Media release from the Family Resource Center:
Mark your calendars! The 40th Annual Tillman Clocktower 5K Road Race and 2-Mile Health Walk is set for Saturday, August 16, 2025, beginning at 8:00 AM in Heritage Park.
This milestone year marks four decades of one of Rome’s most cherished traditions, hosted by the Family Resource Center over the last decade. As the oldest continuously running race in Northwest Georgia and a runner favorite across the state, the event continues to draw hundreds of participants each year—runners, walkers, and families alike.
Started by Jamie Doss in 1986, the race began as a Rome Jaycees service project to raise funds for Clocktower restoration. In 1995, race management was assumed by the Rome Runners Club, and for the next eleven years, proceeds supported various local nonprofits. In 2006, following the tragic death of local runner and Exchange Club member Gary Tillman, the race was renamed the Gary Tillman Memorial Clocktower 5K, and the Family Resource Center—a program Tillman had strongly supported—became the sole beneficiary. The FRC officially took over race management in 2016. Today, close to 75 volunteers from the Exchange Club and the Rome community join forces with the Family Resource Center each year to carry on this important local legacy.
The challenging yet scenic 5K course winds through historic downtown Rome, passing several iconic landmarks. After beginning on West 3rd Street, runners make their way toward the daunting Clocktower Hill, circle historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery, and cross the Robert Redden Footbridge to finish. The 5K course is USATF certified (course number GA24030WC), is chip-timed by Wire2Wire Running, and serves as a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race.
The 2-Mile Health Walk offers a gentler route, still including the Clocktower Hill climb, but branching off to the Forum’s Town Green and crossing the John Ross Footbridge before following the Oostanaula River back to Heritage Park.
The race goes beyond being just a competition—it’s a celebration of community spirit and a commitment to child abuse prevention. The mission of the Family Resource Center is to strengthen families and prevent child abuse throughout Rome and Floyd/Polk Counties. Since 2006, the FRC has received nearly $470,000 in proceeds from the Tillman Clocktower 5K—funds that have been directly invested in programs that educate, support, and empower local parents.
“The Tillman Clocktower 5K is more than a race—it’s a legacy,” said Tina Bartleson, Executive Director of the Family Resource Center. “Whether you’re here to support a great cause, qualify for the 2026 Peachtree Road Race, conquer the most iconic hill in Rome, or simply enjoy a fun and healthy morning, this event has something for everyone.”
Participants who register by August 6 will receive a commemorative softstyle race t-shirt and gifts from multiple race sponsors. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, and race-day registration will be offered. The event also features awards, refreshments, music, and post-race stretching sessions to celebrate every finisher.
Ready to join the tradition? Visit www.frcrome.org/tillman/ to view course maps and register to be part of this historic 40th-year celebration.
