00

AGE GROUP PRIZES

Age group trophies are uniquely designed Coca-Cola Bottles mounted on dark wooden bases. Trophies will be given to men and women for first, second, third, fourth, and fifth places in the following age divisions:

5-8       20-24    40-44    60-64
9-11     25-29    45-49    65-69
12-14   30-34    50-54    70-74
15-19   35-39    55-59    75-79    80 and over

$3,900 in cash prize money will be given to the following winners in each age group 20 and older both Male and Female:

Trophies and prize money will be distributed approximately one hour after the course closes May 2nd.  

RRCA STATE OF MS CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

RRCA awards are presented to:
OVER ALL male and female
MASTERS male and female
GRANDMASTERS male and female
SENIOR GRAND MASTERS male and female

(No person can receive the RRCA Champion Award twice in one event)

THE RRCA AWARDS ARE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE STANDARD AWARDS OF COKE 10K

ALCORN COUNTY AWARDS

Fastest Male Runner from Alcorn County
Fastest Female Runner from Alcorn County
The two "Fastest Alcorn County" awards are above and beyond the standard awards of Coke 10k

COKE 10K OVERALL WINNERS vs MASTERS WINNERS

In the event that a master’s runner wins first place overall, he/she will receive the OVERALL money and trophy but not the master’s money and trophy.

In the event that a master’s runner wins second place overall, he/she will receive the SECOND PLACE money and trophy, but not the master’s money and trophy.

In the event that a master’s runner wins third place overall, he/she will receive the THIRD PLACE overall money and trophy, but not the master’s money and trophy.

*Please note: due to the nature of virtual results being reliant on dependable cell service and honesty, there will be no prize money, age group awards, or trophies for our VIRTUAL Coke 10k participants. All virtual participants who submit finishing times will receive finishers medallions in their race packets.

USA Track & Field Certified (#MS20005MS), our tree-lined course runs through some of the most beautiful residential areas of historic Corinth while staying clear of the railroads which helped Corinth earn its original name of Cross City.

Coke 10k, as it is now affectionately known, is currently the largest consecutively run 10k in Mississippi, and is known far and wide as a premier foot race.  It has been listed in Running Times magazine as "One of the Great 100 Short Races."  Indeed, many think it is one of the best races in the South!

If, however, you are unable to join us in person - VIRTUAL Coke 10k can be run on YOUR best course ANYwhere!

Coke 10k GOLD STANDARD BEARERS

Coke 10k enjoyed honoring area runners from 2013 - 2021 who had made significant contributions to physical fitness, either by action or example, by recognizing them as Coke 10k Gold Standard Bearers ... ordinary runners who have done extraordinary things!

RECIPIENTS

2021 - Harvey Pendergrast (Corinth, MS); Willie Sue Miller (Blue Springs, MS)

2020 - COVID VIRTUAL - no honorees:-(

2019 - John Aikin (Florence, AL); Lane Fowler (Corinth, MS); Kathy Haynes (Houlka, MS)

2018 - Colleen Johnson (Boliver, TN); Emma Baxter (Corinth, MS); Ricky Ford (Booneville, MS)

2017 - Tommy Bonds (Iuka, MS); Melinda Howard (Columbus, MS); Greg Cooley (Corinth, MS)

2016 - Alicia Gregory (Kalamazoo, MI); Nathan Hall (Corinth, MS); Heather Duley (New Albany, MS)

2015 - Roan Johnson (Saltillo, MS); Gerald Dunwoody (Nettleton, MS); Cynthia Harrell (Corinth, MS)

2014 - Woody Harrell (Corinth, MS); Janet Thompson (Corinth, MS); Vic Thayer (Bartlett, TN)

2013 - Jody Ballard (Walnut, MS); Rod Simmons (Jackson, MS); Gerald Holbrook (Germantown, TN)

We began “selling happiness” in 1905, when Avon Kenneth Weaver bought an interest in Corinth (MS) Bottling Works, a small soda water plant owned by Mr. C. C. Clark.  At that time, Coca-Cola was being produced in Jackson, Tennessee and shipped to Corinth by rail car. Mr. Weaver and Mr. Clark were set on obtaining a Coca-Cola franchise for Northeast Mississippi and while awaiting developments in Corinth, were granted a license for Coca-Cola in New Albany, Mississippi. Mr. Clark moved there to begin that operation in 1906. On April 30, 1907, Weaver & Clark were awarded a Coca-Cola franchise by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company (Thomas), Inc. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Coca-Cola Bottling Group of Corinth was formed.

Early equipment was simple. Bottles were washed and filled by hand and were capped with a foot-powered machine. The first operation consisted of only four people; one of which, a young man named Luke Caldwell, made deliveries in Corinth by wheelbarrow. Many advances have occurred in the Coca-Cola business in over a century of business. From its simple beginning, Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Group has evolved into a modern industry.

