The 5th Anniversary War Eagle Run Fest sold out with a record field of more than 6,400 runners, marking five years of growth for one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing running events.
WAR EAGLE RUN FEST SELLS OUT AT RECORD 6,400 RUNNERSAUBURN-OPELIKA, Ala. â The 5th Anniversary of the War Eagle Run Fest has officially sold out, welcoming a record-breaking field of more than 6,400 runners to Auburn for one of the Southeastâs fastest-growing running events.Set against the iconic backdrop of Auburn University, the milestone event marks five years of momentum, community pride and destination-driven racing that has firmly established War Eagle Run Fest as a signature fall tradition in East Alabama.âThis is what happens when community, culture and competition come together,â said Michael Wattigny, marketing director of FRESHJUNKIE Racing. âTo see more than 6,400 runners choose Auburn for their race weekend is a testament to the spirit of this town and the power of this event.âSince its inaugural race, War Eagle Run Fest has grown year-over-year, attracting runners from across Alabama and beyond. The 2026 sellout represents the largest field in event history, reinforcing its reputation as a premier collegiate-town race experience.Participants will take on distances including the Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Mile, with courses highlighting Auburnâs campus landmarks, tree-lined streets, and finish line celebration.What began five years ago as a bold idea to create a race worthy of Auburnâs spirit has become a sellout celebration of fitness, pride and community. For many runners, the event represents more than miles, itâs a weekend tradition, a reunion with friends and a reason to return to Auburn year after year.With registration closed at a record 6,400+ participants, organizers encourage spectators to line the course and join the community celebration.Race weekend will bring electric energy, thousands of finishers and one unmistakable message throughout Auburn:War Eagle.For more information about Auburn-Opelika Tourism, contact Travis Harrison at Travis@aotourism.com For more information about FRESHJUNKIE Racing, contact Michael Wattigny at mike@freshjunkie.com The event takes place Feb 28-March 1st.
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ABOUT FRESHJUNKIE RACING: FRESHJUNKIE Racing (FJR) is an event production company based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Producing events since 2010, FJR manages, markets and produces 14 events annually across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Creating memorable experiences for 50,000 participants annually, the events produce over $15 Million in economic impact in the communities and $2.7 Million in charitable impact. For more info visit: freshjunkieracing.comAbout Auburn-Opelika TourismAuburn-Opelika Tourism is a non-profit service organization driving economic impact and improving the quality of life in our community through tourism and travel. For more information, visit aotourism.com.
Jerry Katz is the creator of Opelika Daily News. A former broadcaster, he has been writing about Opelika for more than twenty years â first as a blogger, now as the one-person newsroom behind this site. He curates the region's local news daily, writes the Katz Ramblings column and the weekly From the Archives look-back, and maintains an archive of more than 3,200 posts reaching back to 2002. He lives in Opelika. Reach him at jerry@opelikadailynews.com. View all posts by Jerry Katz
