Because of the Brave 5K

🇺🇸 Event Description

The name of this event says it all… Because of the Brave! We love this country and all of us enjoy the freedom of living in the United States of America. However, this freedom we enjoy came at a price. On this Memorial Day, come out and join us in an event that truly honors the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Because of the Brave 5K is truly about reflecting on this sacrifice that was made by so many of our heroes.

• Honor Them: What better way to honor them, than to carry an American flag while running/walking a 5K?
• Flag Requirement: Each runner/walker must carry a 2’x 3’ American flag during the entire 5K course.
• Easy to Carry: The flag will be affixed to a pole so it will be easy to carry.
• Family Friendly: The flag and pole together will be light so even children will be able to participate.

🕖 Event Timing & Location

Because of the Brave 5K starts at 7:00 AM. This allows runners/walkers to finish the 5K and have plenty of time to visit the Alabama National Cemetery at 9:00 AM for their annual Memorial Day Service. The American Village will be having their annual Memorial Day Celebration as well. So, come out and run Because of the Brave 5K, visit the Alabama National Cemetery’s Memorial Day Service, and enjoy the afternoon at American Village’s Memorial Day Celebration for a full day of honoring the fallen and fun with the family!

• Date: Monday, May 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
• Location: American Village in Montevallo, Alabama.
• Address: 3727 Highway 119 Montevallo, AL 35115
• GPS Coordinates: (33.137730, -86.829740)

🎽 Packet Pickup

There is no early packet pickup for this event. Race day packet pickup will be at the start/finish line which will be located near the main parking lots of American Village. There will be plenty of parking and access to restrooms. Packet pickup will be from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM. A pre-run briefing will take place at 6:40 AM. The 5K run/walk will begin at 7:00 AM sharp.

• Flag Delivery: Runners will receive a 2’ x 3’ American flag attached to a pole at packet pickup.
• Custom Flag: A custom Because of the Brave 5K flag will be present near the start/finish line.
• Honor Naming: Participants can write the name of a hero or heroes they are honoring on the flag.
• Annual Display: The flag will be on display during the run at future events.

🏅 Swag

All runners/walkers will receive a custom Because of the Brave 5K challenge coin at the finish line. Runners/walkers will exchange the American flag they’ve carried during the 5K course for the challenge coin. Challenge coins are commonly exchanged within the military. Another way to honor the brave is to keep this tradition. This challenge coin will be something you can take away from this event as a reminder of the freedom we have “Because of the Brave!” There will be no awards given to the top finishers. Again, this is not a race but rather an event to honor those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

• Sign Up Deadline: Be sure to sign up by May 1st, 2025, to guarantee that you’ll receive the custom challenge coin.

💧 Aid Station

We will provide one water station during the course at the start/finish line area. Runners/walkers will be able to hydrate at the halfway point and at the finish line. Fruit will also be provided at the finish line.

💵 Refunds

We understand things happen in training and in life itself. However, no refunds will be given to any runner for this competition. In the event you can find another runner to take your spot, you can transfer your entry to them. You can also defer your entry to next year’s event. Just email us and we will make sure to get it taken care of.

📞 Contact Us

If you have any questions about this event, contact us at therunningbirds11@gmail.com

For more information about the American Village visit their website: https://www.americanvillage.org/

For more information about the Alabama National Cemetery visit their website: https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/alabama.asp

🎗️ Donations

In addition to a portion of your entry fee that will be donated to the American Village and the Alabama National Cemetery, you can make a donation of any amount to either or both of them. Any additional donations will go straight to American Village and/or the Alabama National Cemetery.

For more details about the event, visit here.