NewsStateTennesseeDavidson County

Actions

Inaugural 9 to 5K run and walk honors Dolly Parton's legacy and commitment to literacy

The sold-out event at Music Circle South features a 5K, kids' run, costume contest, and live entertainment, with proceeds benefiting the Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee.
Inaugural 9 to 5K run and walk honors Dolly Parton's legacy and commitment to literacy
First ever 9 to 5K in Nashville raises money for Imagination Library
Posted

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — More than 1,600 runners took part in the inaugural 9 to 5K Run and Walk in honor of Dolly Parton on Saturday at Music Circle South in Nashville.

The sold-out event is a celebration of Parton's music, joyful spirit and commitment to childhood literacy.

WATCH: Inaugural 9 to 5K run and walk honors Dolly Parton

First ever 9 to 5K in Nashville raises money for Imagination Library

The day's schedule included:

  • Packet pickup
  • 5K start at 7:30 a.m.
  • Dolly Dash Kids Run at 8:30 a.m.
  • Costume contest and awards at 9 a.m.

In addition to the race, attendees enjoyed music, live entertainment and a costume contest.

Fans, racers react to inaugural 9 to 5K

Proceeds from the event benefit the United Way of Greater Nashville and Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee.

Racers finish inaugural 9 to 5K

For more on what organizers had to say about the event — including why it was important to hold it in Parton's honor and how benefiting organizations were selected — watch the videos above.

Nashville's inaugural 9 to 5K run honors Dolly Parton

Want to know why organizers chose to celebrate Dolly Parton's legacy through a community run — and how they decided which Nashville children's literacy organizations would benefit? Watch the full interviews in the videos above to hear directly from the people behind the event. Have a story idea or want to share your experience from the race? Reach out to Eric Pointer at Eric.Pointer@NewsChannel5.com.

This story was reported by Eric Pointer and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Eric Pointer and our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Carrie: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/2e/72/be0f23854c54a228c9d6138c9847/carrie-recommends-header.png

Rhori: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/5b/25/a224d13d47739165c92b94e643db/rhori-recommends-header.png

Eugene: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/7b/09/9eaf788d46f580c4234978610d60/screenshot-2026-04-29-at-12-11-52-pm.png

Lelan: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/af/54/833bf879454097a398bd44f723de/lelan-recommends.png

Nikki-Dee: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/e1/b4/685a931d4182b82d9322d496fa15/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-01-18-pm.png

Henry: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/f7/31/2e3894bf45d9a1668f1ccc56b9f6/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-01-00-pm.png

Katie: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/77/55/afe9375249a4b9e058e4b2c3d2ea/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-00-46-pm.png

Brittany: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/67/90/788e5c364f00baabf9c5edae87e2/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-00-06-pm.png

Jennifer: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/e4/1e/9771c0824888a0fd87b2a1030979/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-02-19-pm.png

The skies were closed on 9/11. A Nashville phone call helped save a baby’s life

September 11, 2001 is a day most associate with terror and tragedy. Austin Pollack shares a story from that day about hope and persistence: the effort to save a little girl’s life – with an organ donation. The problem? The young patient was in Houston, and her life-saving liver here in Nashville. With the grounding of all civilian aircraft, how could it be done? “Nobody ever said this isn’t possible.”

- Rhori Johnston