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The sixth annual installment of the Forging Families 5K/10K took place on Saturday, Feb. 1 in Columbiana. (Reporter photos/Noah Wortham)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – One by one, runners crossed Columbiana Main Street on a bright, beautiful Saturday morning as they made their way back to the finish line during the annual Forging Families 5K/10K which raised more than $11,000 to support a local family with adoption fees.

With 176 registered runners, the sixth annual Forging Families 5K/10K raised $11,308.30 for Sacred Selections through a series of athletic races on Saturday, Feb. 1 in Columbiana.

“I love everything about this race,” said Joel Dixon who organizes Forging Families each year. “It’s such a fun, rewarding day each year. I love raising this money for such an important cause.”

Despite a delay from Jan. 11 to Feb. 1 due to weather, the Forging Families 5K/10K saw runners take the time to get out and run for a good cause while other registrants allowed the charity to keep the money.

“Outside of a weather delay, which always complicates things, it’s been a really good year,” Dixon said. “The crowd was great, even with the change of day, people were so gracious and so kind. Whether we deferred their cost or they asked for a refund, a lot of folks just said, “We can’t make it, but please accept it as a donation.’ So, it’s been a good a good day, and I think everybody that ran had a good day.”

This year’s installment of the event featured a 5K and 10K that began around 8 a.m. with a 1 mile fun run held immediately afterward at approximately 9:15 a.m. The first course began in Old Mill Square and curved around the Shelby County Museum and Archives down Columbiana Main Street, East Sterrett Street and Thompson Street before looping back around.

“I’m really proud of the course,” Dixon said. “The course is really—other than the hill over by the cemetery and the hill going up East Sterrett street—it’s flat, so it lends itself to really fast times. And then the police department does a phenomenal job controlling traffic and letting people run safely.”

The races also received support from the community with students from Shelby County High School’s cross country team participating and cheerleaders encouraging runners as they neared the finish line.

For Dixon, there have been three goals for the Forging Families 5K/10K each year since its debut in 2019.

Firstly, he wants to ensure the races raise money for an important cause which, for the past 6 years, has been Sacred Selections—a non-profit organization committed to assisting Christian families in their efforts to adopt.

“With adoption, you are crafting a family in a really, really important way,” Dixon said. “We’re somewhere around raising $65,000 over the last six years. So, that’s a big deal and that makes it easier for families that are willing to take on the challenge of adopting.”

The $11,308.30 received from this year’s race went to Sacred Selections to assist Conner and Jaci Burleson. The Helena couple have been married for five and a half years and this marks their first adoption.

“No. 2, I want to make sure that runners come (and) they have a great experience,” Dixon said. “I want it to be a good, quality race for runners.”

The Forging Families 5K/10K utilizes digital timing to make sure its statistics are accurate with a full breakdown of results listed on the event’s website each year. Additionally, for this year’s races, the top participants were rewarded medals for their performance in categories such as age group, gender and race type.

Lastly, Dixon’s third goal each year is for the races bring new visitors to Columbiana who haven’t been before with the hopes that they visit local businesses and fall in love with the area in the way that he has.

“This little town is amazing, full of great people and great places,” Dixon said. “I hope those who come will visit our local businesses and find out a little more about what makes Columbiana so special.”

With this year’s races and charity work complete, Dixon looks forward to leading the seventh annual Forging Families 5K/10K on Jan. 10, 2026.

“I hope you all had great time and look forward to seeing you next year,” Dixon said.

Those interested in seeing the results of the Forging Families 5K/10K and more can visit the event’s official website at Jdixon0508.wixsite.com/forgingfamilies5k.

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