Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5k 2025 Recap

The Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K, presented by McDonald’s, was filled with music, miles, and mission! From spirited runners and walkers to rockin’ costumes and finish line celebrations, our community showed up in full force. Every step taken helped RMHCA provide the comfort, care, and support families need while their child receives medical care. We are incredibly grateful for our volunteers, participants, sponsors, and communities across Alabama for making this event so special. Thank you for the tremendous impact this event has made on our mission!

$87,410 RAISED

at Red Shoe Run 2025 will provide

nights of comfort and care at the Ronald McDonald House free of charge.

Why We Run

At this year’s Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K presented by McDonald’s, the Ezelle family shared their story, showing just how powerful your support can be. In early 2024, their daughter Mary Catherine “MC” had open-heart surgery at just three weeks old. When she needed emergency care weeks later, the Ezelles rushed to Birmingham with her twin, unsure where to stay. RMHCA gave them a safe, welcoming place just steps from the hospital.

“It was a relief to have a place close to our baby girl. We are so thankful they supported us when we had no time to think much less to plan. It’s truly a place to stay away from home when your life is in crisis. Every time we’ve call, we have a place to stay and that’s so meaningful.“

This year, the Ezelles formed a Red Shoe Run team with their extended family and raised the most of any team—earning them our House Hero Award. Because of supporters like you,families like theirs never face these challenges alone.

Participant Information

Teams	67 registered
1 Mile Fun Run	139 Registered
5K Run/Walk	613 Registered
Snoozers	63 Registered
Total	815 Registered

704 Alabama Partcipants

111 Participants from other states

Click Here for this year’s race results.

VIPs and Very Important Mascots

Our Red Shoe Run stage was shining just as brightly as our racecourse thanks to some incredible special guests! JehJeh Pruitt from WBRC 6 News and DJ Mark AD brought high energy as our emcee, keeping the crowd engaged from start to finish. The morning kicked off with a powerful performance of the National Anthem by the Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir—a local nonprofit founded in 2015 that provides a creative space for youth and young adults to develop their musical talents.

We were honored to welcome Mayor Randall Woodfin and Councilor Crystal Smitherman, who joined us in celebrating the mission of RMHCA and cheering on our participants. Pageant titleholders also made a special appearance, including Ms. Black Alabama 2025 Elizabeth Perry, Miss Teen Alabama 2025 Addison Shoemaker, and Miss Iron City’s Teen Charlee Reid.

And of course, it wouldn’t be Red Shoe Run without our mascot crew! Ronald McDonald led the fun with appearances by Grimace, Hamburglar, UAB’s Blaze, Vulcan and Vesta, and Pelican’s Commander. These fan favorites brought joy to kids (and kids at heart!) all morning long.