Lake Junaluska – Writers Who Run will hold its 5th annual foot race, the Writers Who Run 5k Race For Literacy. The race will be held on July 15, 2023, at Lake Junaluska in Waynesville, NC. The race features a mostly flat course with a few hills that meanders around the lake on paved walking trails. Spectators will be able to watch the race from park benches located around the lake or cheer people on at the start/finish line or volunteer as a course marshal to encourage people at a more up close and personal level.
Event Details: Writers Who Run 5k Race For Literacy
Who: Writers Who Run with literacy partner, Read2Succeed Asheville/Buncombe
What: 5th annual race for runners ages 10 and up
When: Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Where: Nanci Weldon Gym on N. Lakeshore Dr will be the start/finish for the race
Race Purpose: Promoting Literacy and Book Donations
Why: to raise money to help promote literacy because every person on the planet deserves to know how to read. We also collect books to donate to a different literacy partner every year to reach more people in different locations. This year’s Literacy Partner is Read2Succeed Asheville/Buncombe. They are requesting book donations that feature Black main characters and/or authors. Please bring new or gently used books published within the last 10 years appropriate for children ages 5-17. You can donate the books at the race packet pickup location and/or at the Nanci Weldon Gym on race day morning.
Race Venue and Prizes
Why we chose this venue: a mostly flat course in a beautiful location with stunning views, conveniently located close to Asheville and several mountain towns
Race Prizes:
– TWO 4-pack self-guided rafting tours from Dillsboro River Company
– TWO duffle bags from Elite Sports
– TWO digital watch, pedometer, heart rate, and calorie counters from Smart Band
– A 6-pack of Athletic Body Wipes from ShowerPill
– A $25 gift certificate for the Lake Junaluska Gifts & Grounds Shop
– And more!
Additional Race Information
Other tidbits:
– 7:30 AM start time for cooler temps in July
– awards ceremony for 5k
– Race will be held rain or shine
– Strollers allowed for 5k distance only and must line up in the back
– RACE CAPS: 200 for 5k
– Deadline to register is Thursday, July 13th
– NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION
– Goal: 300 racers and $1,500 in donations for Read2Succeed
Race History and Contact Information
Race history:
– In 2016 and 2017, it was a 10k trail race at Fontana Dam.
– 2018 – We added a 5k component and moved the race to the flat paved area at the base of the dam. We collected over 200 books to donate to our literacy sponsor, the Burke County Literacy Council.
– 2019 – We moved across state lines and held the 5k/10k race in Dillard, GA and had close to 100 racers.
– 2020-2022 – no race due to COVID
– 2023 – it’s BACK at a NEW location in NC again. Lake Junaluska!
Tickets are on sale now through Thursday, June 13, 2023. This is a capped race with only 200 spots for the 5k. A portion of the profits will be donated to fight illiteracy, through the charity, Read2Succeed in Asheville/Buncombe. “This is the first time the race will be held since pre-Covid,” Christie Wild, Race Coordinator said. “Our goal is to raise at least $1,500, which provides for reading instruction, books, local tutors, and so much more.”
Contact information is Christie Wild, who can be reached at 828-243-0927 or authorcwild@gmail.com.