Fausett Farms Sunflower 5K

Piedmont Mountainside Thrive 5k for Breast Cancer

Join us to walk, jog, or run at this year’s Piedmont Mountainside Thrive 5k for Breast Cancer, presented by Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers – Jasper! Step by step, you can help us make a difference in every life we touch and provide high-quality cancer care right here in our community. Last year’s Thrive 5k enabled Piedmont Mountainside to provide preoperative teaching to breast cancer patients to prepare them for surgery and treatment. Additionally, we were also able to provide post-surgery therapy to reduce the residual effects of treatment.

Proceeds from this year’s Thrive 5k will support Piedmont Mountainside’s priority breast cancer initiatives and services, including pre- and post-treatment patient education, lymphedema prevention, and programming for high-risk breast cancer patients.

Piedmont Mountainside is a 76-bed, not-for-profit hospital located in the foothills of the north Georgia mountains, dedicated to delivering outstanding medical care to the residents of Pickens County and surrounding communities.

We provide 24-hour emergency services, intensive care and a range of medical, surgical and diagnostic services.

As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit healthcare system, Piedmont relies on the generosity of donors to make many of our programs possible. The fact is, every patient who visits a Piedmont facility is touched by our donors, whose support makes it possible to buy new equipment, improve facilities, and expand research and education programs.

Event Information:

This event is rain or shine.

• 1:00 PM Check-In/Day of Registration

• 2:00 PM Opening Ceremonies/Trot Begins

• 4:00 PM Event Concludes

To view the course for this 5k, click here.

For your safety, please stay on the sidewalk or crosswalk areas. Watch for cars. In the event an air ambulance needs to land, a temporary, alternate path will be established.

Registration:

• Race Entry + Shirt $35 (ages 12+ must register to participate, children under 12 are welcome at no cost)

• Shirt Only $25

*Shirt sizes are guaranteed if registered by Friday, March 27, 2026.

Online registration closes on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Walk-up registration will be available at the event.

INCLUDES

– Bike Transport from Green Bay to Dawsonville & back

– 4 Nights at Top of the line Air BNB

– Monday & Friday Airport Transit as needed

– Breakfast Tuesday-Friday

– Lunch Monday-Friday

– Dinner Monday-Thursday

– Ride/Run Leaders max 6:1 ratio

– Roving Sag & transport to workouts

– Aide Stations stocked with sports drinks, Gels, Bars, Cola, & Water

– Coached technical sessions

– Pool access & GPS files for all workouts

ITINERARY - Will be custom built for the club.

Bike Pick up will be Friday April 10 (most likely at Petes Garage)

Camp will begin 11am on Monday

Camp will conclude 4pm on Friday

Bike Return will be on Monday April 20 (most likely at Petes Garage)

The minimum number of participants for camp to occur is 9 participants.

Pricing is $1850 for 9-10 participants.

Additional Participant Pricing

11 participants - Each participant will receive a $75 discount

12 participants - Each participant will receive a $150 discount

(ie 12 participants effective pricing becomes $1700)

We are running in honor of Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty and raising funds to build a Fallen Officer Memorial on the University of North Georgia-Dahlonega Campus. This Memorial will have the names of the killed in the line of duty officers who graduated from UNG or worked for the UNG Police Department. The race will take place on the UNG Dahlonega Campus.

RIP:

OFC Edgar Flores, Dekalb County Police, EOW December, 13, 2018

TFC Chase W. Redner, Georgia State Patrol, EOW February 20, 2024

Now about the race! The 5k race is on the beautiful campus of UNG Dahlonega. The course is 2-laps with a return to the start/finish line, around a magnificent fountain for lap number 2. The course boasts approximately 400 feet of gain. The last .25+ miles is a VERY fast gradual downhill into the finish line. A water station will be present at the round-about prior to starting lap number 2. Half of the laps are on a walkway and the other half is on the road. Come and get a PR!

The race is welcome to runners and walkers. The race has a 1-hour time limit. This is approximately 20 min/mile. Course support and timing will not be provided for those not completing the course in 1-hour. Strollers will not be permitted on the course due to safety barriers present on the course. Dogs will not be permitted on the course due to some of the narrow walkways to ensure everyone is safe. Headphones are permitted but play at a low volume, so you can hear other runners and race officials.

There is no race day registration. Registration closes on April 11, 2026 at 11:59pm.

What is new this year?

We have added a team event. The teams will comprise of 5 runners. All 5 runners must finish to qualify as a team. The team with the lowest/fastest cumulative will be the top team. The team division is open to civilian and LE participants.

Packet Pick Up:

Packet Pick-Up will be from 6:30am-7:50am at the start/finish line. The race starts at 8am sharp with the firing of the cannon.

Parking:

Parking will not be available at the start/finish line. There will be plenty of street parking/parking lot within close proximity to the start/finish line. Do not enter the main entrance to the campus unless you are highly skilled at backing up.

Awards:

All finishers within the 1-hour time period will receive a finisher's medal.

The 1st-3rd place Male and Female overall will receive an award.

The 1st-3rd place Male and Female overall retired/active LE will receive an award.

1st place to top team of 5.

Course Records:

(M) Billy Doran, 20:09.95

(F) Zandy Gonzalez, 26:19.10

Refunds:

The race entry fee is not refundable and not transferable.

The Light Up the Night 5K is more than just a race—it’s a chance for the community to come together in support of one of its own. Join us as we Light Up the Night for Captain Shane Henson, a dedicated member of the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office who has faithfully served the community for more than 30 years.

Captain Henson, a pillar of the Dawson County community, was involved in a serious automobile accident over the weekend of March 6–8, 2026. He has already undergone one extensive surgery and is currently undergoing a second surgery at the time this event is being announced.

To support the Henson family during this life-altering time, the Dawson County Parks and Recreation Department invites the entire community to come out for the Light Up the Night 5K. Whether you run, walk, or simply come out to show your support, this event is an opportunity for friends, neighbors, and supporters to stand together and help lift up the Henson family.

Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in the usual five-year age groups, starting with 10 & Under.

Bring your friends, family, and plenty of encouragement as we light up the night with community spirit, support, and hope. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for Captain Henson and his family.