Event Description
Register now for the 2026 Sunbelt Bakery® 7 Family Fun Run!
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Start the New Year at full speed! Stick to your resolution of a healthier you in 2026 and register today for the Sunbelt Bakery® 7 Family Fun Run, Sunday, March 8. Whether your goal is a 5K with your friends, or you want to step it up and do your first 7-mile race, this is your chance to stay on track and crush your goals.
Sponsored by Sunbelt Bakery®, the run will include a 7-mile and 5K run (virtual options too.) We’ll also have a separate 5K walk (untimed) and a Kids’ Dash event. Don’t forgot to have your photo made with a Sunbelt Bakery costume character! The event will be capped at 450 participants, so don’t delay — register today.
Registration for each event will be capped as follows:
7-mile run – capped at 100 participants
5K run – capped at 250 participants
5K walk – capped at 75 participants
Kids’ dash – capped at 50 participants
Assisting with the event will be veterans from the Collegedale American Legion, the Collegedale VFW and the National Guard. The Ooltewah High School ROTC will also be on hand.
Where: The Commons in Collegedale, 4950 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, Tenn., 37363
Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
Start times for runs and walks
7-mile run: 7:30 a.m.
5K walk: 7:40 a.m.
5K run: 7:45 a.m.
Kids’ dash, .5K (2-10 years old): 7:47 a.m.
Kids’ dash, .5K (2-10 years old): 10:15 a.m.
All participants receive a race shirt and swag bag with Sunbelt Bakery® snacks and a Sunbelt Bakery swag item. All finishers receive a finisher medal. Best overall male and female finishers from each run receive an additional distinct ribbon.
Note: Virtual participants will receive their packet with race shirt and medal by March 31, 2026.
Packet Pick Up:
Thursday, March 5, from 3-6 p.m. at the Little Debbie Bakery Store, located at 9515 Apison Pike, Collegedale, Tenn., 37315
Sunday, March 8, race day at the Commons in Collegedale, beginning at 6 a.m.
Age groups for runs: 7-mile and 5K: 11-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70+
We have male and female, 1st, 2nd, 3rd place medals for all run categories, so please get your results at the registration table.
Charitable beneficiary: Proceeds will benefit the Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park.
Parking: Plenty of free parking spaces near Little Debbie Park, Imagination Station, Commons in Collegedale and the public parking lot on Ooltewah-Ringgold Road.
Public restrooms:
Little Debbie Park pavilion
Outside Commons
Imagination Station pavilion
Parks & Recreation Office Building, across the creek from the fish pond
Thatcher Switch Recreation and Playground
Economic Development building, next to Nature Nook parking area
Event specific information
Start/finish at the 10+ acre Little Debbie Park and the Commons in Collegedale. This family-friendly beautiful park has pavilions, a playground and restrooms. Pavilions and the Founder’s Hall building offer great cover during inclement weather
Kids’ dash on wide, continuous, visible sidewalk loop in Little Debbie Park
The 5K walk is not on the greenway — instead, walkers will make six loops on the sidewalk adjacent to the Little Debbie Park.
7-mile and 5K runs mostly on Collegedale’s scenic greenway, including going next to Collegedale’s beautiful Veterans Park, around a pond, through a tunnel, beside a creek, under bridges, etc.
Sunbelt Bakery costumed character on-hand to meet and greet friends and family
No busy road crossings
Run and walk routes:
7-mile: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53290922
5K (Timed): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53290928
5K Walk (Untimed): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53290927 (Multi-loop)
Kids’ Dash: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53290906
For the comfort and safety of all participants, please refrain from bringing pets. Service animals welcome.
This event will take place rain/shine. No refunds allowed. Due to the upfront nature of event costs, we have a uniform policy of no refunds, transfers to another runner or to a different distance, or deferrals to a future year. We know that plans change and unexpected things come up, but we feel it is most fair to apply a uniform policy to all, instead of an arbitrary line of who merits a refund and who doesn't. Thank you for understanding.
