6 swimming, running, fun run, and other events in Mount Holly, North Carolina

This will be a community wide 5K and fun run to benefit and support the Mount Holly Middle School PTO and Ida Rankin PTA.

Event Information: On March 21, 2026, the streets of Mt. Holly are about to be swarmed with the St. Patrick's Day themed attire. Get out your most fun and/or embarrassing, awe inspiring St. Patrick's garments and join us in downtown Mt. Holly. The Mount Holly Middle School and Rankin Elementary Shamrock Shuffle 5k and Leprechaun Leap 2K are produced through a collaboration of the Mount Holly Middle School PTO and Rankin Elementary PTA to raise funds to support the awesome students and staff at Mount Holly Middle School and Rankin Elementary. We would love to have you join us to support our PTO and PTA – feel free to hit the 5k or 2k course in as much green as you can find. Festive costuming or not, we can’t wait to see everyone’s smiling faces as they cross the Finish Line.

Registration:

Leprechaun Leap 2k: 18 and under & 70 and over : $10.00, 19 -69 $15.00

Shamrock Shuffle 5k: 18 and under& 70 and over $15.00, 19 - 69 $20.00

note: discount for 18 and under & 70 and over is automatically applied at checkout and registration increases for all levels by $5.00 on the day of the race.

Race Shirts: Participants must be registered by 3/8 to guarantee a shirt. After 3/8 shirts are not guaranteed for registrants.

Awards: The Shamrock Shuffle 5k is a timed event and our awards structure will be as follows: 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place for 8 and under, 11 and under, 12-14, 15-17, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34 (continuing in 5 year increments until 70), and 70 and over - Male and Female overall

The Leprechaun Leap 2k is an untimed event with no awards.

Early Packet pick up: Friday, March 20 from 3:00 - 4:00 at Rankin Elementary (301 W. Central Ave., Mt. Holly, NC 28120)

Morning of the event Packet pick up, Saturday, March 21:

2k: 8:00 - 8:30 am

5k: 8:00 - 8:45 am

Parking: Please park at Mt. Holly Middle School (124 S. Hawthorne St., Mt. Holly, NC 28120) and it will be a short walk across the street to the event.

Course notes: This course is run on public roadways in restricted lanes and sidewalks and does include some good hills! Strollers are welcome.

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.

This 10-mile swim follows the path of North Carolina’s devastating Great Flood of 1916 on the Catawba River. The storm's fierce blow prompted the construction of dams and, subsequently, the region's electrification. The race name is derived from news and film accounts of the event.

Unlike the epic conditions that sparked that historic event, you’ll enjoy a well-marked course in the Catawba River and mild conditions.You’ll pass 5 scenic bridges and railroad trestles. Safety is paramount with boat and kayak support. Shuttle service is included.