Atlanta Hawks Fast Break 5K Brings Community Together for Fitness and Fun

Annual race around State Farm Arena draws 1,800 runners and walkers to celebrate healthy living and Atlanta pride.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:54pm

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The annual Atlanta Hawks Fast Break 5K, presented by Sharecare, drew a sellout crowd of over 1,800 runners and walkers to downtown Atlanta on Saturday. The race, which has become a staple community event since launching in 2015, featured a course winding through the city and around State Farm Arena, followed by an awards ceremony and post-race festivities with appearances from Hawks entertainment teams.

Why it matters

The Hawks Fast Break 5K goes beyond just competition, serving as a way to encourage healthier lifestyles and bring Atlantans together through an accessible, community-focused fitness experience. As a basketball team, the Hawks aim to promote wellness and fitness as part of the city's rich culture.

The details

The race is part of the Atlanta Track Club's ATL Fit Fan Series, which connects sports fans through community-focused fitness events. Participants received perks like a commemorative shirt, digital race photos, and a voucher for a future Hawks game, highlighting the team's efforts to link fitness with fan engagement. From competitive runners to first-time participants, the event carried a festival-like energy with music, cheering crowds, and emcee callouts.

  • The race began at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2026.
  • The event has been held annually since 2015, marking nearly a decade since its inception.

The players

Joe Abercrombie

Senior Vice President of Live Experience and Production for the Atlanta Hawks.

Derek Fulford

Vice President of Marketing at Sharecare, the presenting sponsor of the event.

Atlanta Track Club

The organization that hosts the ATL Fit Fan Series, including the Hawks Fast Break 5K.

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What they’re saying

“This is a great community event. It's a great time for professional runners and weekend warriors to come out, get some exercise, and just enjoy the city.”

— Joe Abercrombie, Senior Vice President of Live Experience and Production for the Atlanta Hawks

“We're a basketball team, but we love to promote wellness and fitness. Atlanta has such a rich culture, and running is a big part of that.”

— Joe Abercrombie, Senior Vice President of Live Experience and Production for the Atlanta Hawks

“It's a way to celebrate fitness, community, and love for the Atlanta Hawks. You're getting people out here to take a healthy action, but also doing it in a fun way that supports the city.”

— Derek Fulford, Vice President of Marketing at Sharecare

What’s next

Organizers say they are already looking ahead to next year's race, with plans to make the event even bigger and accommodate more participants.

The takeaway

The Atlanta Hawks Fast Break 5K has become a beloved community event that goes beyond just fitness, serving as a way to bring Atlantans together through shared passions for sports, healthy living, and civic pride. The race's growth over the past decade demonstrates the power of sports to inspire movement and connection in a city.