The Walnut Color Me Cured 5K is set for Saturday morning, Nov. 14, 2026, giving runners, walkers and families in north Tippah County a colorful way to support type 1 diabetes research. The untimed run and walk starts at 9 a.m. at Kids Town, 771 Main St. in Walnut, and all proceeds go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
The event is presented by the Town of Walnut Health and Wellness Committee and Eli’s Allies, a local group that raises money for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Both the town’s events page and the Eli’s Allies website list the Nov. 14 date.
What to Expect at the Walnut Color Me Cured 5K
Unlike a typical road race, Color Me Cured is built for fun rather than finishing times. According to the Town of Walnut, participants get a burst of colored powder thrown at them at each kilometer mark along the course, so most people will finish the 5K a lot more colorful than when they started.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Kids Town, 771 Main St., Walnut
Format: Untimed 5K run and walk with color stations
Beneficiary: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
The town notes that the event will not be timed and that awards for finishing order are not planned. That makes it a good fit for walkers, families with children, and anyone who wants to take part without worrying about a stopwatch.
Celebrating Local Heroes Living With T1D
Organizers describe the run as a celebration of “local heroes living with T1D.” Beyond raising money, the event aims to bring awareness and education about type 1 diabetes to the community while promoting health, wellness and fun, goals that line up with Walnut’s long-running emphasis on community wellness.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body stops producing insulin. It is often diagnosed in children and young adults, and people living with it must manage their blood sugar every day. JDRF, which now operates nationally under the name Breakthrough T1D, funds research aimed at better treatments, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.
Eli’s Allies says on its website that the proceeds from all of its fundraisers go to JDRF. The group also sells Eli’s Allies shirts to support the cause.
How to Register
There is still time to sign up before Saturday. According to the Town of Walnut, registration forms are available at:
Walnut Town Hall, 621 Main St.
Duncan’s Pharmacy
People’s Bank (Walnut Branch)
Online registration is available through the Eli’s Allies website. Town Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be reached at (662) 223-4405 for questions.
More Coming Up in Walnut
The 5K kicks off a busy holiday stretch for the town. In a Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 13, the Town of Walnut also reminded residents to sign up for its annual Christmas parade, which is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. Parade registration forms are available online at the town’s website or in print at Town Hall.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
