The Bearcat Classic 5k & Bearcat Mile

More Than a Race. A Celebration of Community, Tradition, and Legacy.

The Bearcat Classic 5K & Bearcat Mile was created with three purposes in mind: to celebrate the legacy of Cullman Cross Country, strengthen our growing running community, and raise financial support for the next generation of Bearcat runners.

Honoring Our Legacy

Following the final Nicholas Fillinger Memorial Run this past summer, several former Cullman Cross Country athletes expressed a desire to establish a new annual tradition—an opportunity for alumni to reconnect, celebrate shared memories, and continue the relationships built through our program.

Those conversations planted the seed for what would become the Bearcat Classic.

Supporting the Next Generation

The Bearcat Classic also serves as a fundraiser for the Cullman Cross Country program. Proceeds from the event will help provide the resources and opportunities our student-athletes need to train, compete, and grow.

By participating, you're investing in the future of Cullman Cross Country and helping us continue building a program that develops not only successful runners, but young people of character.

Celebrating Cullman's Running Community

Running continues to grow in Cullman, and we couldn't be more excited about it! We wanted to create another great event that brings our community together—welcoming competitive runners, recreational runners, alumni, families, and anyone who enjoys being part of something special.

And to make this race truly unique, we're taking runners somewhere that holds a special place in the history of our program.

The Boy Scout Route: Where Bearcat Memories Are Made

The Bearcat Classic 5K will feature one of the most historic and cherished training routes in Cullman Cross Country history: Boy Scout.

For generations of Bearcat runners, Boy Scout has been more than just a running route. It's been a milestone.

When young athletes join our program and begin training from Cullman High School, Boy Scout is often one of the first routes they learn as they progress beyond their beginning training groups. Over the years, countless miles have been logged, friendships strengthened, and memories made along this familiar stretch of road.

It's a route woven into the identity and tradition of Cullman Cross Country.

Now, we're excited to share that experience with the entire community.

Come Be Part of the Tradition!

Whether you're a former Bearcat returning to familiar roads, a competitive runner chasing a personal best, a young athlete participating in the Bearcat Mile, or a community member simply looking to enjoy a great event, there's a place for you at the Bearcat Classic.

Join us as we celebrate where we've been, support where we're going, and continue building something special together.

One Community. One Tradition. One Bearcat Legacy.

The Bearcat Classic 5k Course

The course's starting line is on Stadium Drive adjacent to the CHS student parking lot behind the baseball field's outfield wall. The race starts with a downhill followed by an uphill and a left turn onto Oak Drive. The course rolls through Oak Drive and then turns right on Schwann Avenue and then left around Stieflemeyer Park until it takes another left on 8th Court, which bends around and becomes 2nd Street. The course follows 2nd Street for a little under a half mile and then takes a right on 2nd Avenue. The course stays on 2nd avenue for close to a mile passing Sacred Heart, the Cullman Public Library, City Hall, Depot Park, Police Station, CMS, and continues until it takes a right on 13th Street. The course follows 13th Street past Cullman High School and takes a right on Stadium Drive and works itself down Stadium Drive until it takes a right through the entrance to the Stadium between the baseball field and stadium. The course continues onto the track for an Olympic style finish. As the course enters the track it goes right onto the curve behind the high jump pit, down the home stretch of the track, around the curve under the scoreboard, and down the final stretch through the finish line on the track. 

We will have mile markers and kilometer markers on the course as well as course sentries to direct runners through the course. 

The Bearcat Mile Course

The course will be four laps on the track plus the additional 9 meters for a total of 1609 meters, making it a true mile course. This race is for anyone wanting to test themselves at the mile distance. We will organize the race so that the faster runners are at the front. 

Race Commentary 

Having the 5k course finish on the track and racing the Bearcat Mile on the track will allow for exciting race commentary through our stadium speakers. Anyone who has enjoyed a home track and field meet at Oliver Woodard Stadium knows that Coach Dean brings a special element to the event with his commentary on the mic. We are excited to bring that element to this event.

Timing

We will have FAT (fully-automated timing) provided by Sean Allan's RunningLane Company. This includes the arch over the finish line, text message results, and official times for all race participants. 

Event Shirts 

Shirts are guaranteed for all those who register online by December 21st. 

Drawing (Win Books!)

Some of Coach Dean's favorite running books and other popular running books will be awarded through a drawing at the beginning of the Awards Ceremony.

Awards

We will award top 3 medals for overall winners and age group winners for each division, male and female, for both the Bearcat Classic 5k and the Bearcat Mile. 

Age Groups: 0-6, 7-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 and Up

Alumni Challenge: There will be a special award to the fastest male and female alumni.

Spirit Award: There will be a special award for the runner who embodies encouragement and a positive attitude for the morning. 

Refreshments

There will be a complimentary hot chocolate station, as well as water, doughnuts, and fruit at the finish line area on the turf.

Food Truck 

We will also have Tom's Coffee Truck on site. 

Finish Line Area 

There will be music during the time the leading up to the races that will give way to live race commentary on the mic by Coach Dean during the races. Announcements and awards will also be on the mic using our stadium speakers. We will have the podium set up for the awards so that there will be the opportunity for post-race photos. 

We will have our hot chocolate station in this area, as well as water, doughnuts, and fruit for our participants. 

Photographer

We will have an event photographer taking photos throughout the morning, and we will have those photos posted to our Cullman XC Track Facebook page as soon as possible after the event. 

Event Schedule

7:00 a.m. Packet Pick-up inside Oliver Woodard Stadium by lower concessions. All gates to the stadium will be open, and there is no charge for parking or entry. Feel free to bring chairs and set up on the turf or in the bleachers. 

7:45 a.m. National Anthem, Prayer, Rousing Speech from Coach Dean, and Final Instructions

8:00 a.m. The Bearcat Classic 5k starts with the firing of the Starter Pistol

8:30 a.m. The Bearcat Mile starts with the firing of the Starter Pistol

9:15 a.m. Drawing, 5k Awards and Podium Photos, Mile Awards and Podium Photos