41st Annual Gary Tillman Clocktower 5K & 2-Mile Health Walk
Saturday, August 15th, 2026, 8:00 AM. This year marks the 41st running of Rome's oldest race, which began as a fundraiser to repair Rome's iconic City Clock and has grown into one of Georgia's premier running events. Funds raised will benefit the Exchange Club Family Resource Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
The race course winds through historic downtown Rome, climbs historic Clocktower Hill in the second mile, and finishes with a view of the Coosa River in Heritage Park. Both the 5K and the 2-mile Health Walk courses are scenic, taking in the "Between the Rivers" district of downtown Rome.
Short sleeve tee-shirts are guaranteed to runners and walkers registered by midnight, August 5th, 2026. This event is an Atlanta Journal Constitution Peachtree Road Race Qualifier Program, meaning your race time can be used for the 2027 Peachtree Road Race.
AMENITIES:
- Pre-Race and Post-race massages and stretching
- Post Race refreshments
- Great Participants' packets
- Music and FUN
5K and 2-MILE COURSES:
Race headquarters is in Heritage Park. The 5K starts on West 3rd Street, runs through Historic Downtown Rome, ascends the iconic Clocktower Hill, circles Myrtle Hill, and finishes on the Levee of Heritage Park. The 5K course is certified by USATF (GA24030WC) and will be chip-timed. The 2-Mile Health Walk starts on 2nd Avenue, follows a gentler ascent to Clocktower Hill, continues through the Town Green, crosses the historic John Ross Footbridge, follows the path along the Oostanaula River, and finishes inside Heritage Park. The 2-mile Health Walk will be non-competitive and will not be timed.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
- 6:30am: Race Day Registration/Packet Pick-up Opens
- 7:30am: Race Day Registration Closes
- 7:45am: Race Day Packet Pick-up Closes, Color Guard presents colors/National Anthem
- 8:00am: 5K Start
- 8:05am: 2 Mile Health Walk Start
- 9:20am: Awards Ceremony
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
Pre-registration ends August 5th, 2026.
- Lowest Prices (until July 17th): 5K - $30.00; 2 Mile - $25.00 (Mail postmarked by July 17th)
- Price Increase (July 18th - August 5th): 5K - $35.00; 2 Mile - $30.00 (Mail postmarked by August 5th)
- Late Registration (August 6th - August 11th): 5K & 2 Mile - $40.00 (Tee-shirts not guaranteed)
- Race Day Registration (August 15th): $40.00 for both 5K & 2 Mile (Tee-shirts not guaranteed)
Group Discount: Teams of 10 or more receive $3 off per person if registered together by August 5th, 2026.
Pre-Race Packet Pickup: Friday, August 14th, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm at First United Methodist Church of Rome Wilder Center, 202 East 3rd Ave, Rome, GA 30161.
5K AWARDS:
Awards for 1st Overall (Male/Female), 1st Masters (Male/Female), 1st Grandmasters (Male/Female), and 1st, 2nd, 3rd in age groups (10 & under to 75 & older). Special awards for Youngest and Oldest Finishers.
Note: No awards will be given for the 2-Mile Health Walk.
PARKING:
Ample parking is available at Heritage Park and adjoining Riverview Park.
More Information: Call (404) 723-7732, Email [email protected], Visit www.tillmanclocktowerrace.org, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clocktower5K.