About the MLK Day 5K/10K Drum Run - Birmingham
The defining feature of this race is the drumlines. School and community drum corps are spaced along the full course, performing as runners pass, so the sound follows you from start to finish. The route is USATF certified for both distances, and the race draws a genuinely broad crowd, reflecting the holiday it is built around.
The morning opens with a warm-up before the start, and music carries through the whole race. There is also a team registration option that channels money back to nonprofits and community groups, which fits the spirit the event is organized around.
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MLK Day 5K/10K Drum Run - Birmingham 2026 Results
Going by the 2026 results, this is a decent-sized field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.
5K Results · 2026
504finishers
18:43winner
39:11median
1:28:48cutoff
Top 3: Marcus Harris (18:43) · Arthur Strauss (18:56) · Bret Holmes (19:23)
10K Results · 2026
130finishers
34:42winner
59:20median
1:33:23cutoff
Top 3: Andrew Precise (34:42) · Riley Davis (36:46) · Jackson Sills (36:46)
The MLK Day 5K/10K Drum Run - Birmingham has been held every year since at least 2023. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.
How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Oct 25, 2026.
Distances & Start Times
5K1/16/2027 08:00$35
10K1/16/2027 08:00$45
1 Mile1/16/2027 09:00$20
1 Mile1/16/2027 09:00$20
Going for a Time?
Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.
Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.
Where to Stay
Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Birmingham — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.
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