A race with heart

Valentine 5K & Kids Fun Run returns to Lake Tomahawk

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
February 4, 2022

The Valentine 5K, hosted by the Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department, will return to Lake Tomahawk, Saturday, Feb. 12. Image courtesy of BMRP

If Valentine’s Day is an occasion to spend a romantic evening with someone special, then the return of an annual tradition at Lake Tomahawk in the days leading up to it represents an opportunity for runners to celebrate their love for the trails. 

The Valentine 5K & Kids Fun Run, hosted by the Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department and sponsored by State Farm Agent Jerry Morris, will return for its 23rd year at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 12. Fifty percent of the money raised through registration fees will benefit the Black Mountain Home for Children. 

Runners can register for both races on the Valentine 5K page on runsignup.com, or onsite, between 8 - 9:30 a.m. Registration for the fun run, open to children ages 5-13, is free, while participants in the 5K must pay a $25 fee. 

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the half-mile fun run, which follows the Lake Tomahawk Loop greenway around the body of water from which it takes its name. The Valentine 5K, which is open to two-person teams or solo runners, gets underway at 10 a.m.

Married couples can compete in one of five age-based categories. The Silver division features couples with a combined age of 80 and under; Gold for 81-99; Platinum for 100 - 119; Titanium for 120 - 139 and Diamond for 140 & over. Any two people can participate as a team, and are not required to run together. Scoring is based on combined times. 

Individual awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers from age groups 12 and under to 80 and over. First place finishers will receive a pair of shoes, valued at $140, from Mountain Running Co. The second place prize is a $75 gift card to Mountain Running Co., which has locations in Black Mountain, Asheville and Boone. Third place finishers will earn a $50 gift card to Take a Hike Outfitters. 

Runners are encouraged to dress for the occasion, and a Spirit Award will be given to the solo competitor with the most Valentine spirit, at the conclusion of the race. 

Following a virtual 5K in 2021, this year will mark the event’s return to Lake Tomahawk, where it starts and finishes. Runners will begin the race by heading east on Laurel Circle Drive, turning north onto Montreat Road toward South Cotton Avenue. The route will bring participants south along Flat Creek Road to the Village Way greenway connector to First Street. Once back at the park, runners will finish the race with a lap around Lake Tomahawk. 

Early packet pick-up is available for registered runners from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Friday Feb. 11. In the event of inclement weather on race day, the event will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 13.