VandyBoys Salute to Service 5K

The Return of Nashville’s Most Meaningful Miles

After four years, the tradition returns to the West End. Join the VandyBoys and Memories of Honor to celebrate America’s 250th birthday by carrying the names of our fallen service members. This is more than a race; it is a living memorial where we turn passive gratitude into active honor.

The Pre-Game Mission: While the VandyBoys prepare for battle on the diamond, we take to the pavement to honor those who fought the ultimate battle for us. In a region that is home to over 146,000 veterans and thousands of surviving families, this is our opportunity to show up as one community.

The Living Memorial: This isn't a standard 5K. You don’t just run for a time; you run for a name. Upon registration, you are matched with a fallen hero. You will wear their name on your chest and carry their legacy to the finish line, providing powerful, visible proof to their families that their loved one is still an inspiration to us all.

One Team. One Mission. No One Forgotten.

Event Logistics

• Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
• Time: 8:00 AM
• Location: Vanderbilt University Hawkins Field
• Post-Race: Head to Hawkins Field to catch the VandyBoys in their official Salute to Service game!

What You Get

• Commemorative t-shirt
• Fallen Hero Memorial Bib
• That amazing feeling you get when you know you are making an impact in your community.

Awards

• Overall Top Finishers
• Top Overall Male
• Top Overall Female
• Age Group Awards: 1st Place Male and Female in each of the following categories: Under 18, Ages 18 to 29, Ages 30 to 39, Ages 40 to 49, Ages 50 to 64, Over 65

REGISTRATION OPTIONS

• GENERAL REGISTRATION
  Price: $34.92 incl. $2.92 Fee
  Registration Opens February 20, 2026 at 11:59pm CST
• Vanderbilt Students & Staff
  Price: $27.50 incl. $2.50 Fee
  Registration Opens February 20, 2026 at 11:59pm CST
• Active Duty Military
  Price: $27.50 incl. $2.50 Fee
  Registration Opens February 20, 2026 at 11:59pm CST

WANT TO RUN FOR FREE?

Commit to the mission. Raise $250 for Memories of Honor, and we will automatically refund your entire registration fee. Click ' Become a Fundraiser ' during checkout to start.

We’re Back in 2026. Since 2022, the heartbeat of our campus has been under construction—but our mission never paused. This April, the barricades come down. We are reclaiming the pavement for the families of the fallen. Whether you’re a student, an alum, or a patriot from across the state, this is the homecoming Nashville has been waiting for.

Join us for the Salute to Service 5K on Vanderbilt University’s Campus. Most 5Ks are about time.This one’s about memory. When you register, you’ll receive a bib bearing the name of a fallen hero. You don’t just wear it—you carry it forward, mile by mile, name by name. You become part of something bigger than yourself. This is not a charity run.This is a living memorial—one that honors sacrifice, unites generations, and turns gratitude into action.