Albany Move'n'Groove 2026

Run, walk, or stroll a 5K in a flat loop course circling Albany CA's Memorial Park and Albany High School while listening to live music from multiple bands in the fifth annual Move'n'Groove on Sunday May 31, 2026!

The action kicks off with the kids-only 0.5 mile race for kids 10 years old and under in a mass start at 9:45am. The 5K starts in waves after the kids race, with the first wave (fastest runners) starting at 10:15am.

This musical festival and fitness event will feature bands representing an eclectic array of diverse musical genres positioned around the course during the races playing till Noon. On-site food vendors may be present — stay tuned for news!

Registration is only required for those competing in the 5K or kids race. There is no fee required to attend the event to watch the bands, enjoy the live music, or rec skate on the streets after the race! This fun community event is funded in part through the City of Albany's unique Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax. Fiscal sponsorship is provided by the Albany Community Foundation.

Key Dates & Prices

• Kids race: $5 thru Apr 30, then $10
• 5K Early Bird 🐤: Feb 1–28 = $10
• 5K Regular Bird:  Mar 1 – Apr 30 = $15
• 5K Late Bird 🐦: May 1 – May 28 = $20

Thursday 28 May 2026 is the last day for online registration. A limited number of slots may be available for sign ups at our packet pickup.

Packet pickup will be on the Saturday before the event at Road Runner Sports in Berkeley, Noon-3pm.

T-Shirts will be available for purchase separately through April 30 for an additional $15. Indicate your T-shirt preference during online registration. A limited number of shirts may be available for purchase at the event and/or packet pickup.

Summary of features for 2026:

• Event takes place at the end of May instead of late April (less chance of 🌧️).
• Three (or four) live bands playing around the race course till Noon.
• Event ends at Noon — no afternoon band.
• T-shirt available for purchase separately through April 30.
• Races will start on Portland Ave at Pomona, instead of on Thousand Oaks Blvd as in past years.
• Food vendors (pending)
• Pre-event training sessions by IBX Fitness (details pending)

Event Schedule

Kids 10 and under go first at 9:45AM and complete one loop around the block (0.5 mi) instead of 6 loops for the 5K. All kids will line up on the street at the starting line for a mass start without waves. Faster/older kids should line up near the front of the pack.

After the kids race, the 5K runners/walkers/strollers/para athletes will line up starting at 10:00AM into corrals corresponding to their starting wave based on expected pace as entered in the registration form, and also indicated on their bib. The first (fastest) wave starts at 10:15AM with subsequent waves leaving every 2 minutes thereafter. The 5K consists of 6 complete loops of the course — participants are responsible for keeping track of their own lap count!

There will not be a separate roller/inline skating division for the 5K, but attendees are welcome to skate or scooter recreationally on the streets & sidewalks to enjoy the bands after most of the 5K participants have finished (starting around 10:45am) and until the bands stop playing (Noon). The streets & sidewalks are smooth, so you can 🛼 or scooter to the music after the 5K! Be mindful of pedestrians, and no electric scooters – human powered only!

About the course

The 5K course is fast and nearly flat and will be closed to traffic and free of parked cars during the event. Here's a course map and a Strava segment for the course which includes an elevation profile. Participants are responsible for keeping track of their own lap count (6 total). Course distance is not USATF certified, but the distance is quite close to a true 5K based on GPS (a little longer, 5.25K). Chip timing will ensure accurate results for all participants. Pavement is free of potholes and generally in great shape. Note that roads are slightly cambered (sloping down near the sides), which can cause knee/ankle pain. Running or walking in the center of the street will alleviate that problem.

Event Website

See the main website for additional event details and FAQ: MOVEnGROOVE.org