The Bell Center 5K & Children’s Run

2026 Bell Center 5K is SOLD OUT!
Registration is closed as of 3/11 at 3pm due to an overwhelming response from the community.

Your Pace. Your Purpose. Our Mission.

Join us at the 2026 Bell Center 5K & Children’s Run on March 14, 2026!

• Date: March 14, 2026
• Time: 8:00am
• Location: The Bell Center- 1700 29th Ct. S., Homewood, AL 35209
• View the race route here

Your Pace. Your Purpose. Our Mission. Every participant in The Bell Center 5K & Children’s Run brings a deeply personal purpose to their miles — and we celebrate all of them. Maybe you’re working toward better health, honoring a child at The Bell Center, raising awareness for a diagnosis that shaped your life, or striving for a new personal best. Whatever brings you to the race, your pace is perfect, and your purpose is valued. Because when your individual purpose meets our mission of providing life-changing early intervention services for children with special needs, your steps become part of the impact. Every pace, every stride, every finish-line moment strengthens the vital work happening inside The Bell Center each day. You bring the purpose. And together, we continue our mission — ensuring every child has the opportunity to maximize their potential. 

*Everyone must sign up for the 5K in RunSignup. RunSignup is the official race registration system and is required so you can legally participate on race day and be on the course.*

Bell Center 5K Registration & The BellRunner Program

BellRunners are asked to fundraise $100 per mile, which totals $310 for a 3.1 mile 5K race.

After registering for the race on RunSignup each BellRunner will set-up a personal fundraising page via QGiv. We also accept check or cash donations as well. Fundraising will be due on Friday, March 13th, the day before the race.

A note about RunSignUp vs. QGiv (Race Registration vs. Fundraising) and 5K Teams

RunSignup is for race registration. Everyone must register in RunSignup in order to legally participate on race day and be on the course. RunSignup is about participation, not fundraising.

QGiv is for fundraising (✅ QGiv = Fundraising). Fundraising can be done individually or as a team.

QGiv teams are ONLY for fundraising totals. A QGiv team should include only BellRunners who are fundraising for the same child. If someone is not fundraising, they do not need to be added to the QGiv team. For example: If there are three BellRunners on a team the team’s minimum fundraising total is $930.

So: Non-fundraising team members can still run as a team, dress up as a team, celebrate as a team, and be part of the race-day experience together — they just don’t affect fundraising totals and don’t need to join the QGiv fundraising team.

The Bell Center Children’s Run!

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or new to 5K races, your participation in the 2026 Bell Center 5K & Children’s Run will make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in our community. Let’s come together to support early intervention therapy and promote a more inclusive and compassionate society.

We’ll see you at the starting line! 

2026 Bell Center 5K & Children’s Run Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Children’s Run Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Water Stop Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Cheer Station Sponsors

Children’s of Alabama

Down Syndrome Alabama (DSA)

HF Home-Birmingham

Ray & Poynor

Renasant Bank

Service Guild Sponsors

FAQ

• What if older siblings or young runners want to participate?
  • Children 12 years and older will need to register for the 5K as a participant.
  • If you have children who want to run or walk along with the team, there are two youth options:
    • Jr. 5K Participant (ages 5-11 years; $20 registration fee).
    • Jr. BellRunner (open to ages 5-11; all the benefits of a BellRunner with limited fundraising through a $80 registration fee).
  • Children 4 years and younger do not need to register for this race.
• If during enrollment, you selected not to release your child’s photo, we ask that you consider a small exception for this event.
  • With your consent, we would like to be able to share a photo of your child with a BellRunner from our community and allow them to wear that photo during the race. 

Lastly, if you have any questions about this event or your family’s requirements, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Race Director Emily Israel eisrael@thebellcenter.org.

Race Day Site Map:
To help you navigate race day, please review the 2026 TBC 5K event site map. The map highlights important locations including vendor areas, restrooms, food truck, merchandise tents, the sensory activation vehicle, photo booth and more. We encourage participants and guests to familiarize themselves with the layout so you can easily find everything you need and make the most of your race day experience at The Bell Center.