Arctic Dash

Coon Dog Day 2025 will be held in Saluda, NC on July 12th and the 5K will be better than ever!

PACKET PICKUP, Friday July 11: 🌭Free hotdog at packet pickup! Please pick up your race bib and tshirt at the Saluda Inn at 229 Greenville St., Saluda, 5-8 pm. Follow the packet pick-up signs.

SATURDAY MORNING, July 12: New Race Day Checkin Location- Looking Glass Realty at 108 East Main. St, beside the post office.

The start/finish line is on Main Street. Note: All registration will be online through the runsignup.com page. No paper forms for late/ walkup registration, so bring a phone. You can register until the race starts with a phone.

PARKING- 5K parking is available only until 9:30am at the First Baptist Church, the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration and Saluda United Methodist Church for the race only. If you want to stay for Coon Dog Day, please move your car out of those lots by 9:30am (the shuttle will bring you from the festival parking lot at that time). Parking is also available at the Saluda Elementary School back (bus) Parking Lot on Seminary Street (short walk to start line on Main Street) and there's no rush to leave the school lot.

The Coon Dog Day 5K is hosted by and is a fundraiser for Saluda Elementary School. The run begins in McCreery Park beside Main Street at 8am and follows the traditional Coon Dog Day 5k route.

T-shirts guaranteed if registered by Memorial Day, Monday May 26th.

Chip timing is back for the 5K for all participants to track their time for this annual festival run!

And new for 2025- Really Sweet🍯and Locally Made Awards 🐝! Award Categories: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.

The KIDS' Fun Run with clock timing and a new route for the kids is back.

Plan to stay for the daylong festival of crafts, food, music and quirky small town fun.

We sure do appreciate our 2025 Sponsors. We couldn't do this without our:

Top Dogs- Sandy Bee Mine Honey Company, Looking Glass Realty and Upland Orchard

Big Dogs- Don Mintz Builders. Saluda Outfitters, Mountain Sky Builders, Stepp Ditching, Adventure Cycles, Solstice Construction, Wakey Monkey, the Orchard Inn and the Saluda Inn.

Porch Pups- Jim Carson Gallery/Studio, Carolina Cottage Guest House and Kevin Burnett

Proceeds from the Coon Dog Day 5K and Kid’s Fun Run support Saluda Elementary School, with a primary focus on literacy and other educational resources that enhance teaching and student success.

It's Back!

The Slam the Dam 10K is back! As most of you know, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure were devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

While the area is slowly recovering, the Lake Lure Olympiad Committee is pleased to be able to bring back both the Slam the Dam 10K as well as the Race to the Rock 5K, as part of their "Race for Recovery" weekend. Unfortunately, the Lake Lure Triathlon will have to wait another year as the lake is still not up to proper standards for safe swimming.

NOTE: This is a difficult course with lots of elevation changes.

IT'S BACK!

The Race to the Rock 5K is back! As most of you know, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure were devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

While the area is slowly recovering, the Lake Lure Olympiad Committee is pleased to be able to bring back both the Race to the Rock 5K as well as the Slam the Dam 10K, as part of their "Race for Recovery" weekend. Unfortunately, the Lake Lure Triathlon will have to wait another year as the lake is still not up to proper standards for safe swimming.

If you're a veteran of the Race to the Rock 5K - welcome back! If you haven't done this race before, treat yourself to a challenging 5K course topped off by a spectacular finish at the top of Chimney Rock State Park with a stunning 75 Mile panoramic view of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.

All spectators and participants will need to exit the mountain after the race and awards.

Participants will be allowed, at no charge, back up on the mountain after the park reopens.

All trails will remain CLOSED until the park reopens.

🐎 Gallop Through the Trails at the Dark Horse Trail Race! 🌲

Giddy up, runners! The Dark Horse Trail Marathon & Half Marathon at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in beautiful Tryon, North Carolina is the perfect opportunity for you to feel the wind in your hair as you race through stunning trails set against the backdrop of rolling hills and lush forests 🏞️. Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or a newcomer, this race promises an unforgettable adventure through a unique blend of athleticism and the natural beauty that only the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains can offer 🌳.

Imagine galloping through wide dirt paths, winding your way through single-track trails, and trotting across grassy meadows 🌾. Along the way, you'll take in breathtaking views, and if you're lucky, you might spot a fellow horse galloping by as you run through the very grounds that host the world's grandest equestrian events 🏇. This is the place where nature and sport collide, creating a race day experience like no other. Whether you're chasing that marathon glory or just here for the half marathon fun, each step brings you closer to the heart of this magical, four-legged world.

After crossing the finish line, enjoy the post-race festivities alongside your fellow runners and equestrian fans 🎉. The Tryon International Equestrian Center is always buzzing with energy, and you can celebrate your victory with food 🍔, drinks 🍻, and live music 🎶 while taking in the beautiful atmosphere of this renowned venue. It’s not just about the race—it’s about connecting with the land, nature, and the incredible spirit of adventure 🐾.

Event Details

When: All Races Start at 8:00 AM ⏰

Where: Tryon Equestrian Center

Address: 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring, NC 28756 📍

Packet Pickup: Will be held at the Start/Finish Line starting 1 hour before your event 🏁.

Course Cutoff: For the marathon: Runners have 6 hours to complete but must start last lap before 5 hours

Parking: When you enter the Equestrian Center, stay to the left to enter the main gate 🏇. Let them know you're here for the race, and follow the driveway to the left, which will lead you to participant parking, right by the start/finish line next to the General Store 🚗

Amenities located within eye sight of the start/finish line

• Breakfast Diner 🍳

• Coffee Shop ☕

• Convenient Store 🛒

• Bars/Restaurants 🍽️

• Indoor Bathrooms 🚻

Course Map: Strava Course Map - HERE🗺️

The course consists of a 6.5-mile loop that meanders through the equestrian center with a mixture of wide packed dirt paths, single-track trails, and meadows 🐴. The course has 600 feet of elevation gain per loop, offering you a steady challenge as you gallop through this beautiful terrain 🏞️.

Aid Station

There is one aid station at the start and finish line 🏁.

You'll find pickles 🥒, cookies 🍪, chips 🥨, fig newtons, and pretzels 🥨.

Hydration will include water 💧, coke 🥤, and ginger ale 🥤.

Cup-less Event: Please bring your own hydration vessel for use at the aid station 🏅.

Feel free to donate any homemade snacks or supplies you'd like to see at the aid station 🍪.

Staging Area - Camping & Personal Aid Stations

We offer camping for participants and their crews during registration ⛺. There’s no water or power, but you'll have plenty of space to spread out next to the course and enjoy the serenity of nature 🌲. Drop bags can be placed at the start/finish line area 👜. Please label your drop bag with your name and bib number to ensure it’s waiting for you at the finish line when you’re done 🏁.

Don’t miss the chance to trot, gallop, and race through the scenic beauty of the Tryon Equestrian Center. This is your opportunity to experience the thrill of the Dark Horse Trail Race! 🏇🐴🌿

Gather your friends to run/walk the R-S Central High School Cross Country course. This two-lap course features mostly packed dirt or grass trails and has some paved sections. Runners start the race on the north end zone of the football field and head into the woods where they will wind their way through a canopy of foliage and fields until they return to the stadium for a finish on a beautiful track. This is a great 5k for runners, joggers, and walkers alike. Spectators will also love it because they will get to see and cheer you on multiple times throughout the race.