It’s an early August Saturday morning. The moon is on the wane and the sun has not yet shown itself. Activity is beginning to pick up. Tables are being set up, boxes brought out, sound systems made ready, and water and fruit prepared. If one looks, he might catch a glimpse of a runner or walker warming up. Volunteers are taking their places along the course. Law enforcement is on the move and taking their positions. The electronic Start/Finish Line is activated and tested.
Participants are lacing up for one of Franklin’s longest-running summer traditions when the Garden Spot 5K Run and Walk returns Saturday, August 8, 2026, with activities centered around downtown Franklin. Runners and walkers gather under the beautiful shade trees in the Courthouse yard for registration and then again after crossing the Finish Line for refreshments and awards. Each year the event brings back many participants, some who have run or walked in the Garden Spot for decades, as well as participants who enjoy the experience for the first time.
Presented by Med Center Health/The Medical Center at Franklin, the community event has been a local tradition since 1982. The Medical Center has served as the corporate sponsor since 2008. The primarily flat course will take runners and walkers through mostly residential areas with partial shade, offering a route designed to appeal to both competitive participants and families. Unfortunately, animals are not allowed on the course.
The 5K run will begin at 7:30am, followed by the walk at 7:32am. On-site registration will open at 5:30am and will end promptly at 6:45am. Online registration is available through RunSignup.com, or by mail, or in person at the Chamber office during normal business hours. Pre-registration is $20 through July 31, with the fee increasing to $30 after that date.
Timing for both the run and walk will be handled with microchips to ensure accurate timing. Awards will be presented to first-, second-, and third-place finishers in 14 age categories, along with overall male and female winners in both the run and walk. Special Simpson County Awards also will be presented to male and female participants in both events.
The morning also will include a free Kids Fun Run sponsored by Chaney’s Dairy Barn for children ages seven and under. The children’s race is scheduled to begin at 7am. Each participant will receive a medal and a coupon for a scoop of ice cream at Chaney’s Dairy Barn. One of the most popular parts of the event, the Team Challenge, will again be held with Church, School, and Community challenges for Simpson County organizations, pitting organization against organization to see who can encourage the most participants. Teams with 15 or more participants will receive a $2 discount per entry, and teams with 50 or more participants may choose the color of their T-shirts. To take part in the challenges, team captains must contact the Chamber before registering team members in order to receive instructions.
Contributing sponsors for this year’s event are City of Franklin, Franklin Bank and Trust Company, Franklin Electric Plant Board, Franklin Precision Industry, Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority, German American Bank, Legacy Group Properties, NHK New Mather Metals, PriceLess IGA, Simpson Fiscal Court, South Central Bank, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, The Mint at Kentucky Downs and Wilkins Eye Care.
In addition to sponsors, the event will bring together approximately 120 volunteers including individuals, members of the Chamber, the Franklin-Simpson High School Softball Team, The Franklin-Simpson High School Cheer Team, Franklin Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Am Vet’s Ladies Auxiliary, and the Franklin Rotary Club as well as law enforcement from the Franklin Police Department and the Simpson County Sheriff’s Department. Public Works from both the city and county play a huge part in the successful operation of the event, and the Franklin-Simpson Ambulance Service is standing by, on site, if they should be needed.
For more information about the Garden Spot 5K Run and Walk or to participate in one of the team challenges, contact Steve Thurmond at 270-586-7609 or by email at steve@franklinsimpsonchamber.com.
-submitted by Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce
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