4 events in Polk County, North Carolina
From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find 5k events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Polk County
4 events in Polk County-
Sat, Apr 11, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
UltiMutt Race 2026: Saturday, April 11 @ Tryon Resort, Mill Spring, NC.
Celebrate our ancient friendship with dogs while building a bond with your dog that will last a lifetime!
UltiMutt Race & Noble Dog Fest, (sponsored by Noble Dog Hotel & Lodge, ) is a 5k obstacle race & festival designed by canine agility & fitness pros to challenge a dog & owner team over 17+ obstacles at your pace with our Competitive & Fun Run options!
Running UltiMutt = Saving Lives! 10% race fees & 100% donations are given to Greenville County Animal Care, the largest open intake shelter in the Carolinas!
Start Line Description: Dogs are separated by barriers in 3 lanes, 3 runners start every 30 sec intervals to eliminate crowding/bottlenecking on the course. Event is fully outdoors with ample space to distance.
Noble Dog Fest: Saturday 9am-2pm: (free admission for the whole family, including the family dog!)
-Food & Beverage Trucks
-Noble Nessie's Craft Biergarten
-Music & Champion Awards Ceremony
-Vendor Village 20+ local shops!
-Photo Booths & Pup Caricatures
Pre-Register for Festival Activities: Here
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Paint ur Pet Workshop, led by Jessica Brush
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Try it! Dog Yoga, led by Deb of Sunbelly Cafe
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Try it! SwiftPaws Lure Coursing
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Try it! WCERA Canine Escape Room
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Try it! Canine Conditioning/Agility
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Try it! Herding Instict Tests with On the Lamb
Other Activities:
Dogs & Drinks Mixer: Friday, April 10 @ 6pm @ Silver Spoon Saloon (onsite)
9am-2pm: Mutts & Monsters Disc Dog Demos & Club Intro w/ Lucas Croft
9am-2pm: NACC Canicross Harness/Gear Fittings - Drop-In
LODGING: To make these reservations & receive the discounted rate, must CALL: 828-863-1103.
Make UltiMutt Race your weekend getaway! Tryon Resort features 1,600 acres of nature trails, 6 onsite restaurants, 20+ boutique shops, family entertainment, and more!
The property features a variety of onsite lodging options:
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50 tent camping spaces-dry - Available NOW until sold out!
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RV park spaces
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UltiMutt Discount: 10% Off, 2 night minimum stay, pet fees waived for: 1-5 bedroom Cabins, Overmountain Lodge, Stablehouse Inn
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To Book Discounted Rates, Must CALL: 828-863-1103 & mention you're an "UltiMutt Guest"
See Nearby Hotels, AirBnBs, Glampgrounds/Campgrounds, etc. --> Link to Google Nearby Hotels:
-4 Paws Kingdom & Dog Campground-15 miles
-Emberglow Outdoor Resort - 7.8 miles
-Town & Country Inn Suites-Spindale - 9 miles
-Hampton Inn & Suites – 15 miles
Event Pricing
*Discounts for children under 15, first responders/military, & for referring 2 friends who register with your code.
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$85 -Currently 25% Off final price
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Increases to $95 when spots run out.
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Increases to $115 on race day.
(Free Parking onsite)
What do I get when I run the UltiMutt Race?
Finishers Receive: Sponsored Race Photos, Commemorative Finisher medal, collectible iron-on patch unique to the year, & access to Noble Dog Fest!
Race Options
- Competitive Wave: (30 squats to skip/fail an obstacle)
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Awarded: Alpha Male & Alpha Female w/ Large Dog (36+ lbs.)
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Awarded: Alpha Male & Alpha Female w/ Small Dog (up to 35lbs.)
- Fun Run Wave: (can skip any obstacle)
- Non-Timed 5k Fun Run/Walk!
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Sat, Jul 11, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
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.
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Sat, Nov 14, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
After extensive damage to our former venue, Outreach has selected Tryon International for our 14th annual “Run for Outreach” fundraising event, the Tryon Half Marathon and Fall for the Foothills 5K.
Brought to you by our longtime partner Ashworth Financial, this exciting new off-road race offers an invigorating experience at one of the country’s premier equestrian venues. Spanning over 1,600 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tryon International is home to world-class arenas, stables, and riding trails, many of which serve as the backdrop for the course. This one of a kind trail run blends the energy of a working equestrian center with the stillness of nature in late fall and offers a truly immersive off-road experience.