What started out as an exhibition race has now grown into a world championship title, and it’s all right here in Cedartown tonight.

With some athletes coming from as far away as Uganda and Japan to participate, the 9th annual Cedartown 5K will take place tonight on College Street.

Races begin at 6 p.m., with three different races scheduled. The Women and Quad Division races will both begin at 6 p.m. and the Men’s Division will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The starting line for the races is located on College Street, in front of Peek Park. This location is also the finish line, as racers will travel down local streets and loop back around.

After the races, a 7 p.m. ceremony will be held to honor the winners and a 7:30 p.m. community cookout will be hosted by the City of Cedartown at Peek Park.

The race showcases wheelchair athletes from around the world and prepares them for the upcoming 10K Fourth of July Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta.

Street closings for the race will include Peek Forest Park, College Street, Intersections of Martha Lane and College Street; Columbia and College Street. College Circle, John Hand Road, Lakeview Drive, John Phillips Road, Lakeside Drive, Ellen Hand Circle and Wiley Drive, George West Road, Marshall Street and Martha Lane.

These streets will be closed from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Local residents are invited by organizer Dave Grove to gather at Peek Park, or line the city streets that are part of the race.