Every spring, more than 40,000 Warren Buffett devotees make their way to Omaha, Nebraska—not for a music festival or major sporting event, but for an earnings call. That’s not a joke.
It’s the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting, affectionately dubbed “Woodstock for Capitalists.” And woven into the weekend’s lineup of investing insights, shareholder Q&As, and pop-up shopping from Buffett-owned brands is something slightly unexpected: a 5K race.
But not just any 5K.
The Invest in Yourself 5K, hosted by Brooks Running and backed by Berkshire Hathaway, might just be the most affluent road race in the world. Where else do you find billionaire investors, hedge fund managers, and index fund true believers lining up for a jog through downtown Omaha?
This year’s edition took place Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. at Gene Leahy Mall, right in the heart of the city, and saw 3,000 runners take to the line.
From the Oracle to the Oval Track
Warren Buffett has long championed the idea of personal development as the ultimate investment. So when Brooks Running (a Berkshire subsidiary since 2012) launched the “Invest in Yourself” 5K over a decade ago, it was more than just a clever name—it was a mission statement.
Today, the race has become a staple of the AGM weekend. It’s a mix of casual walkers, serious runners, and people who know the difference between a limit order and a limit switch. And yes, the race bibs might be pinned to some very expensive running tops.
“I ran it last year next to a guy who owns 2,000 shares of Berkshire and another guy in a banana costume,” one runner wrote on Reddit. “Truly a full-spectrum experience.”
The Banana That Beats You for a Good Cause
Yes, there is an actual banana on the course. And yes, it’s for charity.
Each year, the race includes the Banana Challenge: a runner in a banana suit starts dead last and tries to pass as many people as possible. For every runner the banana overtakes, Brooks donates $5—split between Girls, Inc. of Omaha and Special Olympics Nebraska.
There’s a guaranteed minimum of $5,000 per charity, but the more runners get “bananad,” the higher the tally climbs.
It’s an unusual approach to fundraising, but it works. And it’s pure Buffett: simple, efficient, and quietly effective.
Running for Bragging Rights (and a Limited-Edition Shoe)
The event isn’t just about charity and cardio—it’s also a chance to compete. Awards are given to the top male, female, and non-binary finishers, age group winners, and the fastest and largest teams. There’s even a corporate challenge, where businesses can flex both speed and size.
Forget merch tables. The true collector’s item at the AGM is footwear.
Each year, Brooks drops a limited-edition Berkshire Hathaway running shoe, available only for a limited time. For 2025, they’ve gone all-in on the Adrenaline GTS 24—a crowd-favorite stability shoe, now offered in two exclusive colorways for both men and women.
No Ghost 15 this year. Just the GTS, dressed up in black or white with subtle Berkshire branding. It’s not flashy, but it’s unmistakably AGM-only. Past versions even featured cartoon versions of Buffett himself:
This year’s design is more understated, but the vibe is the same: “I ran the most capitalist 5K in America and all I got were these limited-edition shoes.”
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Brooks is sponsoring an oligarchs 5K. Brooks also donated to project 2025, so keep that in mind every time you go to the running store. As far as I’m concerned, Brooks as a brand is dead to me. I vote with my pocketbook.
Brooks is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, which explains why they were there.
Thomas from Marathon Handbook