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Make-A-Wish 5K

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Make-A-Wish 5K Logo

October 5, 2024

Every year, Cobb County hosts the Make-A-Wish 5K, a 5-kilometer run the benefits of which are donated to Make-A-Wish® Georgia to grant wishes for Cobb County children with critical illnesses.

The Make-A-Wish 5K is a Peachtree Road Race qualifying event.

Participants assemble on the Marietta Square, and the race begins at 8:00 a.m. Walk-up registration begins at 7:00 a.m.

Congratulations to our art contest winner Sneha Shastri; her artwork will be used on the 5K shirt this year!

Please check out race FAQs at the bottom of this page, or for additional information contact Deedra Watts at 770.528.4046.

Registration Fees

Run Type Fee
Individual Untimed 5K Walk/Run $30
Individual Timed 5K Run $35
Teams of 10+ Untimed $25
Teams of 10+ Timed $30
Ages 6-12 $15
Phantom Runner $30

After July 31st:

  • Individual Untimed 5K Walk/Run will be $35.00
  • Individual Timed 5K Run will be $40.00

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors who generously donate to the Cobb County 5K.

Race Route

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Make-A-Wish 5K Race Route Map
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"Make-A-Wish Georgia, We have 15 wishes waiting in Cobb County! 3 Hawaii wishes! 2 Celebrity wishes! 6 Travel wishes! 1 Vehicle makeover! 1 Wish to have walking equipment! 2 Still imagining their wish! We Need Your Help! You Can Help Us Grant Local Wishes!"
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Make-A-Wish 5K Race Results Thumb
Race Results

View 2018 race results!

Previous Races

2017

Registered Runners: 400
Amount Raised: $30,000
Wishes Granted: 3

T-Shirt Design Winner: Sherlyn Martinez, Age 10 – 5th Grade, Fair Oaks Elementary School

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Make-A-Wish 5K 2017 T-Shirt Design

2016

Registered Runners: TBD
Amount Raised: TBD
Wishes Granted: TBD
Wish Stories

T-Shirt Design Winner: Kaelan McBrayer, Age 10 – 5th Grade, Vaughan Elementary School

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Make-A-Wish 5K 2016 T-Shirt Design

2015

Registered Runners: 485
Amount Raised: $38,000
Wishes Granted: 4
Wish Stories

T-Shirt Design Winner: Brooklyn Bolden, Age 10 – 5th Grade, Big Shanty Intermediate School

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Make-A-Wish 5K 2015 T-Shirt Design

2014

Registered Runners: 652
Amount Raised: $28,000
Wishes Granted: 3
Wish Stories

T-Shirt Design Winner: Mary Kucera - Age 11, 5th Grade – Eastvalley Elementary School

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Make-A-Wish 5K 2014 T-Shirt Design

2013

Registered Runners: 663
Amount Raised: $30,000
Wishes Granted: 4
Wish Stories

T-Shirt Design Winner: Varnessa West - Age 10, 5th Grade – Russell Elementary School

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Make-A-Wish 5K 2013 T-Shirt Design

About the Race

What distance is a 5K?

A 5K is 3.1 miles

Is the 5K a Peachtree Road Race qualifier?

The Cobb County 5K is an AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifier.

What type of shirt is given out?

All participants will receive a t-shirt at the finish line.

The race is advertised as a run but can we walk the route?

We are a family friendly race and we have a lot of walkers who participate.

Will you mail my t-shirt in the event I don’t attend the race?

Only Phantom Runners will have their t-shirt mailed to them after the race.

What awards are given?

Award medals are given out in the following categories:

  • Men’s Overall
  • Women’s Overall
  • Men’s Master Overall
  • Women’s Master Overall

1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals are given out in each of the following age categories:

  • 10 and under
  • 11-14
  • 15-19
  • 20-24
  • 25-29
  • 30-34
  • 35-39
  • 40-44
  • 45-49
  • 50-54
  • 55-59
  • 60-64
  • 65-69
  • 70 and over
When will the awards be given out?

Introductions and the plaque presentation to the t-shirt design contest winner will begin at 8:40 a.m. followed by the runner medals presentation at 9 am. Wish Kids will be in attendance to hand out the medals to the winners.

When do I pick up my race number and shirt?

Runners will pick up their race number at the registration table at the beginning of the race. Shirts will be given out at the end of the race.

Registration

How do I register?

Runners may register through RunSignUp. Registration forms may also be printed and mailed to the address below or brought to the race.

Make checks payable to Cobb County 5K and mail to:

Cobb County 5K
100 Cherokee Street, Suite 400
Marietta, GA 30090

Online registration through RunSignUp will close at the end of the working day on July 31st. Mailed registration forms must be submitted and post-marked on or before July 31st.

Additionally, runners can register at the race beginning at 7:00 a.m. on race day.

Runners will have the option of electronic timed or untimed registration.

Pre-registration Fees Received by July 31st

  • Untimed - $30
  • Timed - $35

Registration Fees after July 31st

  • Untimed - $35
  • Timed - $40
Who is eligible to participate?

We welcome runners and walkers of all ages to participate.

I would like to get a group together to walk/run – what do I do?

Teams of 10 or more will receive a reduced registration fee of $25 untimed and $30 timed per runner.  

You can create a team on the RunSignUp registration site, and have your friends and family register there. 

If you would like to register a team using a registration form you have two options in sending them in. Each participant will need to fill out an individual registration form. Forms may be duplicated. The fees can be collected by a main person in your group and one check sent in, or each runner can attach a check to their registration form which can be sent in as a group. 

If you decide to use the registration forms, we ask that you print the name of your team at the bottom of the form. This will help us know how many people are participating in each group. Before the 5K starts, our emcee will recognize all teams.

Is there a special registration for schools?

We offer school students, teachers and school groups a special registration rate of $10. You can register by using the special school registration form or you can go to the RunSignUp where there will be a special category for school registration.   

NOTE: The reduced fee does not apply to student’s parents, grandparents or guardians. We want to offer this special discount to our students and educators only. Our main purpose is to raise funds to grant the wishes of some special children in our community, so we ask that you please be considerate of this request. 

What is a Phantom Runner?

A Phantom Runner is someone who wants to support the 5K but is not able to attend the race. The fee for Phantom Runners is $30 and they must submit a registration form. They will receive a race t-shirt which will be mailed to them after the race.

General Information

What are the parking deck fees?

Cobb County has two parking decks on the Marietta Square (spots around the Square are free).

Parking Deck Fees:
First 30 Minutes (FREE)
30 - 60 Min. ($2.00)
60 - 120 Min. ($4.00)
2 - 4 Hours ($6.00)
4 - 6 Hours ($7.00)
6+ Hours / Lost Ticket ($8.00)
Where will the restrooms be located?

The portable restrooms will be located across the street from the registration area on Winters Street.

Where are the water stations?

Water will be available before and after the race and at two locations along the race route.

How will the weather affect the race?

The race will go on as planned unless conditions are deemed hazardous to runners and/or volunteers.

Am I allowed to bring baby strollers/jogging strollers?

Strollers are allowed at the race. We ask that you be mindful of the other runners. For safety, we do not allow bicycles, skates, skateboards, etc.

Am I allowed to bring my pet?

Pets on leashes are allowed at the race. We ask that you be mindful of the other runners.

Are there any activities planned after the race?

The Marietta’s Farmer’s Market will be set up on North Park Square at 9:00 a.m. after the race.

Wishes Granted

Please feel free to read about these children's wishes coming true.

Andrew's story

Colin's story

Mikaelia's story

Alyssia's story