Valentine Greenway Challenge to return in February

Holiday-themed 5K supports local trails

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
January 19, 2024

The Valentine Greenway Challenge 5K will return, Feb. 10, for its second year. The annual event supports the Black Mountain Greenways & Trails Committee, a nonprofit organization that promotes the town’s trail system. Photo by Fred McCormick

An annual race that celebrates Valentine's Day while supporting local trails will return for its second year at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, as the Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department and Black Mountain Greenways & Trails Committee host the Valentine Greenway Challenge 5K.

The event, which will begin and end at the BMRP building on Black Mountain Avenue and take runners along The Oaks Trail and two greenways in Veterans Park, hosted more than 300 participants in its inaugural year.

The race combines elements of its two predecessors, the Valentine 5K and Greenway Challenge. Runners are encouraged to dress in Valentine’s Day costumes, a tradition established in the annual Valentine’s Day race once hosted at Lake Tomahawk, while traversing a trio of trails highlighting the town’s greenway system. Half of the registration fees and sponsorships collected support the Black Mountain Greenways & Trails Committee.

The Challenge raised nearly $6,000 in 2023 for the nonprofit, which promotes greenways and trails in Black Mountain through initiatives like the Walk and Learn program that explores town parks and other volunteer efforts.

Participants can register for $30 through Friday, Feb. 9, at raceroster.com, while registration on the day of the race is $35. All runners will receive a Valentine Greenway Challenge fanny pack, while overall and age division winners will receive prizes from Mountain Running Co. Additional spirit awards will be given to participants with the most creative costumes.

The Valentine Greenway Challenge, which returns for its second year, Feb. 10, raised nearly $6,000 for trails and greenways in Black Mountain in its inaugural running. Photo by Fred McCormick

The Challenge is sponsored by multiple local businesses and sponsorship opportunities remain available through BMRP Recreation Coordinator Clint Bowman, at clint.bowman@tobm.org.