Shakespeare River Run 5K & 1M
Join us for the inaugural SHAKESPEARE RIVER RUN 5K on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Family 1M Run/Walk at 9:30 a.m. The event takes place in historic downtown Rome, Georgia, starting and ending at Bridgepoint Plaza.
This race is held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Rome Shakespeare Festival and Rome’s first Renaissance Fayre. All proceeds support the production of the festival, enabling high-quality, FREE Shakespearean theatre for the Rome community.
Runners will experience a beautiful, fast, and family-oriented 5K and 1-mile fun run course along the scenic Etowah, Coosa, and Oostanaula Rivers. Costumes are encouraged!
After the run, enjoy the Awards ceremony at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Rome Shakespeare Festival Family Day and RenFayre starting at 10:00 a.m. Entertainment, vendors, and food options will be available.
EVENT DETAILS & SCHEDULE
- 7:30am: Race Day Registration begins
- 8:45am: Race Day Registration ends
- 9:00am: 5K Start
- 9:30am: 1M Family Run/Walk Start
- 10:30am: Awards Ceremony
RACE FEATURES
- Wire2Wire Professional Chip Timing
- USATF Certified 5K Course
- 5K Age Group Awards with custom race medals
- Custom bibs
- Masters and Grandmasters Division in 5K
- Short-sleeved T-Shirts
REGISTRATION INFO
Pre-register by SUNDAY, Sept. 20th to guarantee your T-shirt size. Prices increase after this date.
- 5K: $30 per runner (until Sept. 20th), $40 (Sept. 21st - Race Day)
- 1M: $20 per runner (until Sept. 20th), $30 (Sept. 21st - Race Day)
- Family Rate (1M Fun Run): $100 for up to four (4) t-shirts (until Sept. 20th), $140 (Sept. 21st - Race Day). Additional t-shirts $15 each.
Both events include the Shakespeare River Run T-Shirt. Additional shirts can be ordered for $15.
PACKET PICK-UP
- PRE-RACE: Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (location TBD)
- DAY OF RACE: Sunday, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. at the event tent at Bridgepoint Plaza
PARKING
Options include South end of Broad Street, 3rd Avenue parking deck (free during festival), 4th Avenue parking deck (free on weekends), and Heritage Park.
COMFORT
Porta-Potties will be available. Complimentary water will be provided before, during, and after the race. Other food and beverages available from vendors.
5K COURSE
This USATF-Certified 5K course is relatively flat, fast, and professionally chip-timed.
5K AWARDS
Top 3 Overall (M&F), Top Master (M&F), Top Grandmaster (M&F), and Top 3 in each Age Category (M&F) receive a medal.
WEATHER & REFUNDS
The race will take place unless weather conditions are hazardous. No refunds will be issued. Race management reserves the right to modify the course or delay the event if necessary for safety.
RACE RESULTS
Results will be posted on www.wire2wirerunning.com.