2024 MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham video reel

Courtesy of Bold As A Lion Studios

2023 MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham video reel

Courtesy of L.Jones Photography & Designs

 
 

Listen to and Download the 2021 MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham Soundtrack/Score below. Featuring Freestyle Percussion All-Stars, Sahi On Ko Djony, Exposure Community Development Corporation and Ramsay High School Drumline.

“One of the 10 Best Road Races in Alabama!”
— bestthingsal.com

The MLK Day 5K Drum Run is a fun and active event to celebrate the MLK Day holiday weekend. Since its 2012 inception in Atlanta, GA, the race has grown to over 2000 runners/walkers and featured over 200 drummers from metro area schools and groups.

The Leftover Energy Foundation Inc. presents the 9th Annual

MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham

Saturday, January 18, 2025 , 7am

  • 8am - 5K/10K Start Time

  • 9am - 1Mile Fun Run/Walk (ALL AGES)

4th Avenue Historic District

History Park

1700 4th Ave North

Birmingham, AL 35203

ABOUT

 

FAQ'S

SPONSORSHIP

The MLK Day 5K Drum Run/Walk is a celebration of the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 8th Annual race is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2025, 7am (8am 5K/10K start time, 9am 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk) and will start and finish at 1700 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 located in the Fourth Avenue Historic District of Birmingham’s Civil Rights District.

Race participants come from diverse populations that include all demographics, races, cultures, genders and creed to celebrate the meaning of the holiday in a fun and fitness way. The race features drumlines from the Birmingham metro area schools and organizations that will line up along the race course to keep the beat as the runners and walkers make their way. Each drumline will receive a donation to their band booster association through our nonprofit, The Leftover Energy Foundation Inc.

Imagine a reverse parade!!

Additionally, we are promoting the benefit and love of fitness.  Birmingham, Alabama is the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement that continues to blossom as a diverse city with emerging and progressive citizens. The running community has evolved in the city which has encouraged fitness and fun for all groups. There is a running event for every holiday and season of the year.  One national holiday with no race was Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Day.  With most Americans having the day off of work and school, this is a perfect opportunity to bring the diverse Birmingham area community together for a road race and celebration.

When each community organization signs up as a team and becomes an approved beneficiary of the race, $5 of each team member's registration will be returned to that organization for use in community efforts of its choice via our nonprofit, The Leftover Energy Foundation Inc. Example, if 100 people register under Team X, we will send a check for $500 to Team X’s organization. Get your team/organization signed up today!!

This year’s race features a 3.1-mile(5K) & 6.2-mile(10K) course providing a scenic, challenging and upbeat route through the revitalization of Birmingham. Runners and walkers will enjoy the beat of the drums as they travel through the following:

The Civil Rights District

The 4th Avenue Historic Business District

The Switch

The Park District

The Rotary Trail

Birmingham Green

Automotive Historic District

Jones Valley Trail

Avondale

The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk is open to all ages. For ages 12 years and younger, the 1 Mile is a level and fun course for our active youths with the featured drumlines. We will have the course staffed and we also encourage parents/guardians to travel with younger participants. For the adults, the 1 Mile is great for groups and also give you the opportunity to recharge, and reflect as you burn calories. The 1 Mile course travels through:

The Civil Rights District

The 4th Avenue Historic Business District

The Switch

The pre-race activities include music, warm-up and inspiration that makes this holiday great. Post race activities include booths presented by sponsors and various organizations and a friendly drumline exhibition. Also we cannot forget the race goodie bag including the official MLK DAY 5K Drum Run shirt.

5K Race Cost: 10K Race Cost: 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk Cost:

$35.00 until 12/31/2024 $45.00 until 12/31/2024 $20.00

$40.00 beginning 01/01/2025 $50.00 beginning 01/01/2025

$45.00 race day 01/18/2025 $55.00 race day 01/13/2025

 

INSPIRE, FITNESS & FELLOWSHIP

 

CURRENT & PAST APPROVED BENEFICIARIES

Morehouse College Birmingham Alumni Chapter

Great I Am Ministries Outreach International

Black People - Run Bike and Swim

The Tri-County (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

One Place FJC- Camp Hope America-Alabama

Birmingham Children’s Theater

Oak Tree Ministries

Jefferson County Memorial Project

Ensley Business Alliance

Black Girls Run

The Valley Pearls Service Foundation

Divine Nine Walkers and Runners

BSC Runs Forward Ever

Team REGIONS

Girls on the Run Birmingham

 The Freestyle Percussion Foundation

Brenda's Brown Bosom Buddies [BBBB]

Locust Fork Emerald Night Band

UAB School of Public Health

NC100BW Central AL

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Spelman College-Birmingham Alumnae Chapter

If you are interested in becoming an approved beneficiary please contact race director, Herman Mannings III, at

info@leftoverenergy.com or 470-444-9844

Be A Sponsor

The MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham cannot be a success without our beloved community of Sponsors and Volunteers.

The 2025 MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham celebrates a diverse crowd of men, women and children in and around Birmingham in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of the “beloved community.” The purpose of the race is special: INSPIRE, FITNESS and foster FELLOWSHIP in celebration of the beloved community that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned.

Your tax deductible contribution assists The Leftover Energy Foundation Inc. in providing scholarships to metro Birmingham area high school seniors and assistance to the race beneficiary community organizations. Our goal is to build long term/multiyear relationships between our organizations. Along with the healthy vibes, we would love to make race day "EPIC" with a sponsor like you! With the excitement from the local schools, churches and community orgs, we are anticipating a large number of participants to join us on January 18, 2025 for the MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham.

