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.  

These men and women carried their American flag and served our country with honor.  What better way to honor them, than to carry an American flag while running/walking a 5K?  As part of this event, each runner/walker must carry a 2’x 3’ American flag during the entire 5K course.  The flag will be affixed to a pole so it will be easy to carry.  The flag and pole together will be light so even children will be able to participate.

This event is not about you and, therefore, is not a race.  You can run/walk at whatever pace you would like to, but this is not a timed 5K event. 

Because of the Brave 5k will be hosted by the American Village.  The Alabama National Cemetery is also next door to the American Village.  The Alabama National Cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of our brave heroes.  A portion of your entry fee will be donated to both the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery and the American Village.

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!

Course Description

The 5K course will wind throughout the beautiful grounds at American Village.  The course consists of a 1.55-mile loop and will be clearly marked with American flags.  Runners/walkers must complete the loop twice to finish the course and complete the 5K distance.  The entire course will be on paved surfaces, so strollers and wheelchairs are welcome.

Time and Location

Memorial Day: Monday May 25, 2026 @ 7:00 AM

Because of the Brave 5K will be held at American Village in Montevallo, Alabama.  

Address: 3727 Highway 119 Montevallo, AL 35115

The GPS coordinates of the parking lot you’ll want to park in are: (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. 

Runners will receive a 2’ x 3’American flag attached to a pole at packet pickup.  

We will also have a custom Because of the Brave 5K flag near the start/finish line.  Please come prepared to write the name of a hero or heroes that you will be running/walking the 5K in honor of.  This flag will come back annually at each future Because of the Brave 5K event and be on display during the run.  This, again, ensures we never forget the names of our heroes who died for this country.

Swag

This event is organized by The Running Birds so the swag will be top notch.  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.

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 Support Committee for 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 Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery.