THE WIMPY MILE - THE FASTEST MILE IN DAHLONEGA!

5k NOGAWILD Safari Fun Run/Walk. September 12th, 2026

Join us for a one-of-a-kind family-friendly run/walk through the parks where you will run/walk by 100s of animals from antelope, penguins, camel, zebra, kangaroos, and more! Join us in this fun-run fundraising event to help support the efforts of Creation Encounters. You can learn more about their work here. Come prepared to walk/run on an all-terrain course. To learn more about the course itself click here.

Check-in is at 8:00 a.m. The first wave goes out at 8:30 a.m.

8:30am Safari Run/Walk All About the Animals Course (2.8 miles)- 2 laps. This course follows Wildlife Park pathways and the Safari Drive-Thru road (gravel, asphalt, and mulch). Children under 4 are free with a participating adult.

9:00am Kids/Family Fun Run (1 mile)- Take 1 to 2 laps around the Safari Park for a wild and family-friendly adventure!

There will also be a Virtual Option for those who cannot join us in person but would still like to exercise and help support the animals!

Each option price will increase by $5 one month prior to the Fall Safari Run so get your spots early!

Raffle and giveaway immediately follow the Safari Run. Awards will be given to the first 3 female and first 3 male finishers! Each Safari Run participant will receive one free raffle ticket and Safari Run medallion. Other raffle tickets can be purchased. Must be present for the raffle to win. Your registration for the Safari Run also includes admission to our Safari Drive-Thru after the event!

Please note - This is a fundraiser race and is not a timed race at this time. We encourage you to keep track of your own time with your watch

We cannot wait to see everyone for the Safari Run! Thank you for signing up!

Get ready for a spine-tingling race experience at the Running Scared 5K & 13K—where thrills, chills, and fast times collide!

Whether you’re brave enough to tackle the 5K or daring enough to conquer the 13K, this Halloween-themed event delivers a fun and festive atmosphere perfect for runners of all levels. Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed to impress (or frighten) as you take on a course filled with seasonal spirit.

We will gather at Rock Creek Park in Dawsonville, GA.

All athletes will receive a long-sleeve race shirt—perfect for those crisp fall mornings—and a custom finisher medal to commemorate their accomplishment.

For those looking to push their limits, take on the Deadly Double by completing both the 5K and the 13K. It’s the ultimate test of endurance and Halloween courage!

Competitive runners will have plenty to race for. Awards will be presented to the Top Three Male and Female Overall finishers in both the 5K and 13K, as well as the Top Three in Masters, Grand Masters, and Senior Masters Overall categories. In addition, the top three athletes in each of the traditional five-year age groups will receive awards in both race distances. For those taking on the Deadly Double, special recognition will be given to the Top Three Male and Female finishers who complete both races.

Whether you’re running for fun, fitness, or a frightfully good challenge, the Running Scared 5K & 13K is sure to be a hauntingly good time you won’t want to miss!

Event details and schedule

Regular Registration: (ends 10/10):

-5K: $35 (no shirt save $5)

-13K: $40 (no shirt save $5)

-Deadly Double: $60 (no shirt save $5)

-Virtual Races: $40

Late Registration: (ends 10/16):

-5K: $37.5 (no shirt save $5)

-13K: $42.5 (no shirt save $5)

-Deadly Double: $62.5 (no shirt save $5)

Race Day Registration:

-5K: $40 (no shirt save $5)

-13K: $45 (no shirt save $5)

-Deadly Double: $65 (no shirt save $5)

*All participants (Except No Shirt) registered by 10/07 are guaranteed race swag in your size. Afterwards it's while supplies last.

Awards & Goodies

Hoodie and sticker options available

We'll have awards as follows:

• Finisher Medals

• Top 3 Overall M/F

• Top 3 Overall Masters M/F

• Top 3 Overall Grand Masters M/F

• Top 3 Overall Sr. Grand Masters M/F

• Top 3 in each of the normal 5 year age groups 10 & Under through 75+.