 Click the SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES link below to become a MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham Sponsor. Please call Herman Mannings III 470-444-9844 or email info@leftoverenergy.com for any sponsorship questions. Please call to discuss Title Sponsorship.

Thank you for your consideration of sponsorship.

 

Sponsor a Runner/Walker

We provide the option for you to sponsor a runner/walker of one of our APPROVED BENEFICIARIES or TEAMS of your choice. Upon receipt of your sponsorship, we will notify the respective group of your sponsorship and they will apply it to a runner/walker on their team. You can also make a GENERAL SPONSORSHIP to the race below or mail us a check. Please contact us for any amounts not listed or larger amounts at info@leftoverenergy.com. THANK YOU for your SUPPORT!!

Sponsor a Runner/Walker. (Please contact us for larger amounts)
Choose APPROVED Beneficiary
Another Team Name
Benefactor (Your Name)

We're Grateful for Our Sponsors:

 

We're Grateful for Our Partners:

 

 

 

 Volunteer Positions

A great race loves great volunteers!  

Click HERE to Volunteer.

RACE ASSISTANTS - Assist Race Organizers throughout the whole event. Must be mobile, have mobile phone, organization skills, dependable and a positive attitude.

SET UP/BREAKDOWN - Volunteers will set up and breakdown race course and site

ENVIRONMENTAL - Keep race course and race day site clean from debris.

RACE COURSE WATER STATION - Water station between the one mile & two mile marker.

COURSE AMBASSADORS - Directing participants to race day registration packet pick up. Directing participants towards the stage and starting line area. Directing participants to after race refreshments and T-Shirt and race bag pick up.

FINISH LINE WATER STOP AND REFRESHMENTS - The water station at the start/finish of the race. Filling cups, stocking snacks and cleaning up area.

DRUMLINE ATTENDANT – Will assist drumline set up at site location on race course.

PARKING - This is a very important job. Each runners experience starts with parking. We need enthused people who will be able to direct attendees to parking. We need them to warmly welcome attendees with open arms and helpfully direct them to registration. Also to roam parking areas.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the registration cost?

5K Registration: 10K Registration: 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk (All ages)

$35.00 until 12/31/2024 $45.00 until 12/31/2024 $20.00

$40.00 beginning 01/01/2025 $50.00 beginning 01/01/2025

$45.00 race day 01/18/2025 $55.00 race day 01/18/2025

**REFUNDS ARE NOT ALLOWED FOR THIS RACE**

Is the race timed?

Yes, the 5K & 10K are chip timed by a professional timing company. The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk is not timed.

Are the courses USATF Certified?

YES!! 5K - (USATF CERTIFIED #AL24029JE) and 10K - (USATF CERTIFIED #AL24030JE)

I want to bring my children and their friends. Do children have to register too?

Children can register for the 5K & 10K. We also have 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk for children.

How do I get my school drumline or drum corps involved in the Drum Run?

Please contact the Race Director Herman Mannings III or 470-444-9844 or info@leftoverenergy.com to register your drumline. Each drumline will become a beneficiary of the race and receive a donation to their respective booster club.

Where do I park?

There is plenty of street parking around the area. In addition, there will be some first come, first serve parking lots (LOOK FOR THE SIGNS).

What if the weather does not look good?

The race is a rain/shine/cold/hot event. We will alert participants if lightning or severe weather conditions occur.

Where do I get my race packet? Is there a shirt?

Yes, registered participants will receive the popular MLK Day 5K Drum Run race shirt!! To guarantee your shirt size, please register by 01/06/2025.

Packet Pick up date Friday, January 17, 2025, 11AM-5PM. Location: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203. We will be in “The Commons” area next to the Gift Shop.

You can also pick up your race packet on race day Saturday, January 18, 2025, beginning at 7 am. History Park 1700 4th Ave N, Birmingham AL 35203

If you live out of state and registered for the virtual, to receive your race packet by race date, please register by 01/06/2025. Any out of town registrations after 01/06/2025, your packet will be mailed after the race 01/18/2025.

Is there race day registration?

Yes, race day registration begins at 7:00 am and closes at 7:45 am. Online registration will end on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 7:45 am!  

I don’t or can’t walk/run in the race but I want to support it or a runner?

You can still provide your support for a runner or a team by going to the “SPONSOR A RUNNER/WALKER” section on the www.mlkday5kbham.com website. From there you can sponsor runners and choose an APPROVED Beneficiary or enter the name of a organization/participant. You can also make a DONATION via the DONATION LINK here or via the registration page.

I don’t see the “TEAM” I’m with listed on the Entry List page. Why? What to do?

If you didn’t select your “TEAM” name (beneficiary) on the registration, please let us know, so we make sure your funds go to the appropriate organization.  Please email info@leftoverenergy.com and tell us your name and organization/team and we will update it.

Is the event family friendly?

Yes, this event is a first of the year family friendly event and open to all ages. We will have family friendly music, sponsors booths, activities and drummers from area high schools.

Who/What does the race benefit?

The MLK Day 5K Drum Run - Birmingham will benefit the participating drumlines, scholarships to participating drumline graduating seniors and the approved Teams/Beneficiaries (Birmingham area schools, churches, community organizations and businesses) via our nonprofit partner, The Leftover Energy Foundation Inc. Many Teams/Beneficiaries are using the MLK Day 5K Drum Run as a fundraiser for their community-oriented initiatives.  $5 of each team member’s registration will go to the “team” you choose when you register.  For example, if 100 people register under Team X, we will send a check for $500 to Team X’s organization. See the full list of beneficiaries on www.mlkday5kbham.com.

**Refunds are not allowed for this race.**

Do you have more questions? Contact Us!

Leftover Energy LLC

P.O. Box 382901
Birmingham, AL 35238

470-444-9844

Herman Mannings III, Race Director