Meet Me at the Fountain 5k

The 2026 Meet Me at the Fountain 5K is July 26, 2026

Proceeds from the 12th running of the 5K will benefit Local Rutherford County Needs.

Schedule:  

Friday - July 24th
4:00 - 6:00pm: Packet Pick Up and On-site Registration at Smith's Drugs of Forest City

Saturday - July 25th
7:00 - 8:00am: Packet Pick Up and Late On-site Registration
8:00am: 5K START
9:00am: Fun Run START

Registration:

5K Run/Walk 
$25 EARLY BIRD: 2/1/2026 - 2/8/2026
*CUTOFF TO BE GUARANTEED A T-SHIRT IS 7/6/2026*
$30 Regular Registration: 2/9/2026 - 7/19/2026
$35 Late Registration: 7/20/2026 - Race Day
$15 Kids 12 & Under *(CUTOFF TO BE GUARANTEED A T-SHIRT IS 7/6/2026)*

Fun Run (ages 8 and under): FREE [While FREE we do ask that you register in advance] Shirts are available for $15.

Awards & Age Groups:

5K: Top 3 Male/Female Overall. Top Male/Female Masters
5K: Top 3 finishers in each Age Group < 8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

Course Map: 

Click HERE for a map of the 5K course

DIY Anywhere 5K: Saturday – July 20th > Sunday - July 28th

This “Do It Yourself” Event will enable you to run/walk at any time and in any location that is convenient for you. Run around the block, on trails, go down to the track (12.5 laps = 5K), or even run on a treadmill. While not required – you can submit your time for inclusion in the online “Just For Fun” Results. We will collect times beginning Saturday July 20th until midnight Monday July 29th. There will be NO Overall or Age Group Awards.  Instructions on "How to submit your DIY Times” are listed below.
Don't like your time? Go Run or walk the same route again then submit a new time. We'll replace any/all previous times with the new one. Why not challenge yourself to improve your time every day? 
Don't want to brag about how fast you are?? You don't even have to list a time - just show that you ran or walked.

There are two ways to submit your results:

Go to the 2024 Meet Me at the Fountain 5K site >> https://runsignup.com/meetmeatthefountain5k Click on the "RESULTS" tab >> Click on “Submit Virtual Results” >> Follow the "Participant Lookup" instructions to find your registration details >> Once there – Click on “Submit Virtual Results” >> Enter Your Time >> Click “Submit Your Time”. Easy.

OR

Sign Into Your RunSignUp.com account >> Click on Your "Profile" in the Upper Right Corner >> Next to "Meet Me at the Fountain", on the right side, you'll see "Submit Virtual Results" >> click and follow the instructions to "Submit Results". Easy.

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Rules: This is a "Just For Fun - Do It Yourself - FUNdraiser" - so There Are No Rules. Everyone's on the honor system = please use a phone app like MapMyRun or Strava, OR run a confirmed distance (12.5 laps around the track, follow a local 5K route) to log your 5K run/walk. If you really want to "prove" you ran a 15:30 5K - email us a photo or screenshot of your Garmin, Strava, or other smart device via the "Race Contact Info" tab at the bottom of the page. [If you can run that fast - we'll be certain to forward it on to USA Track & Field.]

REFERRAL PROGRAM

Do you want a FREE ENTRY?  It's Simple - AFTER you’ve registered - a "Refer Your Friends!" pop-up will appear - Post, Tweet, and/or email the message to everyone you know.
OR Later -  share your unique link found in your RunSignUp Confirmation E-mail = "Remember to invite your friends..."
You'll be refunded $10 for the first three (3) friends who register for the 5K. For friends 4 & 5 receive $5 each - until your registration becomes FREE! [Free is Good!!]
Funds will be refunded, within 3-4 business day, to the credit card used for the initial registration.
Note: The intial registration processing fee will not be refunded, you can not go below $0, refunds will not apply to Add-Ons, Purchases, or Donations.