Everyone will get a race shirt guaranteed in their size until 10/9

Special awards: Planning on dressing up? We'll have a prize for the best costume, so grab all your fancy, creative, funny costumes and put them on.

Course and Timing

Super Flat course inside Rock Creek Park...so it's super flat, family & spectator friendly!

The 5K course is Certified, so it's a great opportunity to get a PR or a great time for the Peachtree.

Click here for the 13K course map

Click here for the 5K course map

Water Stations

We will have Self-Serve water stations approximately every 1.5 miles. If you are wanting to run fast and not stop, you might want to bring your own personal hydration.

Pacing

Participants will need to finish with at least a 16 min/mile pace.

Groups & Teams

Running is more F-U-N together, even if we're far apart!

Grab your friends, co-workers, neighbors or family and participate as a TEAM. Your TEAM can be local or across the states; virtual participants will have their shirts shipped! Teams of 5 or more receive discounts off their registration, discounts below.

• 5+: $2.50 off

• 11+: $3.75 off

• 21+: $5 off

• 51+: $6.25 off

• 100+: $7.50 off

Grab some friends to run with you, and grab great swag!

Virtual Running - How it works and Link for Time Submission

Can't make it out to the event site on race day?

Still want to participate or support the cause and have a shot at an award? or maybe you saw the shirt and said: "Sweet...I want one!" Then the virtual race is for you. Run when & where you want, just submit your time by end of Race Day. We'll ship out virtual packages the Monday after event date! *Shipping available for continental US only.

New to Virtual Running? Here's how it works:

Step 1

Get excited, grab some friends and buddies to join you! Sign up and register for the Running Scared 5K or 13K Virtual!

Step 2

Download your Custom Digital Bib below! Hydrate, grab your buddy (or not) and get ready to get moving!

Step 3

Get out there and run or walk! You can run at the park, your favorite route in your neighborhood; anywhere you want. Please remember to be safe!

Step 4

HAVE FUN!~

Share your distance, a selfie, or a picture along your race route and use the hashtag #RunningScared5k13k #fivestarrunning

Step 5

Submit your results directly on RunSignUp.com

You can submit your race time HERE on the Virtual Results page anytime until 11:59 PM.

Step 6

View your Virtual Results HERE Monday after the Event Date.

Five Star Championships & Turkey Trot

All participants will automatically qualify for (1) FREE entry into one of the 2025 Five Star Thanksgiving Turkey Trots. See event website.

Top finishers will also have the opportunity to earn a spot in the Championships held in January 2026. The number of spots available is based on the total registration...see event website

Event Courtesy & Refund Policy

Our events are designed to be fun for the entire family. With that in mind; any competitor, spectator, parent, volunteer, or sponsor, exhibiting unsportsmanlike

conduct or interfering with the positive, competitive atmosphere of the event will be immediately disqualified, asked to leave the venue and course immediately with no refunds.

All registrations are final. There are no refunds, deferments, or transfers.

Event will take place rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather, we will cancel for the safety of the participants...there are no refunds in this case.

Participants that do not show up to race/event forfeit their right to any swag.

No COVID-19 Refunds. If unforeseen circumstances arise due to COVID-19, including any Federal or State Health Emergency, refunds will not be provided. The event will go 100% Virtual & shirts will be shipped to participants.

Packet Pickup

We always do packet pickup on race morning starting one hour prior to the start of the race. If we have an early pickup available, it will be added here.

The Mount Yonah Vertical Race

“Without mountains, we might find ourselves relieved that we can avoid the pain of the ascent, but we will forever miss the thrill of the summit. And in such a terribly scandalous trade-off, it is the absence of pain that becomes the thief of life.” —Craig D. Lounsbrough

Details

Join Team Summit for the third annual Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge weekend.

Participants will have FOUR options upon registration.

-5,000FT of climbing over 3 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 25km.

-10,000FT of climbing over 6 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 50km.

-Double UP - Race both events! Saturday and Sunday

-10,000FT 50k Relay - Grab a friend and tag-team Saturdays 10,000FT 50K! Runners may alternate ascents at their leisure.

