Woodstock 5K

The Woodstock 5K began as the Midsummer Morn 5K (or Midsummer Morn's 5000) in 1981. Held in conjunction with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and sponsored by The Anniston Star, the Midsummer Morn 5K was assisted in its coordination by the Anniston Runners Club, which had recently been formed in 1980. When the Alabama Shakespeare Festival moved from Anniston to Montgomery in 1986, the Anniston Runners Club formally adopted the race and has been in charge of its direction since then. Because the race has been held on Woodstock Avenue in Anniston since its inaugural event, the event was renamed to the Woodstock 5K on the suggestion of ARC's then-president, Nancy Grace.

The Woodstock 5K has been hosted every year since the first Midsummer Morn in 1981, making it one of the oldest continuous footraces in the southeast. In its early years as the Midsummer Morn 5K, the race was held in July. However, it is now held every first Saturday in August. The entry fee in 1981 was just $5! That year, there were 350 runners and Mayor Gertrude Williams presented the trophies. The race course has been the same since 1981.

The Kidstock 1K has its origins in Woodstock's 1-Mile Fun Run, which was part of the inaugural events during the first race in 1981. At first, the 1-Mile Fun Run was open to all ages, including adults, though it eventually became an event only for children. In 2022, it was further changed to its current format as the Kidstock 1K, to focus on young children just beginning to explore running. This page does not include historical records from the 1-Mile Fun Run or the Kidstock 1K, only the Woodstock 5K.

In 2013, the Woodstock 5K was recognized by the Calhoun County Historic Preservation Committee and the City of Anniston. Two official historic markers were placed at the race's start and finish line to honor the history of the Woodstock 5K. The highest number of registered participants ever for the Woodstock 5K was in 2015, with 1590 runners signed up. Prior to the closure of Fort McClellan, the race saw strong participation from active military members at the base, who would run the course in formation, separate from civilian runners. These formation runs ceased in 1992 and the base itself closed in 1999, but the race was reinvigorated in 2007 when it gained the attention of the Road Runners Club of America. Every year since then, the Woodstock 5K has hosted one of the RRCA's championship races (state, regional, or national).

Past 5K Winners (Male & Female)

