The Be the Light 5K is a race through Downtown Forest City. Starting at McNair Field participants get two passes underneath the beautiful Christmas lights in Forest City. This is a family friendly event with opportunities for everyone to get time underneath the lights, to create one of a kind memories. Be the Light 5K is the yearly fundraiser for Hope Network of Rutherford County, a non-profit with the goal to equip, empower and disciple women out of the grips of addiction. We are thankful for your support and look forward to seeing you toe the line in December with us!

The Cross Country Experience is 5K trying to provide the same experience high school cross country runners experience. The race is run on the R-S Central 5 K course. The course is 2 loops partially on dirt trails and partially paved parking lot. The finish in the football stadium at R-S is really fast. This event also provides local runners a chance to compete with high school runners.

COURSE RECORDS

Years on current course: 2019-2022

Male: Chris Upton – 17:06.4 (2019)

Female: Shelby Gurley – 20:09.4 (2022)

Course Records by Age Group

 

The Race to the Rock 5K is also a very scenic event in the Lake Lure Olympiad. Its starts early on Sunday morning and views from the finish are usually spectacular. The course run from the town of Chimney Rock to the visitors center at the top of the mountain. This 5K returns after being absent in 2022 much to the dismay of many who cherish the opportunity of a real challenge.

The Lake Lure Olympiad weekend ends with the ultimate racing challenge: the 5K run to the top of Chimney Rock. Both races end with a 7-9%
grade incline that finishes at the base of the 315 foot tall Chimney Rock.

What’s even more enticing is that this is the ONLY TIME you can run up to Chimney Rock all year. If the climb doesn’t take your breath away, the
incredible 75-mile panoramic view at the top surely will.

 

COURSE RECORDS

Course Record Dates – 2011-2021 (Excluding 2018)

Male – Anthony Famiglietti – 18:05 (2017)

Female – Jennifer Fisher – 22:18 (2015)

Click for Course Records for All Age Groups

 

 

The Leader of the Pack 5K is an event produced by the Rutherford County Schools Backpack Program. The 5K is one of the major fund raisers for the Backpack Program. The program provides students with food backpacks on weekends to insure they have sufficient nutrition when not at school for the lunch programs. The course starts at the Forest City Owls stadium and runs a loop through town to finish back at the stadium. This race has more participants than any other race in the ROC series mostly fueled by kids from the county schools.

COURSE RECORDS

Course Record Dates – 2018-2023

Male – Christopher Upton – 16:40.9 (2019)

Female – Shelby Gurley – 19:45.9 (2023)

Click for Course Records for All Age Groups

 

COURSE MAP

 

This 10K kicks off the Olympiad at Lake Lure. It starts at Ingles on Hwy 9 and run around the east side of the lake to the Rumbling Bald Resort; finishing on the beach there. The course is scenic but it is not an easy 10K. The race shirts are usually very special and the finish is very scenic.

The Lake Lure Olympiad’s 10K Dam Run is an ideal race for athletes looking for a unique one-way 10K. This challenging course begins at Ingles Supermarket
on Route 9, heads east on Route 64 and onto Buffalo Shoals Road.

After crossing the iconic Lake Lure Dam, the route winds up and down along the scenic shore road to finish on the Beach at Rumbling Bald Resort before
a crowd of cheering spectators.

RACE STARTS AT 7 pm !

Event Site Rules

Runners MUST finish race by 8:15 PM due to darkness. Light traffic at major intersections will be monitored but roads are not closed. Buffalo Shoals Road
is especially winding, steep, narrow and often heavily slanted on the shoulders. Residents have been advised of the time and approximate duration of
the race, but you should be alert for cars in both directions as you run.

 

COURSE RECORDS

Course Record Dates – 2011-2022

Male – Anthony Famiglietti – 30:40 (2016)

Female – Jess Drop – 37:58.8 (2019)

Click for Course Records for All Age Groups

 

COURSE MAP

The Miles for Messiah 5K starts and finishes at the Pleasant View Community Church . The run raises funds to benefit youth programs at the church. They also offer a pancake breakfast to all the runners after the race. The course is a figure 9 with a loop off Doggett Rd and one gradual incline. The church youth and leaders manage the event and try to make it f a family type event. The event has been in the ROC race series since 2012.

COURSE RECORDS

Years on Current Course – 2012 to 2023

Male – Christopher Upton – 16:29 (2019)

Female – Jennifer Fisher – 19:00 (2015)

Click for Course Records for All Age Groups

 

COURSE MAP (below)

The Purple Martin Greenway runs through Rutherfordton and is a relatively new trail in the area. The four mile race will start at Kiwanis Park at the north end of the trail and run the entire 2 mile length of the trail and return. There are several elevation changes along the trail but no major hills. This will be the first time for this as a 4 mile event so course records are a guarantee. The Town of Rutherfordton produces the event as a fund raiser for town trail projects.

South of the Mountain 5K is a trail run at the South Mountain Christian Camp. This really a trail run that goes over a hill, through the woods and around the lake. The fall colors are usually on full display for the race. The event typically provides good swag and a great venue for runners. This would be considered a fun course and not a fast course.

• 5k walk/run for all ages
• Trophies awarded to overall winners
• 84 awarded medals for top finishers in each age group
• Free shirt & backpack if registered by Oct. 17
• Professional disposable chip timing
• $25 pre-registration fee
• Free Fun Run for kids under age 12
• Supervised kids activities during the 5k!

All proceeds help send economically disadvantaged children and youth to summer camp.

COURSE RECORDS

Course Record Dates – 2019-2022

Male – John Marsh – 19:30.7 (2020)

Female – Jennifer Fisher – 20:43.5 (2022)

Click for Course Records for All Age Groups

 

Union Mills Learning Center is presenting their 5th annual 5K and 10K Runs. Both the 5K and 10K will count for points towards the ROC Race Series points in 2023.

The 10K boast spectacular scenery, taking runners alongside the Second Broad River, the CSX Railroad, and around the base of Rocky Face Mountain and the area now known as Box Creek Wilderness. The 5K is on the same course as the 10K, but turns back sooner. Both races are scheduled to start at 10am.

Awards for Top 2 Male & Female Overall and Top Male & Female in each Age Group:

1-12; 13-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70 & over