Four races in seven days, the Ghoul Goblin Challenge

 

Have they come to stay, all the costumed characters associated with Halloween? A quirk in the schedule has something very interesting — pronounced in–ter–res–ting — as Lurch from the Adams Family would say. By the way, its pretty obvious that Lurch was a runner. Tall, smart, soft spoken, quick from spot to spot and slim!

We usually have a couple of Halloween races locally. This year, Salisbury and Rowan County have no less than four Halloween races. Each one is different, but all are 5Ks. I’m excited about the possibilities of so many ghouls and goblins on the run. And moms and dads and everybody else who wants to join them.

First up is the Rotary Spooky Sprint 5K and ½ mile fun run at Catawba College on Sunday, Oct. 20.

This one has been around a while and is likely to have a competitive finish. The 5K is at 2 p.m. and the fun run follows for kids 12 and under. A costume contest follows. Race proceeds go to Rotary projects.

Next is the Overton Run for the Greenway 5K and half mile fun run on Thursday, Oct. 24 starting at 5:30 p.m. The race starts at Knox Middle School and finishes on the Knox track. The kids and staff at Overton use this for a fund raiser. A costume contest follows this one too.

The very next evening, Sacred Heart School has an All-Saints 5K on their own cross-country course. No pavement involved. There is no registration fee but donations are accepted. Post-race food and fun are scheduled and you guessed it, a costume contest! This one is still being planned but these folks know how to have a good event.

Finally, St. Matthews Church on Bringle Ferry Road has another good race on the country roads near the church. This one, believe it or not, has a costume contest! Proceeds go to help those in medical need. There is both a 5K and a fun run.

So, here is my idea. I once ran 52 races in the same year, just to see if I could do it. Another time, I ran four races in the same weekend, again just to see if I could do it. Both were experiences that I will never forget and were challenging.

Many of you have read that I love a challenge, so I am presenting one to our running and walking community — and anyone who wants to join in.

Come on out, walkers and runners, and make a week of getting some good exercise, learning more about some of the schools and churches in our area, and make some memories along the way.

Guaranteed, there will be lots of smiles and good times throughout the week. All of these events are open to any level of runner and walker and you will be welcomed by the organization putting it on. Expect to meet people and make new friends!

So to sum it all up: Four races in seven days, all 5Ks (3.1 miles) on safe courses. One trail run and three road courses. At least three fun runs. Shirts at three of the races which have small entry fees.

Donations accepted at Sacred Heart. Plenty of refreshments following. Complete results at three of the races and a clock running at the finish for the fourth to get your time.

I could do another column on how much fun this week will be. I plan to be at all the races and will welcome you to the finish. The Salisbury Rowan Runners are providing a drawing for $100 for each male and female who complete all four races. One lucky male and female of any age will take home the money in the Ghoul Goblin 5K Challenge. All who complete the challenge will get a special shirt.

For more info on these and all four races, check www.salisburyrowanrunners.org or call 704-310-6741 or 704-202-6601.