Rock the Quarry goes the scenic route
Annual fundraiser supporting Black Mountain Home for Children and Asheville Museum of Science unveils new course in 15th year
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 16, 2023
If a course featuring rocky terrain, wooded trails, tall green grass and a covered bridge proved insufficient to take the breath away from runners in the 15th Annual Rock the Quarry Trail Challenge 5K & Kids Fun Run, Sept. 16, then the views around them may have.
The event, hosted by Grove Stone & Sand and parent company Hedrick Industries, brought hundreds of runners and sponsors together to raise money for neighboring Black Mountain Home for Children and the Asheville Museum of Science.
Organizers unveiled a new course that included part of the campus of BMH, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in the Swannanoa Valley this year. The 5K began at the nonprofit organization and entered the adjacent Grove Stone quarry plant, as runners passed panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
“The purpose of this race, when we did it 15 years ago and like 15 people showed up that year, was to show off our beautiful property and unique business, said Hedrick Industries President Joe Lordi. “We wanted to invite the community in some way. This year is the first year we’ve incorporated the BMH campus into the race, and we think that ties the ministry of the home to the mission of the race.”
BMH was initially established as an orphanage in Haywood County in 1904, before moving to its current location in 1923. Today, the home remains a private nonprofit organization that cares for children who have been removed from their homes, due to an unsafe environment.
“We are so excited to have the opportunity to host Rock the Quarry on our beautiful campus,” BMH Program Director Elodie Covert said, as she addressed the crowd after the race. “We are grateful for Grove Stone, because they are wonderful neighbors and a fantastic partner in ministry.”
AMOS is “honored” to receive the support of the race, executive director Amanda Bryant told runners after the race.
“We couldn’t do the work we do without them, and our other supporters,” she said. “We are rooted and founded in geology, and we expanded from there into the earth sciences. We love providing STEM and science education, and we serve all of WNC, but of course we’re rooted right here in Buncombe County. We really appreciate the support that allows us to continue that outreach.”
Judah Hill, a 13-year-old runner from Asheville, was the top finisher in the 5K, with a time of 18:59. He was followed by Joe Connor of Candler and Luke Hall of Swannanoa. Megan Price, of Simpsonville, was the top female finisher, completing the race in 22:59. Brittany Neumann, of Asheville finished second, while Black Mountain resident Amanda Ley rounded out the top three female finishers.
The trail race was preceded by the Kids Fun Run, which featured dozens of children competing on a short grassy course.
RTQ has raised nearly $500,000 for the nonprofit organizations since 2008.
“We’re really excited to present what will be our biggest check yet to BMH, when they host their fall festival in a couple of weeks,” Lordi said. “We’re super proud of this event, and we can’t thank everyone enough for their support.”
Photos of the 15th Annual Rock the Quarry Trail Challenge 5K & Kids Fun Run can be found in the gallery at the top of the page.