Corinth Coca-Cola was able to expand its operations considerably with acquisitions of Corinth Dr Pepper in 1969, Tupelo Coca-Cola in 1977, and  Lexington (TN) Coca-Cola in 1985.  The company operated this way for 30 years until it was able to expand again as part of The Coca-Cola Company’s 21st Century Beverage Partnership model, which brought local community ownership back to bottling partners.  As part of this new partnership model, Corinth Coca-Cola was able to acquire territory in West Tennessee and establish Jackson Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper in 2015 and territory in Arkansas and Missouri in 2017, which is serviced from facilities in Jonesboro and Searcy, Arkansas.

Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Group continues to be owned and operated by the descendants of Avon Kenneth Weaver. Not only have four generations of family members worked in the business, the company has become a multi-generational workplace for many families.

With six facilities and almost 500 associates, Corinth Coca-Cola now serves all or part of 40 counties in four states: Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, & Missouri. After starting with only three items, more than 600 different products are now offered and over 12 million cases are sold annually. 

Corinth Coca-Cola has been shaped through faith, vision, investment, and hard work. It is with pride in the past, an unfailing trust in their employees and customers, an overwhelming optimism for the future, and with an even greater determination, that it looks forward to another century of service to the area.

Coke10k began in 1982, and has been an annual tradition for over 40 years. Our race has put a spotlight on physical fitness for the community over four decades. It has introduced many to the joy and accomplishment of the sport of running. We are thrilled when we see generations of families participating in our race each year! With the race becoming such a large community draw, it presented the opportunity to use our event to further physical fitness in the community. Physical activity for children is an even greater need in this age of technology and we have elected to try to help in that area, encouraging healthy lifestyles which include regular exercise.

We are excited to be a catalyst for increasing awareness and providing funds to encourage youth fitness! We hope you will join us in making the Coke 10k Kids Get Fit Initiative a movement of positive change for our Mississippi children … please help us move them up the ranks.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM

Kids Get Fit is partnering again with our local Lighthouse Foundation to implement an in-house physical fitness program for their youth participants.  All charitable contributions received here will benefit them 100% to assist with the administration and materials for a short term curriculum designed to meet the physical activity goals outlined by the USDA:

Provide opportunities for students to develop the knowledge and skills for specific physical activities.

Teach students the importance of energy balance through healthy eating and regular exercise.

Ensure students’ regular participation in physical activity.

Teach students the short- and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthful lifestyle.

A core objective of the program is to: develop character skills such as; encouraging your friends; keeping a positive attitude; setting and achieving goals; and understanding the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You will have opportunity to monetarily support Kids Get Fit during your registration process, or you may simply make a contribution through the "Donate" button on our homepage. We greatly appreciate your help to encourage physical fitness for our students!

Coke 10k is again pleased to welcome our first and only co-sponsor, Magnolia Regional Health Center. Magnolia joins Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Group in bringing you the 45th Annual Corinth Coca-Cola Classic 10k Run. For decades, Magnolia has provided the best healthcare available for our community and the surrounding areas of Northeast Mississippi, Southwest Tennessee and Northwest Alabama. Recognizing the value of exercise, physical fitness and weight control to good health, Magnolia Regional Health Center's Board of Trustees, Administrative Staff and Employees, are excited about its partnership with one of the South's largest, oldest and best 10k races.

**START TIME ... is 8:00 AM ... Packet Pickup will be open 6:45 - 7:45 AM***

Coke 10k has "gone GREEN" and your Packet Instructions will be delivered to you via email as well as available here on our website!  LESS paper for you to have to keep up with; and the data will ALWAYS be at your fingertips:-) 

ROD SIMMONS

Rod Simmons, from the Jackson area, knows as much about racing in Mississippi as anyone. Be sure to ‘like’ Rods Racers on Facebook and follow him on Twitter. He’s a great running promoter and does a lot for the running community of Mississippi. We are grateful for Rod's photography at Coke 10k over MANY years!

Rods Racers

Just4Running has LOTS of pictures for 2022, 2023, and 2024 on their Facebook page ... be sure to look them up!

Just4Running

PLEASE take the time to include emergency information on the back side of your bib. For the safety of all concerned, the course is restricted to registered runners, walkers, self-propelled wheelchairs (under WSUSA rules; helmets and brakes required) and official racing strollers. Dogs, bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, wagons, skateboards, hand-cranked wheelchairs or motorized wheelchairs are not allowed.

*RRCA regulations proscribe the use of headphones.

DISQUALIFICATION

Anyone who does not follow the safety rules listed above, who does not follow appropriate starting procedure, who jumps into the race along the course, or who does not follow generally accepted rules for the safe and fair conduct of a running event, may be deleted from the official results and disqualified from the Coca-Cola Classic 10k for up to two years.

