New & Improved Blueberry Hill Race
UPDATE: The 5K, Relay and Fun Run will proceed in light rain. See “Weather Policy” below for more details.
This year we’re excited to bring back our beloved festival run with a fresh name and a few new twists! Join us for the Blueberry Hill Race, taking place on the morning of the Forest Heights Blueberry Festival.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Start Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Main festival site at Holly Court
Check-in: No later than 9:15 a.m. (Volunteers arrive by 8:45 a.m.)
Race Options
5K Run: Registration
1-Mile Fun Run/Walk: Registration
NEW this year!5K Relay: Visit the Relay Team Rules and Relay Registration page for additional information. Grab a friend and split the fun with our brand-new relay format — perfect for families or friends wanting to experience the race together.
Course Update
Course map
The Blueberry Hill Race will follow the same familiar loop, but the direction has changed: Runners and walkers will now complete the course clockwise instead of counterclockwise.
5K participants will complete three laps
5K Relay Team will split the 3 laps across 2-3 team members.
1-mile fun run/walk participants will complete one lap
Volunteers and signs will help mark the route.
Awards & Community Fun
Blueberry Hill winners will be named across select 5K age groups with custom handmade awards by Laura Burch. A brief awards ceremony will wrap things up at approximately 10:15 a.m.
Sharing the Course
The race will coincide with the BikeAthens Blueberry Rally in which children bike riders will visit rally points overlapping with the Blueberry Hill race route. All participants are asked to stay alert and share the space safely so everyone can enjoy the event.
Weather Policy
The 5K, Relay and Fun Run will proceed in light rain. Participant safety is our priority, especially with children and volunteers on the course.
If thunderstorms or lightning are present near race time, the start may be delayed up to 30 minutes. At that time, we will ask participants to shelter in their homes or cars until start time. If unsafe weather persists, we may cancel the event.
Weather updates, if needed, will be emailed the night before and again by 7:30 a.m. on race morning (2 hours before start time). If you have questions, contact Philip Bishop at pwalkerbishop@gmail.com or (229) 881-7695.
Refunds
If we’re forced to cancel the event, email pwalkerbishop@gmail.com by Saturday, June 6 to request refunds. If you’d like to donate your registration fee to the Community Blueberry Project, no further action is needed.
Water, Refreshments & Vendors
This year, we’ll offer complementary bananas and water at the finish line. If you need additional nutrition or hydration before or during the race, please bring those with you. For 5K participants, since this is a 3-lap course, you can keep a water bottle at the start/finish line and re-hydraft with each lap.
Gavone Bagelswill be on site with breakfast items for sale throughout the morning. Please bring a form of payment with you and consider supporting a local vendor!
Registration
All participants must register in advance and pay a small entry fee. The payment site is linked from the registration pages below:
1-Mile Fun Run/Walk: $10
5K Run/Walk: $15
5K Relay: $30 per team
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact festival co-director Philip Bishop (pwalkerbishop@gmail.com).
We can’t wait to see you out there — same hill, more berries and more ways to run it!
