Charlotte Open Water Championship 2026

2026 is our 22nd Anniversary for the Belmont Classic 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk.

The Belmont Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association (BCPAAA) has hosted the Annual Belmont Classic 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk since 2004. The Belmont Classic 5K is a road race open to all ages and is digitally timed on a certified course. Whether you walk or run, it is great fun for all who participate.

The 5K race can be run in-person only. ALL runners, should register by April 1st if they desire a race t-shirt. After April 1st, we will NOT have t-shirts available for registrants.

Race packet pickup will be on Thursday, April 16 and Friday, April 17, 12p-6p at the Belmont Police Department and prior to the race on Saturday, April 18 (before 7:45am), but remember NO t-shirts for anyone registering after April 1st.

Purpose of our event:

Funds raised are used to purchase items for the police department that are not normally covered under their regular operating budget.

Parking: Event Parking will be in the vacant field on Chronicle Street adjacent to the police department and will be directed by officers.

Cost of 5K:

Adults and kids aged 13 and up: $35 until 11:59pm EDT April 1, 2026, after no t-shirt will be provided and cost will be $25

Kids 12 and under: $30 until 11:59pm EDT April 1, 2026 after no t-shirt will be provided and cost will be $20

Cost of 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk:

Adults and kids aged 13 and up: $25 until 11:59pm EDT April 1, 2026, after no t-shirt will be provided and cost will be $15

Kids 12 and under: $20 if registered by April 1, 2026 until 11:59pm, after no t-shirt will be provided and cost will be $10

The 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk will start at the finish of the 5K. You are welcome to bring your dog on this walk with you (dogs must be on a leash at all times).

For ALL Discounts: Please get in touch with Ken Taylor via email at Belmont5k@gmail.com. Registration codes for discounts are available for Families of 4+; Race Teams of 10+; Law Enforcement Officers, and others.

Award Structure is as follows: Top 3 male and female overall, Top 3 male and female 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59. 60-69, 70+ and Baby Jogger.

Finish Well Timing will professionally time the 5K.

More Information: For questions, please email us at Belmont5k@gmail.com or call Ken Taylor at 704-564-9530

NOTE: Given this is a non-profit event, and expenses are automatically incurred with each registration, NO REFUNDS will be issued except in the event of cancellation due to severe weather. Thank you for your understanding.

River Hawk Races 2026

Saturday, April 18, 2026

The Mount Holly Community Development Foundation is excited to introduce the River Hawk Races where the powerful strength of the Catawba River have inspired us to revamp our Mount Holly 5K/10K. As we reimagine the limits of how far we can soar, join us in celebrating our city's connection to nature with the flow of Mount Holly's greenway along the Catawba River.

Whether you are ready to break your personal best, running for your health, or just want to have fun we invite you to join the fearless spirit of the hawk and fly across the finish line. With our wings spread we are proud to join you in the currents that will continue to carry us toward greater horizons.

Race Times

Tailrace 10k - 9:00am

Greenway 5k - 9:15am

Kid Tadpole Dash - 10:15am

Awards will be given to the top three female and male participants, along with top three male and female runners of each division:

14 and under | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70 and Over.

T-shirt included with 5k/10k registration.

(See design on registration page.)

O'CRUD

Saturday, May 2, 2026

The O'CRUD (Open-water Catawba River Up and Down) race on Saturday, May 2nd will have two distance options. Both start and finish at the Mount Holly Boat Landing in Mount Holly, NC. The 2.4-mile 10K distances will both have an in-water, treading start. Participants will swim upstream for half the distance of each race before turning to head back downstream to the finish at the boat landing.

This race is the 2026 kickoff of the Charlotte Open Water Swim Series. The series consists of the O’CRUD, the Hell or High Water Swim, the Mt. Holly Mile and the Charlotte Open Water Championship.

What: O’CRUD open water race

When: Sat., May 2, 2026

10K starts at 8:00 AM

2.4 Mile starts at 8:05 AM

Where: Mount Holly Boat Landing, 724 Elm Ave., Mount Holly, NC

Cost:

10K - $175

2.4 Mile - $85

Please note: 10K swimmers must be accompanied by a kayak escort. If swimmers cannot provide their own escort, they can arrange for a kayaker and/or kayak on the registration page.

Experience Historic Cramerton at our Goat Island Games 5 Mile and 5K!

When May 2, 2026

5 mile - 8:30 AM

5K- 8:40 AM

Start/Finish

Line Location Goat Island Park and Greenway

141 8th Avenue, Cramerton, NC 28032

Distances Offered 5K - This event is chip timed. You can walk or run the 5K. There is a 1 hour and 5 minute cutoff time (21.5 minutes per mile pace.)

5 mile - This event is chip timed. There is a 1 hour and 15 minute cutoff time (15 minutes per mile pace.)

5K Divisions and Awards

Awards will be handed out to the:

• Top three overall male and female finishers

• Top three male and female finishers in the following age groups:

14 & under | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70+

5 Mile Divisions and Awards

Awards will be handed out to the:

• Top three overall male and female finishers

• Top three male and female finishers in the following age groups:

19 and under | 20 - 29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-69 | 70+

Welcome to the Goat Island Games 🐐

Get ready to experience everything that makes Cramerton incredible—on foot!

The Goat Island Games start and finish at Goat Island Park, a stunning 30-acre park nestled in the South Fork Catawba River. The course takes runners on a scenic tour through Downtown Cramerton, past the Veterans Memorial, through Stuart Cramer High School’s state-of-the-art campus, and alongside views of the iconic train trestle. You’ll crest the course near a one-of-a-kind public art sculpture before heading through the Lakewood Neighborhood and crossing the finish line back at Goat Island.

Celebrating America 250🎆

This year’s race is extra special as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary! Our famous Goat Island goat will be decked out in red, white, and blue attire, and we’re encouraging runners to join the fun by wearing their patriotic attire on race day. We are proud to be an official Gaston 250 event!

• USATF-Certified 5K Course

• USATF-Certified 5 Mile Course

• Part of the Run Gaston Race Series

• 70+ age group for both the 5K and 5 Mile race

Race History

The Goat Island Games began in 2016 and expanded in 2018 to include a 5K, later adding a 5-Miler—giving runners even more ways to participate.

Post-Race Festival

Stick around after you cross the finish line to enjoy:

• Hydration and snacks

• Music

• Vendor booths by local organizations

• Recovery workouts

Registration Includes

• Chip-timed race bib

• Official race shirt

• Awards for overall and age-group winners

• A whole lot of fun in Cramerton, NC

Shirt Guarantee Deadline:

Register by Monday, April 13 to be guaranteed a race shirt. Shirts are ordered based on the size selected during online registration and cannot be exchanged.

Race is rain or shine. Registration fees are non-refundable.

Packet Pickups

Friday, May 1st

12:00 - 3:00 PM

Town of Cramerton C.B. Huss Recreation Center

8 Julian St, Cramerton, NC 28032

5:00 - 7:00 PM

Confluence South Fork

117 Center St, Cramerton, NC 28032

Saturday, May 2nd

7:30 - 8:15 AM

Start/Finish Line