On Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1, the fifth annual War Eagle Run Fest (WERF) was held. The event, which now takes place over the span of several days and includes several races, had participants run across the city by notable Auburn locations to complete the race.
]The War Eagle 5K, presented by Glenda Mitchell Law Firm, and the War Eagle Kids Mile, presented by Allen Turner Automotive, both began on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. The longer, 13.1-mile War Eagle Half Marathon took place on Sunday, starting at 7 a.m.
The runner count for the 2026 WERF totaled 6,400 people, with all races sold out days before they began. At check-in, participants picked up a Country Financial swag bag and their race number bib. Leading up to the races, music prepped participants to get ready to run. A few minutes before the race started, announcements were made, and the National Anthem was played over the speakers.
The War Eagle 5K began on Heisman Drive between Jordan-Hare Stadium and the Campus Green. Runners were separated at the starting line and released in 30-second intervals based on their expected finish times.
In the 5K, runners passed by Cater Hall, then down Mell Street, where they eventually turned right and passed the football practice fields. Then participants took a right onto Wire Road, followed by another right onto Heisman Drive, and completed the race inside Jordan-Hare Stadium on the 50-yard line.
The War Eagle Kids Mile, specifically for children 12 and under, started and ended at the same locations. It was much shorter due to a turnaround at the end of the Thach Concourse and required a parent or guardian to check their child out after the race or run with them.
The War Eagle Half Marathon, which required runners to maintain a running pace of 18:20 minutes per mile, also started on Heisman Drive and ended on the 50-yard line of Jordan-Hare Stadium, extending to the Auburn University Regional Airport. For this race, the runners also self-seeded in corrals based on their finish times, with around 175 runners being allowed to start every 30 seconds.
There were aid stations with portable restrooms every one to 1.5 miles along the course. This course had participants run past Toomer's Corner, down South College Street, then turn right onto East Glenn Ave, where they continued their journey until turning back right to campus on East Samford Ave.
Sponsors for the event included Auburn-Opelika Tourism, Glenda Mitchell Law Firm, Country Financial, Love 2 Run, Allen Turner Automotive, Michelob Ultra, Momma Goldbergs, Powerade, Piedmont Columbus Regional, Coca-Cola, Publix, Conecuh Sausage, Phorm Energy and Gogo Charters.
The Glenda Mitchell Law Firm handed out free t-shirts, water and other items. Additionally, after check-in, runners could purchase running sneakers and other accessories from Love 2 Run at discounted rates. Adjacent to registration and the starting line, Allen Turner Automotive displayed cars from their respective area dealerships, and Publix volunteers handed out bags of popcorn to people watching the race. Furthermore, Michelob Ultra and Powerade provided much-needed hydration to runners during and after the event.
Caroline Bates, a volunteer at the registration area for the race, noted that this event draws many people from cities around the state who come not only to participate but also to enjoy the city of Auburn.
“I think this fest has a big impact on the community, because it brings a lot of people together. I was just speaking with people that have come from Andalusia and from a couple other different towns just to come to Auburn and enjoy it [and] hopefully to pour into the community a little bit more too,” Bates said.
WERF brings many to Auburn, and with its increased demand that eventually led to its expansion to a two-day event, its impact can be felt across the city. Jack Broom from Slapout, Alabama, said his family has been coming to Auburn to run in the races for three years now.
“I think it’s great for the community, because we have a lot of people come in, so we have people staying in hotels, getting to experience the Auburn Family and community in real time,” Brown said.
The Auburn Club Soccer team was among many other student organizations that volunteered for the event.
"We have a lot of support [from our] fans during our season, so we like to give back to the Auburn community, and this was a great opportunity for us to [do that]. We are handing people food after they race and sending good vibes everywhere,” said Patrick Crocker, a member of the men’s club soccer team.
Isaac Overmiller, another member of the club soccer team, said that he was happy to volunteer, because the race brings everyone together.
One volunteer from the Glenn Mitchell Law Firm tent said that by helping out and sponsoring the event, they wanted to make everybody’s day a little bit brighter.
Bill Bigner and his wife from Trussville, Alabama, who ran in the race for their first time, said that it was nice to see the kids and volunteers out helping the community.
Participants of all ages and backgrounds ran in the event. Just at the 5K, families pushed two strollers, college students ran with their friends, elderly couples covered themselves from head to toe in running gear and seemingly marathon veterans took the lead near the front of the pack.
“It’s always good to get out there, run a little bit with your friends and have fun,” said Matthew Rini, freshman in laboratory science and participant.
His running partner, Thomas Hughes, a freshman in agricultural business, said that WERF is great for making new connections and hanging out in the morning with peers.
Following the race on Saturday, there was a Love 2 Run post-race tailgate party with food, snacks and even a field goal challenge presented by Momma Goldberg’s. Participants, who qualified at the shorter field goals setup on the Campus Green, were invited to be a part of the Field Goal Challenge Finals. The challenge was exclusively held inside Jordan-Hare Stadium at 2 p.m., with winners being given $25 gift cards to Momma Goldberg’s. For the half marathon on Sunday there was another Love 2 Run post-race tailgate party from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
After completing the race, Colin Jones of Tallassee, Alabama, who buys Auburn Football season tickets every year, remarked on his family’s involvement with the event and how unique it is to finish the race inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.
“It’s just something I enjoy doing. I got my brother, my mom and stepdad to do it this year just because it is so cool running around campus and finishing in the stadium on the 50-yard mark,” Jones said.
He would go on to say that the heavy family involvement in the event says a lot about the University and the Auburn Family in general.
Information to participate, sponsor or volunteer at next year’s event can be found on WERF’s website.
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