Bakersville's The Place To Be Each June!

The Annual Rhododendron 10K with 1 Mile Fun Run/Healthwalk is slated for the Saturday of the North Carolina Rhododendron Festival. Winding on a course through the streets of Bakersville, the run features scenic views of Roan Mountain, home of the famous Rhododendron Gardens, along with the cool mountain air of the early summer.

The Race Course

The Rhododendron Run course is a USA T&F-certified 10 kilometer course, and is sanctioned by the State of Franklin Track Club for King, Queen and Team of the Road Competition. It is considered to be moderately fast.

Questions?

Please contact the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce (telephone (828) 765-9483 or via their Website)

Get More Information

Find out details about this year's Run:

• General Information
  Get details on this year's race here.
  
  
• Race Records
  Get details on who holds Rhododendron Run race records.
  
  
• Registration & Directions
  Download our registration form for the Run.
  Don't know how to get to Bakersville? We'll help you out!
  
  
• Our Sister Races
  Mitchell County plays host to three major road races each year.
  Learn more here.

General Information (from 2005 Race)

Race Specifics

The Rhododendron Run will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the 1 mile Fun Run/Healthwalk, followed by the 10K event which starts at 8:30 a.m. Due to course limitations, walkers can participate in the Fun Run event only.

Both events will begin at Gouge School in Bakersville.

Entry Fees

For the 10K race

Registration is $12.00 if postmarked by June 11, 2005.

You can download our race registration form (in Adobe Acrobat PDF format) here.
Don't have Adobe Acrobat? It's a free download available here.

Race day registration is $15.00, and will be taken from 7:00-8:00 a.m.

State of Franklin Track Club Members receive a $1.00 discount.

For the 1 Mile Fun Run/Healthwalk

Registration is $8.00 if postmarked by June 11, 2005.

You can download our race registration form (in Adobe Acrobat PDF format) here.
Don't have Adobe Acrobat? It's a free download available here.

Race day registration is $10.00, and will be taken from 7:00-8:00 a.m.

THERE ARE NO REFUNDS.

Age Divisions

The Rhododendron Run holds competitions in the following age and competition categories:

10K Competition

• 10K Top 3 Male & Female
• 19 & Under
• 20-24
• 25-29
• 30-34
• 35-39
• 40-44
• 45-49
• 50-54
• 55-59
• 60-64
• 65 & Over

1 Mile Competition

• First Overall Male/Female
• 12 & Under
• Ribbons to All Finishers

T-Shirts and Other Items

All 10K participants will receive socks from Thorlo.

All pre-registered entrants will receive t-shirts on race day (while supplies last).

All 10K finishers will receive a free race photo.

Cash Prizes and Awards

The following cash awards will be given:

Open Male/Female

• FIRST PLACE: $200.00
• SECOND PLACE: $150.00
• THIRD PLACE: $100.00
• FOURTH PLACE: $50.00

Masters Male/Female

• FIRST PLACE: $100.00
• SECOND PLACE: $50.00

Grandmasters Male/Female

• FIRST PLACE: $50.00

Limitations for the Events

The following are strictly prohibited on the race course:

• Unregistered Runners
• Unauthorized Vehicles
• Rollerblades
• Baby Joggers/Strollers
• Wearing Headphones
• Running With Dogs

These are prohibited to ensure runner safety and comply with liability insurance requirements.

Facilities, Splits & Aid Stations

• Restrooms are available before and after the race. NO SHOWERS WILL BE AVAILABLE.
• Splits will be called at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 miles.
• Aid stations will be positioned near the 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 mile marks.

Race Records

The following records are held for the Rhododendron Run:

Open Class

• MALE: Thomas O'Gara 29:21 (1995)
• FEMALE: Monica O'Reilly 34:34 (1989)

Masters Class

• MALE: David Greer 32:51 (1995)
• FEMALE: Catherine Lempesis 38:23 (1992)

Grandmasters Class

• MALE: Terry Vannatta 35:57 (1996)
• FEMALE: Susie Kluttz 44:02 (1992)

Registration and Directions

Register for the Rhododendron Run! To sign up for the Run, please download our race registration form (in Adobe Acrobat PDF format) here. Fill in the form and return it to: Rhododendron 10K 3803 Fork Mountain Road Bakersville, NC 28705 Don't have Adobe Acrobat? If you don't have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, you won't be able to print out our registration form. But don't fret: Acrobat Reader is a free download available here.

Directions to Bakersville

Finding the Rhododendron Run isn't very hard. Here are directions to Bakersville from the surrounding region.

Care for a printed copy of the directions?

Download our race registration form (in Adobe Acrobat PDF format) here for a map and printed directions to the Rhododendron Run.

From Johnson City, Tennessee

• Take I-26 east from Johnson City. Exit onto Unicoi Road and turn right. Go 3/4 of a mile to Tennessee Route 107. Follow 107 to the North Carolina state line, where it becomes North Caroling Route 226. Follow 226 to Bakersville. Total Travel Time: 55 Minutes

From Marion, North Carolina

• Take North Carolina Route 226 north to Spruce Pine. Take a left at the light where 226 intersects with the U.S. Highway 19-E bypass in Spruce Pine. Then, turn right at the second light off the bypass and head to Bakersville. Total Travel Time: 45 Minutes

From Asheville, North Carolina

• Take US 19-23/I-26 west towards Johnson City, Tennessee. Take the U.S. 19 exit to Burnsville and Spruce Pine. Follow 19 and 19-E to Burnsville, where 19-E intersects with North Carolina Route 197. Turn left onto 197 and follow it to an intersection with North Carolina Route 226 in the Red Hill community. Turn right on to 226 and follow the route to Bakersville. Total Travel Time: 65 Minutes