FAQ – 5K Race to End Homelessness

The race will be in-person with a virtual option. The in-person race will take place at Pemberton Place Greenspace on February 14, 2026 at 8:30 AM.
 
If you prefer to run wherever you are, register for the virtual option (two virtual options available based on race packet preference).

Yes, the race itself is one of the last Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race qualifiers before registration opens for the 2026 AJC Peachtree Road Race. The course is USATF certified (GA17079WC) and will include Race Result chip timing. Please note that only in-person, timed runners/walkers will be eligible. The virtual option of the race is not a qualifying event.

Yes, we will be having a wheelchair division. To enter the race as a wheelchair participant or participant with disabilities requires no special qualifications. Due to safety reasons, wheelchair athletes will start at 8:25 AM, five (5) minutes in advance of the 5K athletes whom will start at 8:30 AM that Saturday morning.

Yes, there will be awards for this year’s race. The awards ceremony will take place after the race at 9:40 AM in the stage area. Overall awards are based on Gun Time. Age group awards are based on Chip Time. Please note that there will not be finisher medals as this will allow for those fees to instead go towards providing shelter and emergency services during the cold winter months. However, there is an option to add on a medal at registration for a small fee.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a sponsor! For all sponsorship inquiries, please reach out to us using the contact form below.

Atlanta Mission is hosting Miles for Hope, a fundraising challenge that gives our 5K race participants (in-person and virtual) the chance to advocate for those who would otherwise sleep in the cold. There are two ways to earn an exclusive sweatshirt:

– Raise $500 through your individual fundraising page.
– Become a Restoration Partner monthly donor (starting at just $5/month!).

Fundraising for the Miles for Hope Challenge closes before race day on February 14 at 12:00 AM (midnight) EST. In-person participants who meet the $500 goal by the deadline can pick up their sweatshirt at packet pickup.

Each participant (in-person or virtual) who reaches the $500 individual fundraising goal will receive one sweatshirt. Fundraising must be done through the participant’s individual page (not a team page), even if they’re part of a company or team. For questions about the Miles for Hope Challenge, send us a message.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! Volunteer opportunities will be posted here when they are available.

Registration is open.

Deadline to register for a virtual packet (delivered by mail) : January 16, 2026

Deadline to register for virtual packet (in-person pickup) : February 11, 2026

Deadline to register online for in-person race: February 13, 2026 (walk-up registration will be available on race day)

All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Atlanta Mission is a non-profit 501 (c)(3). You receive tangible/non-tangible goods in exchange for your registration fee, which include a safe and quality event, certified course, timing, scoring, post-race snacks, and entertainment. Typically, only donations above the registration fees that are made directly to the charity are eligible for tax deductions; however, you should confer with your tax professional if you have further questions.

If you choose to run the race virtually, you have the option of having your race packet shipped to you or picking it up at one of the packet pickup dates below (please ensure you select the correct virtual option when registering for the race).
 
If you register for the in-person race, you will need to pick up your race packet during one of the below times. Packet pickup will take place outside drive-thru style at the Atlanta Mission Administrative Offices at 2353 Bolton Rd NW, Atlanta, GA, 30318.
 
// Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 11 AM-6 PM 
// Friday, February 13, 2026 from 8 AM-1 PM      
 
You may also pick up your race packet on the morning of the race from 7 AM-8 AM on February 14 at Pemberton Place Greenspace. We recommend arriving early as there will be hundreds of runners picking up packets that morning.

If you signed up for the virtual race with the option of receiving a shipped race packet, you can expect to receive your packet before the race. We will begin to ship race packets on the first week of February. Due to high traffic with postal carriers, you may receive your packet a few days later than expected.
 
If you have questions or do not receive your race packet by February 13, please reach out to us below.

In order to pick up another participant’s packet, you must either bring a printed copy or email on a mobile device or their registration confirmation.

Yes, but please notify us so we can have it prepared ahead of time. Send us an email below with your team name and team members’ information.

There will be heavy event day traffic around World of Coca-Cola. Please consider taking MARTA or carpooling.

If you choose to drive, here are a few parking options:

World of Coca-Cola Parking Garage – 126 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW Atlanta, GA 30313

Georgia Aquarium Deck – 357 Luckie St NW Atlanta, GA 30313

Click here to view additional transportation instructions on the World of Coca-Cola website.

No, there will not be a bag drop at the race. Please bring only what you need for the race and store valuables in a secure location.

Yes, there will be a water station in between miles two and three on the race course. We will also provide complimentary water after the race.

Atlanta Mission may alter a published course at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to, road conditions, runner safety, and local municipality requirements. Any alterations made to the course may negate the USATF certification.

To view the 5K course map, click here.

In the event of extreme weather conditions, Atlanta Mission reserves the right to cancel the race or run it as an untimed fun run without advance notice and as advised by the Police and Fire/EMS Departments. If this should be necessary, prizes will be converted to random prizes. No entry fee refunds will be made. The final decision regarding the fate of the race will be made between 30 minutes to an hour prior to the scheduled start of the race and will be announced over the race public address system.       

We welcome runners and walkers of all ages to join us! Registration is required for all participants who will be running or walking the course. Little ones riding along in strollers are welcome and do not need to be registered.

Like many in the running community, we believe a fit family is a happy family and allow strollers in our races as long as the course and/or local government allows. However, we do ask that participants with strollers start in the back, refrain from weaving through packs of runners, and yield the right of way to other runners.        
 
We also ask that you not provide a timing chip for your stroller-bound child. We include only official participants who have run the entire course in our results and awards system.

While we love pets, we ask that you refrain from inviting them onto our race courses. Due to the large number of runners, we also ask that any spectating dogs or pets be kept on 5 foot non-retractable leashes.

Registered service dogs are permitted on the 5K race course. For safety reasons, please line up in the last corral. 

In an effort to ensure the best experience for all participants, we ask that runners comply with standard race etiquette. This includes, lining up at the starting line according to the expected race pace, giving right of way to faster runners along the course, and following guidelines given by race officials and volunteers (race crew members). 
 
As with any social setting, there are many subtle details included in proper etiquette. However, if you abstain from cutting sharply in front of a competitor, refrain from abruptly stopping in the middle of the course to tie your shoe, and are aware of your basic social cues, you will be sure to enjoy yourself and make new friends.

A link to the race results will be posted on our 5K race homepage following the race. There will also be QR codes placed around Pemberton Place Greenspace to view your results online.

Race photos will be emailed to all registered participants after the race.

For our virtual race participants, you can record your time via RunSignUp. The results reporting portal will only be open from February 12-19, so submit your time as soon as you complete your race (submitting your time is optional).

Click here to submit your time.