Prizes provided by ALTRA Running.

This event sold out in 2024 and 2025! Register now and secure your spot.

The trail is technical and steep for the majority of the climb, with a few sections of scrambling required. As you get closer to the summit, the path becomes a dirt/gravel double-track leading to the top. There are #runnable sections of the trail depending on your skill level.

After-party hosted at NoFo Brew Co - 2 miles from the trailhead!

NEW FOR 2026

Saturday’s 50K will offer a 2-person relay! Bring a friend and tackle the distance together, alternating ascents at your leisure.

NEW FOR 2025!

This will become a two day race over Saturday and Sunday. The 50K will be held on Saturday and the 25K on Sunday.

Location

Yonah Mountain Trailhead

34.63721066176569, -83.72498145886013

Start/Finish will be in the main parking lot for Mt Yonah. This is a gravel lot with limited space, volunteers will direct participants on where to park. Please consider carpooling.

Schedule

Friday February 26th

530PM - Bib Pickup at NOFO Brew Co (Cleveland)

Saturday February 27th

630 AM - Bib Pickup available

8 AM - 10,000FT-50K Race Start

4 PM - Must have started final lap!

6 PM - Course closed

6 PM - After-party at NoFo Brew Co (2 miles away) and bib pickup for 25K

Sunday February 28th

730 AM - Bib Pickup available

9 AM - 5,000FT-25K Race Start

3 PM - Must have started final lap!

5 PM - Course closed

5 PM - After-party at NoFo Brew Co (2 miles away)

The Course

The race course follows the Yonah Mountain hiking trail up to the summit of the mountain. From there you will pass the overlook before returning down the mountain. The trail is runnable in some sections, rocky and rooty in others, and a few spots require scrambling over boulders. The race will start with a quick out and back on the gravel road leading to the trail-head, this is so runners will thin out before hitting the trail. Each time you return from your summit, you will repeat the same out and back, this is necessary to achieve the distance and vert advertised. You may encounter hikers on the course, so use caution and be courteous.

Strava Route

CUTOFFS

10 Hours for the 50K Saturday- You must be on your final summit attempt by 4PM!

8 Hours for the 25K Sunday - You must be on your final summit attempt by 3PM!

HIKING POLES

Allowed!

REQUIRED GEAR

-All Summit events are cup-less. All participants should carry a bottle, bladder, or collapsible cup at all times. Revolution Running Co is donating 150 reusable silicon cups to the event, ask for one during check-in!

-All participants should have a waterproof shell or jacket with them at all times.

-Adequate footwear - the trail is rocky, rooty, wet, muddy, icy, and everything in between. Be prepared.

*This is a mountain race that takes participants up and over 3000' above sea-level. The weather at the summit can feel drastically different from the trailhead. Do not leave the trail-head without the required gear on you at all times. There is no rescue or bail-out point near the summit, except by helicopter.

AID

A full aid station will be provided at the main trailhead, featuring Precision Fuel carb/electrolyte mix(60g of carb/1,000mg of sodium), along with everything else you’d expect including hot food, as well as GF and plant-based options. You will pass this after every loop (roughly every five miles).

There will be a water stop on course near the summit, you will pass it shortly before the summit and again on your way down. Volunteers will be at the mountain-top as well with emergency supplies as-needed, but only for emergencies.

CREWING

Due to limited space at the trailhead, personal pop-up tents/tables are not allowed. If needed, you may use your vehicle for a personal aid setup, being mindful of others visiting the park or participating in the event. Reminder that you will pass through the whole length of the parking area during each repeat.

Sorry, no pacers or crew allowed on the trail with participants.

WEATHER

Our team closely monitors the weather during race weekend and leading up to it for any adverse conditions. The Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge will be run "rain or shine", but could potentially be delayed or cancelled depending on the severity of any storms and with guidance from the USFS. Your safety and the safety of our crew and volunteers will always be our priority. If storms are expected, keep an eye on your email and our socials for any updates.