MLK Day Drum Run - Birmingham
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Event details
The MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham is an in-person and virtual running event presented by The Leftover Energy Foundation Inc. It is scheduled for January 17, 2026 and is held in the Fourth Avenue Historic District at History Park, 1700 4th Ave North, Birmingham, AL 35203. The event is listed as the 10th annual edition and traces its origin to a 2012 event in Atlanta. Past editions have attracted over 2,000 runners and more than 200 drummers.
Races, course and beneficiaries
The event offers the following distances:
- 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk (youth and adult divisions)
- 5K (3.1 miles) - USATF certified #AL24029JE
- 10K (6.2 miles) - USATF certified #AL24030JE
The course passes through parts of Birmingham including the Civil Rights District, Fourth Avenue Historic Business District, The Switch, The Park District, Rotary Trail, Birmingham Green, Automotive Historic District, Jones Valley Trail and Avondale. Drumlines from local schools and organizations perform along the course; each participating drumline receives a donation to its booster association. Registered teams designated as approved beneficiaries receive $5 per team member’s registration for their organization. The 5K and 10K are chip timed; the 1 Mile is not timed. Registered participants receive a race shirt and race goodie bag. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