• 2025: Jack Lowe (Pell City, AL) in 15:26, and Laney Barnes (Cypress, TX) in 17:58.
• 2024: Bradley Makuvire (Murfreesboro, TN) in 14:18, and Savannah Peppenhorst (Norcross, GA) in 18:00.
• 2023: Vincent Kiprop (Tuscaloosa, AL) in 14:37, and Esther Gitahi (Tuscaloosa, AL) in 16:48. 
• 2022: William Brown (Marietta, GA) in 15:43, and Beatrice Jepchumba (Homewood, AL) in 17:52.
• 2021: Ethan Mines (Panama City, FL) in 15:49, and Ashley Walker (Alexander City, AL) in 17:37.
• 2020: In-person event canceled due to COVID-19, no official results available.
• 2019: Barnabas Kirwa (Huntsville, AL) in 15:10, and Emma Neigel (Gainesville, GA) in 17:49.
• 2018: Francis Waithaka (Homewood, AL) in 15:13, and Gladys Cheboi (Homewood, AL) in 17:33.
• 2017: Austin Duckworth (Austin, TX) in 15:24, and Hollyann Swann (Blountsville, AL) in 18:32.
• 2016: Jeff Rhodes (Birmingham, AL) in 15:41, and Justyna Mudy-Mader (Huntsville, AL) in 17:57.
• 2015: Josh Whitehead (Madison, AL) in 15:46, and Justyna Mudy-Mader (Huntsville, AL) in 17:17.
• 2014: Patrick Cheptoek (Bowling Green, KY) in 14:14, and Marion Kandie (Bowling Green, KY) in 17:41.
• 2013: Patrick Cheptoek (Bowling Green, KY) in 14:05***, and Lydia Kosgei (Richmond, KY) in 17:06.
• 2012: Patrick Cheptoek (Bowling Green, KY) in 14:13, and Risper Gesabwa (Marietta, GA) in 16:06***.
• 2011: Reuben Mwei (Acworth, GA) in 14:16, and Janet Cherobon-Bawcom (Rome, GA) in 16:20.
• 2010: George Towett (Kennesaw, GA) in 14:19, and Janet Cherobon (Rome, GA) in 16:46.
• 2009: Ryan Woods (Boone, NC) in 14:48, and Stephanie Pezzullo (Indian Trails, NC) in 17:35.
• 2008: Shadrick Muteri (Marietta, GA) in 14:56, and Jill Steffens (Athens, GA) in 17:12.
• 2007: Scott Strand in 14:40, and Erin Sims in 17:47.
• 2006: Scott Strand in 15:26, and Brook Pruitt in 19:44.
• 2005: Dave Roberson in 18:57, and Lucy Vandervoort in 23:08.
• 2004: Brad Lichtenstein in 19:06, and Linda Hearn in 22:31.
• 2003: Michael Marquardt (Birmingham, AL) in 16:24, and Lori Strand (Birmingham, AL) in 20:39.
• 2002: Scott Strand in 14:24, and Emily Hulse in 20:56.
• 2001: Michael Marquardt in 16:53, and Athena Naugher in 21:12.
• 2000: Ricky Austin in 17:24, and Athena Naugher in 21:22.
• 1999: Nicholas Cutchens in 17:09, and Lauren Williams in 22:09.
• 1998: Ricky Austin in 17:25, and Tracy Priska in 19:01.
• 1997: Dana Cronin, and Therese Bynum.
• 1996: Malcolm Campbell (United Kingdom) in 14:42, and Connie Robertson (Atlanta, GA) in 18:23.
• 1995: Carlos Gribbs (Auburn, AL) in 15:09, and Connie Robertson (Atlanta, GA) in 18:20.
• 1994: Layne Anderson (Auburn, AL) in 15:37, and Connie Robertson (Atlanta, GA) in 18:33.
• 1993: Layne Anderson (Auburn, AL) in 15:43, and Cheryl Boessow (Birmingham, AL) in 18:23.
• 1992: Carlton Law (Decatur, GA) in 15:27, and Connie Robertson (Hapeville, GA) in 18:20.
• 1991: Glenn Ross (Birmingham, AL) in 15:55, and Cheryl Boessow (Birmingham, AL) in 18:00.
• 1990: Alan Drosky (Lithia Springs, GA), in 15:03, and Cheryl Boessow (Birmingham, AL) in 17:55.
• 1989: Steven Reed (Auburn, AL) in 14:56, and Cheryl Boessow (Birmingham, AL) in 17:40.
• 1988: Mark Daugherty (Fort McClellan, AL, 82nd Chemical Battalion) in 15:29, and Kim Trupp (Auburn, AL) in 17:17.
• 1987: Phillip Harrell (Southside, AL) in 16:09, and Kim Trupp (Auburn, AL) in 17:44.
• 1986: Doug Cronkite (Tuscaloosa, AL) in 15:08, and Linda McLennan (Montgomery, AL) in 17:12. (First race as Woodstock 5K)
• 1985: Jeff Weitenbeck (Huntsville, AL) in 15:15, and Sarah Dunsmore (Nashville, TN) in 18:54. (Final race as Midsummer Morn 5K)
• 1984: Mike Eskridge (Bessemer, AL) in 15:18, and Carolyn Melton (Birmingham, AL) in 18:39.
• 1983: Mike Eskridge (Bessemer, AL) in 15:51, and Juliette Doster (Jamaica Plain, MA) in 17:46.
• 1982: Kevin Moats (Atlanta, GA), and Juliette Doster (Jamaica Plain, MA).
• 1981: Marris Johnson (Atlanta, GA), and Juliette Doster (Jamaica Plain, MA). (Inaugural race as Midsummer Morn 5K)

*** denotes a course record. Special thanks to Rip Donovan and The Anniston Star.

Past Race Directors

• 2026: Landon Delozier
• 2025: Hayley Long & Landon Delozier
• 2022-24: Hayley Long
• 2021: Nicole Dieckow
• 2019-20: Alex Morrow
• 2017-18: Nicole Dieckow
• 2016: Neeli Faulkner
• 2013-15: Haley Gregg
• 2011-12: Dennis Dunn
• 2010: Brooke Nelson & John Moore
• 2006-09: Brooke Nelson (RRCA Race of the Year 2007)
• 2005: Nancy Grace
• 2004: ???
• 2003: Tom Downing
• 2001-02: ???
• 2000: Tom Downing
• 1999: Daley Speer
• 1996-98: ???
• 1995: Tom Downing
• 1994: Stan Nelson
• 1993: ???
• 1992: Robert Smith & Tom Downing
• 1991: ???
• 1989-90: Nelson Mahaffey & Hugh Hickman
• 1988: Jim Green & Don Walters
• 1986-87: ???
• 1985: Fred Gant
• 1983-84: Robert Smith
• 1982: Rick Rafael
• 1981: Robert Smith, Mike Gordon & Rick Rafael

RRCA Championship Statuses

Every year since 2007, the Woodstock 5K has been named a championship event of the Road Runners Club of America, in one of three potential categories: Alabama State 5K Championship, Southern Regional 5K Championship, or National 5K Championship.

• 2025: National
• 2024: State
• 2023: National
• 2022: State
• 2021: State
• 2020: N/A (no in-person event)
• 2019: State
• 2018: National
• 2017: State
• 2016: Regional
• 2015: Regional
• 2014: Regional
• 2013: National
• 2012: National
• 2011: National
• 2010: Regional
• 2009: National
• 2008: Regional
• 2007: State