Please download the pdf below for detailed instructions on how to transfer from Live Coke 10k to Virtual Coke 10k or vice versa.  If you know you will not be able to join us on May 2nd for the live event, please be sure that you are registered for the virtual event to free up space for live participants since there is a limited field:-) If however you are signed up for the virtual event, and you are now planning to join us for the live event ... be sure to switch your registration so that you can enjoy the receipt of your medallion at the finish line and be eligible for a trophy and prize money!

This opportunity to transfer your registration between events MUST END before the timing for the virtual event begins ... at midnight (CDT) on Friday April 24th! 

We want to make your race day the very best it can be; therefore Coke 10k registration will close at 6 pm Friday, May 1st (or sooner if registration reaches capacity). Virtual Coke 10k registration will remain open until 11:59pm May 1st.  The ability to switch between the virtual or live event will cease when timing for the virtual event begins Saturday, April 25th.  *Please note: there is NO race day registration.

PACKET PICKUP

Race packets will include your “tech” shirt, timing device, instructions, and bib number (excluded for virtual participants ... you will be able to print your bib). 

Packets can be picked up as described below:

Where:  Corinth Coke • 302 Foote Street  • 662-287-1433
When:   Mon.-Fri. (4/27 - 5/1) 11:00am - 5:30pm;
              or Race Day 6:45 - 7:45 am

VIRTUAL Coke 10k Packets will be mailed AFTER the close of virtual timing (beginning May 4th).   (If for some reason you elect not to run the virtual race, you will not receive a finisher's medal in your packet.)

*SORRY - desired shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed for late registrants.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

Timing for VIRTUAL Coke 10k will begin Saturday, April 25th @ 12:00 am (CDT) and close Saturday, May 2nd @ 3:00 pm (CDT).

Saturday, May 2nd

6:45-7:45 Packet Pickup

8:00 Race Starts

10:00 Finish Line Closes

Awards Distributed (as SOON as calculated! ~11:00)

AROUND TOWN

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
7:00-11:00
www.corinthkiwanis.org

Green Market
9:00 - 3:00 @ CARE Honor Garden
www.corinthgreenmarket.com

The Crossroads Museum
10:00 - 4:00 Free Admission (with bib) on Race Day
www.crossroadsmuseum.com

2026 Coke 10k will use ChronoTrack timing technology. To get an official race time and be included in results, participants MUST wear a bib number with timing device on front of body  (see below)   so they can be validated at the finish on camera. The B-Tag technology allows for precision and timing accuracy in road racing performance.

VIRTUAL Coke 10k will use RaceJoy GPS tracking technology. The preferred method for getting an official race time and to be included in the virtual results, participants should download the free RaceJoy app to their smartphones and carry that device with them during the completion of their course route.  If you are unable to carry your phone; will be in a location with poor cell service; or need to complete your miles inside or on a treadmill, then you can upload directly to the RunSignUp system through the Results tab on this webpage. 

Our timing company, Best Times, is a certified timer for RaceJoy and will be compiling all Live AND Virtual results for us:-) 

Best Times ... Sports Event Timing at Its Best

Certainly, one needs to prepare slowly for a race of this length. A program that starts with walking and gradually increases to running is best. The wrong thing to do is to walk or run the 6.2 miles after just a week or two of training.

Our training program begins February 1st, and it is a good tool to help you achieve your goal of finishing the Coca-Cola Classic 10k strong and injury-free.

We are trying to promote the race as a catalyst for people to use to begin a healthy lifestyle. We hear so much talk about poor diet and the lack of physical exercise that today’s generation has. The Race is not just a one-day event. The preparation and training that begins weeks before the Race can be your ticket to a new beginning for you.

Grab a friend and start a new lifestyle that includes a healthy diet as well as proper physical exercise.

GET READY FOR COKE 10k the First Saturday in May

TRAINING SUGGESTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS:

1. Spend a few minutes before and after your workout doing some light stretching.

2. Mixing – if you are just starting, mixing short periods of running and walking is best. As you get stronger, you can lengthen the running time.

3. Practice LSD – long slow distance. Think about the duration of your activity, not speed. Too hard and too fast will lead to injury.

4. Breathing – exercise at a “walkie-talkie” pace – the ability to talk during your exercise. Labored breathing is no fun and unnecessary. Oh yes, breathe through your mouth.

5. Listen to your body – aches and pains that last more than a few days should be checked by a health care professional. Call your doctor if you experience chest discomfort, heart rhythm changes, unusual shortness of breath, dizziness or nausea.

6. Be SURE to pay attention to the outside temperatures and try to adjust the time of your walk/run to take advantage to the cooler times of the day.  Be mindful of staying properly hydrated!

7. Older people, or anyone with pre-existing medical problems, i.e. heart or lung problems, should check with their doctor before starting an exercise program.

ALL registrants will receive a COOL custom designed race shirt!  Be sure to sign up early while there's PLENTY inventory to guarantee your desired size:-) 

EVERY Finisher will receive an AWESOME Coke bottle medallion!