Anniston, AL – The Anniston Runners Club has announced that its long-running Woodstock 5K will officially be renamed the Publix Woodstock 5K, following a new partnership with Publix as the event’s major corporate title sponsor.
The Woodstock 5K, held annually on Woodstock Avenue in Anniston, has been a fixture in east Alabama since the 1980s. The 2026 race will mark the 45th running of the event and is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026, continuing the tradition of taking place on the first Saturday in August each year.
In addition to its local significance, the Publix Woodstock 5K serves as the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Alabama State 5K Championship. The race has hosted an RRCA championship event 19 times overall and will host the Alabama State 5K Championship for the seventh time in 2026.
The partnership between the Anniston Runners Club and Publix began in 2025, when Publix served as the race’s finish line sponsor. The expanded role in 2026 represents both a continuation and growth of that relationship. With the new title sponsorship, the Publix Woodstock 5K joins a limited group of races nationwide carrying the Publix name, including the Publix Atlanta Marathon, Publix Battleship 12K, Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half, and Publix Savannah Women’s Half & 5K.
The 2025 Woodstock 5K recorded the highest number of registered participants for an individual sporting event in Calhoun County, with more than 1,000 runners and several thousand spectators in attendance. Participants traveled from 13 U.S. states and the United Kingdom, with more than half coming from outside Anniston, Oxford, and Jacksonville. Organizers say the event continues to play a role in promoting tourism and regional visibility for Calhoun County.
While Publix has signed on as title sponsor, the Anniston Runners Club is also seeking additional local sponsors to support the event. Proceeds from the race are reinvested into the community through charitable giving. Beneficiaries include the Arc of Calhoun and Cleburne Counties, which supports individuals with disabilities and the Special Olympics program; the RMC Research Fund for colorectal cancer research; and various school athletic programs.
Registration for the Publix Woodstock 5K is currently open on RunSignup. The Anniston Runners Club is also preparing for its Canyon Climb 8K/5K/1-Miler, scheduled for March 28, 2026, in partnership with RMC.
