Happy Valentine's (race) Day!

Hundreds of runners descend on Lake Tomahawk for Valentine 5K

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
February 12, 2022

Love and beautiful weather were in the air at Lake Tomahawk, Feb. 12, as approximately 250 runners showed up to participate in the 23rd annual Valentine 5K.

The race, which is hosted by the Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department and sponsored by Black Mountain State Farm insurance agent Jerry Morris, returned from its virtual format in 2021 to its traditional setting on local trails and sidewalks. Half of the money raised through registration will go to the Black Mountain Home for Children.

The event began at 9:30 a.m., with a half-mile kids fun run around the lake. The 5K got underway at 10 a.m., as 205 runners lined up on Laurel Circle Drive. The route took runners east to Montreat Road, which led north to East Cotton Avenue. The race traveled along Flat Creek Road to the Village Way Greenway, connecting to First Street. The homestretch brought runners back to the lake, where they finished with a final lap.

Warren Wilson College senior Eric Vanderford, who set a record for the Swannanoa college’s cross country team in October, was the top finisher with a time of 17:18.3. Owen High School junior Elijah Jones, who placed fifth in the Feb. 11 NCHSAA 1A/2A Indoor State Championship, finished second, with a time of 18:00.3. Owen graduate and current Warren Wilson freshman and cross country runner, Trevor Nail, rounded out the top three with a time of 18:21.7.

Miriam Kadens, a senior at Warren Wilson and member of the Owls cross country team, was the top finisher among the women, with a time of 22.22.7. She was followed closely by Valerie Gortmaker, who crossed the finish line in 22.28.5. Abigail Hart rounded out the top three women finishers with a time of 22:49.4.

Vanderford and Kadens each received running shoes, valued at $140, from Mountain Running Co., while the second place finishers among men and women were given $75 gift cards to the running store. Third place runners earned a $50 gift card to Take A Hike Outfitters.

Awards were also given to the top finishers in each age group, and to couples who registered as teams. Participants had the option of entering the race with their significant other, family or friends. Additional prizes were awarded to the runners wearing the best Valentine’s Day-themed costumes.

Pictures from the 2022 Valentine 5K can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.