3 running events in Jackson County, North Carolina

The Hope & Grace 5K was created to support Taylor—a devoted wife, loving mother, and Western Carolina University alumna—who is currently battling Grade 4 brain cancer. Taylor and her husband, Andrew, are raising their two daughters, Finley Grace and Hadley Hope, whose names inspired the heart of this race.

This event exists to come alongside Taylor and her family during this season. Our goal is to cover race expenses through sponsorships so that 100% of race proceeds go directly to supporting Taylor and her family.

When you participate in the Hope & Grace 5K, you are running for faith, family, hope, and grace—you are Running for Taylor.

ALL ENTRANTS receive a ticket to WCU Baseball vs Samford at 1:00 pm on Sunday, the 22nd!

The 2026 Catamount Climb Half Marathon and 5K will be hosted on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC along the banks of the Tuckasegee River. The 5K course is completely on campus and navigates through the heart of campus with moderate elevation change. The half marathon course starts on campus, and then heads off campus for a few miles before returning back to campus for the finish line.

The Catamount Climb Half Marathon and 5K (formerly known as Valley of the Lilies) is hosted by the Western Carolina University School of Health Sciences and the Department of Campus Recreation & Wellness. All race proceeds go to support student professional development and academic scholarships.

Race Packets

Each registered participant will receive a race packet that includes a race t-shirt, a race bib, and various coupons and other sponsorship materials. Finisher Medals will be given to all half-marathon finishers as well.

Packet Pick Up will occur the day before the race on April 10th, 2026 3pm-7pm at the WCU Campus Recreation Center, and the morning of the race on April 11th, 2026 6:30am - 7:30am at the WCU Campus Recreation Center.

Awards

Each registered participant will receive a race packet that includes a race t-shirt, a race bib, and various coupons and other sponsorship materials.

Half Marathon

Finisher medals are awarded to all half marathon finishers. Awards, which are custom placing medals, are given to the overall male and female winner, overall master's male and female winner, as well as the top three male and female in each age group: 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

5K

Awards, which are custom medals, are given to the overall male and female winner, overall master's male and female winner, as well as the top three male and female in each age group: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

Greening Up the Mountains Annual 5k will be held, Saturday, April 25th, 2026

8:00am Registration

9:00am Race Starts!

10:00am Awards Ceremony

Mark Watson Park

86 Mark Watson Park

Sylva, NC 28779

All Proceeds support the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department!

Awards:

OVERALL MALE and FEMALE

Top 3 in each age group! 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

Course:

Course begins at Mark Watson Park in downtown Sylva, crosses Business 23 onto Old Dillsboro Road, loops into Monteith Park and returns on the same route back to Mark Watson Park. This is a relatively flat course with both paved and graveled road sections.

Shirts guaranteed to first 150 to register and available on race day until we run out.