Annual event honors former Chief MasterSergeant of the Air Force and raises funds for military families living withAlzheimer's disease and dementia at Hawthorn House
Runners, walkers, military families, veterans, retirees, active-duty service members, and community supporters are invited to participate in the 12th Annual CMSAF Binnicker Memorial Run presented by Eglin Federal Credit Union on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Air Force Enlisted Village.
The annual event honors James C. Binnicker, who served as the 9th Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force from 1986 to 1990 and later served as Air Force Enlisted Village's President and CEO from 2000 to 2015.
Race participants can choose from a 9K Run, 5K Run, 5K Walk, or 1 Mile Fun Run. Virtual race options also are available for those who are unable to participate in person.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the memory care wing at Hawthorn House, Air Force Enlisted Village's assisted living residence. Hawthorn House provides care and support for military widows, retirees, veterans, and their family members living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
"The CMSAF Binnicker Memorial Run is a wonderful way for our community to honor Chief Binnicker's legacy while supporting the residents of Hawthorn House," said AFEV President and CEO Brooke McLean." Every registration, donation, and fundraising effort helps us provide compassionate care and support to military families who have given so much to our nation."
The event's history dates back to 2015, when USAF members from nearby Eglin Air Force Base were training for the Air Force Marathon and wanted to honor CMSAF Binnicker. Because Binnicker served as the 9th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the inaugural event was established as a 9K.
During his 15-year tenure as AFEV President and CEO, Binnicker's vision helped bring several important additions to the Bob Hope Village campus, including the Garden of Hope, the Bob Gates Welcome Center, and Hawthorn House. He also created "The Mom Rule," a guiding philosophy that encourages employees to treat residents with the same respect, dignity, and compassion they would want for their own mothers.
The first 300 registrants for the 9K and 5K will receive an official event shirt and challenge coin. Following the race, participants can enjoy a post-race celebration featuring food from Magnolia Grill and Knife's Edge Cafe, cold drinks, a DJ, and an awards ceremony.
Medals will be presented tothe overall male and female winners of the 9K and 5K runs, the first-place male and female winners of the 5K Walk, and the overall male and female winners of the 9K and 5K runs, first-place male and female winners of the 5K Walk, and first-place male and female winners in designated age groups for both the 9K and 5K.
Participants can also take part in AFEV's Extra Mile Challenge. Those who commit to raising $109 will be eligible for reimbursement of their registration fee, up to the registration cost, after meeting the fundraising goal. Fundraisers can also earn milestone badges and AFEV merchandise at various fundraising milestones.
Race weekend activities begin Friday, October 2, with packet pickup sponsored by FPL from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bob Hope Village Commons building. Race and AFEV merchandise, including bib snaps, trucker hats, and vintage tees, will be available for purchase.
A pasta dinner sponsored by OneConnectionIT will also be held from 4 to 6 p.m. during packet pickup. Dine-in and to-go options will be available, and pasta dinner tickets can be purchased as an add-on during race registration or separately for those who would like to support AFEV without participating in the race.
There are many ways to support the CMSAF Binnicker Memorial Run, including running or walking, creating a fundraiser, making a donation, purchasing pasta dinner tickets, or volunteering.
Register now at afev.us/run.
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