Dashing Through the Square: A Marietta Holiday Tradition

Every December, the heart of Marietta Square transforms into a scene worthy of a holiday postcard. Streets glow, bells jingle, and hundreds of runners and walkers gather for one of Cobb County’s most joyful events: Dashing Through the Square 5K.

Now celebrating its 10th year, this festive 5K run/walk has become a local favorite for families, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone who loves an excuse to wear Santa hats in public before 8 a.m.

How It Started: From Fundraiser Idea to Community Tradition

Long before the holiday lights and medals, the race began with a simple idea inside Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®; Rho Zeta Omega Chapter and The PEARL Foundation, Inc.  The partners were looking for a fundraiser that everyone could join. Something affordable, inclusive, and community-focused.

Various members suggested a 5K. It would be open to all ages and fitness levels, cost far less than the formal galas the partners had hosted, and raise funds for scholarships and programs serving Cobb County.

One idea became action, and action became tradition. A decade later, Dashing Through the Square is both a fundraiser and a holiday celebration that brings together hundreds of runners, walkers, families, and volunteers from across metro Atlanta.

What the Race Supports

The race’s impact goes far beyond the finish line. Net proceeds benefit The PEARL Foundation, Inc. the 501(c)3 collaborative partner of Rho Zeta Omega Chapter, which funds scholarships and community programs across Cobb County.

Those programs include:

• Scholarships: In 2024 alone, $65,000 was awarded to local high-school seniors.
• Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP): Providing weekend meals for children who rely on school lunches.
• Golden Citizens Program: Supporting area seniors through outreach and service.

In other words, every registration helps someone in Cobb County.

Behind the Scenes: Organized Mayhem and Sisterhood

Race director Jennifer Turner knows the event inside and out. A chemical engineer by training, she brings process and precision to every detail, from timing and signage to t-shirt design. But she’s quick to say it’s the people who make it work.

Her “committee” of about 40 members meets year-round to plan, recruit sponsors, and organize volunteers. On race day, more than 100 members show up, cheering, directing runners, handing out water, and ensuring that every participant feels the warmth of The PEARL Foundation, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®;Rho Zeta Omega Chapter’s and hospitality.

And sometimes, that hospitality comes with a sense of humor. Turner laughs about the year everyone showed up 30 minutes before the start because it was cold, creating a mini logistical snowstorm of packet pickups. Lesson learned: pick up your packet early (at Big Peach Running Co. East Cobb) and sleep in.

The Energy Is the Point

If you’ve ever been in Big Peach East Cobb during packet pickup week, you know the vibe. The store buzzes with conversation, laughter, and that unmistakable energy that comes when a community rallies behind something bigger than itself.

That energy carries into race morning with the music, the costumes, the smiles, and the mix of seasoned runners and first-timers lining up together. Expect to see Santa, the Grinch, families with strollers, dogs in reindeer ears, and this year, the return of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

Why It’s Special

There are plenty of races in metro Atlanta, but few carry this blend of purpose and personality. Dashing Through the Square is both a celebration and a thank-you note to the community that supports it.

You run through historic Marietta Square, past holiday decorations and the giant Christmas tree, wave to volunteers in pink and green, and finish in time for brunch at any of the local restaurants that dot the square.

It’s a chance to start the holiday week on a high note, or to justify a few extra cookies later. Either way, you win.

There are plenty of races in metro Atlanta, but few carry this blend of purpose and personality. Dashing Through the Square is both a celebration and a thank-you note to the community that supports it.

You run through historic Marietta Square, past holiday decorations and the giant Christmas tree, wave to volunteers in pink and green, and finish in time for brunch at any of the local restaurants that dot the square.

It’s a chance to start the holiday week on a high note, or to justify a few extra cookies later. Either way, you win.

Looking Ahead

As the race heads into its next decade, Turner, The PEARL Foundation and Rho Zeta Omega Chapter plan to keep evolving. Each year brings new ideas and lessons, from weather plans to volunteer coordination to the dream of making Dashing Through the Square a “must-do” event across metro Atlanta.

And with the partner’s depth, dedication, and community spirit, that goal feels less like ambition and more like inevitability.

Join the Fun

Race Date: Saturday, December 20
Start Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Marietta Square
Distance: 5K (3.1 miles)

Register, volunteer, or learn more at thepearlfoundationga.org

Then stop by Big Peach East Cobb for holiday running gear and expert advice on the right shoes for your first or next 5K. We’ll help you gear up for race day and maybe get you to send us a selfie with the Wienermobile while you’re at it.

FAQs: Dashing Through the Square 5K