Vinings Downhil 5K, a Run for the Kids

On August 19th, 2024, almost 1,500 runners gathered to compete in the 27th Annual Vinings Downhill 5K race. The Vinings Down Hill 5K course begins at the top of Mt. Wilkinson Parkway , winds around the Cumberland Mall area, and ends at the Lovett School (280-foot net drop).  All club members participate in this community wide event each at several meetings of planning and preparations.  40 members participated on race day itself.  In addition to club and community fellowship, the purpose of the race is to donate the proceeds to local charities.  This year, more than $85,000 was distributed to 17 charities.  

There is also a Kids 1K Fun Run and a fun Doggie Dash & Costume Contest! Our event includes a huge post race party at Vinings Jubilee with awards, music, great food and expo.

This is the 27th year the club has sponsored this race.  Countless club member group hours go into the planning of this event throughout the Rotary year.  On the day of the race virtually every club member is active in one or more roles to make the race the fund raising success that it is.  Eighty eight companies or individuals contributed to the race financially or in-kind to generate one of your best funded races ever!  Tremendous local community involvement, once again this year,

Our race committee starts in February planning and meets weekly in addition to their own individual hours of work. 40 club members were on hand the day of the race, some from 5:30 to 11 am. Five members met to review grant applications for four hours. The number of hours committed to this community fundraiser is difficult to measure, but the end result has a huge impact on our community, not only for the funds raised for charity but the fellowship and fun everyone has participating.

On February 4th, 2026, our race sponsors and 18 local children's charities were our guests for lunch where we handed out $85k in net race proceeds in support of local community charities that improve the lives of children in need. See viningsdownhill5k.com for more information and photos.

Twenty seven charities submittedrequests for grants. Local charities receiving grants from the race proceeds included:  

Atlanta Area Boy Scouts Council, Campbell High School Educational Foundation, Lekotek of GA, Kenrod, Bankhead Boys, youth Villages, Hearts Everywhere Reaching Out for Children, Table on Delk, Atlanta Mission, La Amistad, Center for Children and Young Adults, Link Counseling Center, Jason Cunningham Charitable Foundation, Food Security America, Giving Gardens, MUST Ministries, Ellis School of Atlanta, Free Bikes for Kidz, Girls On the Run, Four Corners Group, Atlanta Music Project, Tire Swing Collective Auditory Verbal Center, Marietta Schools Foundation, Kennesaw State University Foundation, Good Samaritan Health Center, Calvary Children’s Home, Canine Companions