CULLMAN, Ala. – Motorists traveling through southwest Cullman Friday evening should expect temporary road closures and delays as runners and walkers participate in the Christina Chambers Twilight 5K.
The race will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Cotton Creek. Road closures along the 5K course will remain in effect until all participants have safely cleared the route.
The race is expected to conclude between 9:30 and 10 p.m. However, streets around Cotton Creek and the Flying Fifty area are expected to remain closed from approximately 4 p.m.-midnight for event setup, activities and cleanup.
Drivers should allow additional travel time, avoid entering the race corridor and use alternate routes when possible.
The course will begin near the intersection of Fourth Avenue Southwest and Fifth Street Southwest at Cotton Creek.
Participants will travel south along Fourth Avenue Southwest and Broadway Avenue Southwest before turning west onto Graham Street Southwest.
The course will then proceed north on Main Avenue Southwest to Sixth Street Southwest. Participants will turn east onto Sixth Street before traveling south on Sixth Avenue Southwest to Eighth Street Southwest.
From Eighth Street, runners will travel east to Fifth Avenue Southwest and then north to Fifth Street Southwest.
The route will continue west along Fifth Street to Sixth Avenue Southwest, north to Fourth Street Southwest and east toward Third Avenue Southwest, where participants will finish near Cotton Creek.
Closures will be implemented individually along the route as participants approach. Streets may reopen in stages after the final runner or walker passes and public safety personnel determine the roadway can safely return to normal traffic.
The course passes through residential streets near the Cullman City Cemetery and returns through the Cotton Creek area. Residents along the route should expect limited vehicle access while participants are passing.
The Twilight 5K honors the life and legacy of Christina Chambers, a Cullman native, 2006 Cullman High School graduate, former WBRC sports reporter and avid runner.
Organizers have said the race was created to celebrate Chambers’ love of running, her determination and the impact she had on her family, friends and community.
Net proceeds will benefit Chambers’ son, Constantine, and charitable causes, including The Willow Path, a Cullman nonprofit that assists survivors of domestic violence and their children.
Race check-in will begin at 5 p.m. A pre-race warm-up is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the Cotton Creek green space, followed by the 8 p.m. start. Live music and other post-race activities will continue after participants finish, with the awards ceremony expected around 9:45 p.m.
Public parking options identified by organizers include the city parking deck behind the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, Desperation Church, the city parking lot behind First Baptist Church, the city lot south of Hank’s Sports Bar and Rumors Deli and the Cullman Savings Bank parking deck. Availability may change as lots fill.
Motorists should follow instructions from Cullman police officers, event personnel and traffic-control workers stationed along the route.
Road closures at a glance
- Date: Friday, Aug. 7
- Cotton Creek and Flying Fifty closures: Approximately 4 p.m.-midnight
- Race begins: 8 p.m.
- Course closures: From approximately 8 p.m. until the final participant clears each area
- Expected race completion: Between 9:30 and 10 p.m.
- Starting area: Fourth Avenue Southwest at Fifth Street Southwest near Cotton Creek
- Finishing area: Fourth Street Southwest at Third Avenue Southwest near Cotton Creek
- Driver guidance: Expect delays, avoid the race corridor and follow directions from traffic-control personnel
