Events
5k Kids Dash
Description
We’re thrilled to have you join us in the beautiful mountain town of SprucePine,NC, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 9 AM, with packet pickup starting at 7:30 AM on Lower Street (163 LocustSt) at the Pocket Park. Whether you're a seasoned runner or out for a scenic stroll, your participation supports a heartfelt mission: All proceeds support the Town of Spruce Pine’s efforts to rebuild Riverside Park—a once-vibrant community space featuring a playground, splash pad, ball field, amphitheater, community garden, and riverside walking path that were all destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
Our Mission through this Race is threefold:
- Remembering what our community went through and honor those we lost.
- Celebrating the resilience and progress we’ve made through working together and with the help of wonderful volunteers from all over the United States.
- Encouraging hope and collective action for brighter days ahead Please consider supporting us for a meaningful 5K run (or walk), knowing each step contributes to restoring a beloved community space. Together, we can rebuild Riverside Park and nurture hope for our town’s future.
5k Course Map
Place
Spruce Pine, NC US 28777
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
About Run For The Hills 5k
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, unleashing torrential rain, powerful winds, and catastrophic flooding. In Mitchell County—particularly in Spruce Pine—this historic storm wrought havoc. The Toe River surged over thirty feet, inundating Lower Street and its businesses leaving them buried in mud and debris. The beloved Riverside Park, once a thriving community gathering space, was utterly destroyed—its playground, splash pad, baseball field, gardens, amphitheater, and scenic river trail all laid to waste. Amid the devastation hope emerged. Neighbors, churches, organizations and volunteers from all over came to help our beautiful area dig out, clean up and rebuild. Although recovery efforts are still ongoing, the park’s restoration remains a long journey ahead.
Questioning how she could make a difference, local runner and Florida transplant, Birgit Smith, was moved to act. Inspired by her love for this mountain community and her passion for running, she envisioned a commemorative race on the storm’s anniversary—RunForTheHills5K. By partnering with her church, The Bridge Church, Spruce Pine, who encouraged and supported her motivational fundraiser idea, this was made possible. This event isn’t just about logging miles; it’s about: Remembering, Celebrating and Encouraging our community.
Join us in this meaningful run (or walk) to honor our past and support the future— raising funds to help the Town of Spruce Pine restore Riverside Park so that we and our future generation can come together again to play, to laugh and to enjoy this beautiful spot in the heart of town!
Event Host
The Bridge Church is a vibrant, multi‑generational congregation nestled in the heart of downtown Spruce Pine, NC—and it’s also Birgit Smith’s home church. We’re honored to serve as the official host of Run For The Hills 5K and look forward to blessing our community through this meaningful event.
