Run for the Horses 5k – October 16, 2011 – Asheville, NC

A Sunday afternoon (2 PM) race with a nice downtown/North Asheville course. Lots of animal-related festivities before and after the race. From the race organizers:

We are gearing up for an afternoon of great fun, great excerise, and fabulous food. The 5th Annual Run for the Horses 5K Run & 1- Mile Fun Walk & Dog Parade is set for Sunday, October 16 at 2 P.M. in historic downtown Asheville, N.C. This certified course takes runners on a scenic yet challenging run through downtown Asheville, set in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. This popular, family-friendly event includes a whimsical dog parade along with the one-mile fun walk and a great line-up of vendor booths offering everything from pets for adoption to the latest running gear.Refreshments will be provided by Food Lion, Pepsi and McGuire, Wood and Bissette. The course is managed and certified by RMS Race Management Systems. Kids and adults can enjoy decorating craft horses,petting our mascot, Joey a friendly miniature horse while they relax and listen to great music. There will be wonderful raffle prizes and hand crafted one-of-a-kind awards given to the top three runners in each age division for male and female as well as best overall male and female.Hope for Horses is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing rehabilitation and adoption services to the community for neglected, abused, and unwanted horses. You don’t have to be a horse owner to have a great time at Run for the Horses! Families, children and dogs are encouraged to join in the fun while helping these wonderful animals find forever, loving homes.

For more information and to register, visit the race website.