Race to the Rock 5k – August 25, 2013 – Chimney Rock, NC

This Sunday morning uphill 5k is part of the Lake Lure Olympiad Sports Festival that spans the entire weekend. The 5k run is held in conjunction with a bike race. Here’s some information from the race organizers:

The Lake Lure Olympiad weekend ends with the ultimate racing challenge: the 5K run or 25 mile bike to the top of Chimney Rock. Both races end with a 7-9% grade incline that finishes at the base of the 315 foot tall Chimney Rock.

What even more enticing is that this is the ONLY TIME you can run or cycle up to Chimney Rock all year. If the climb doesn’t take your breath away, the incredible 75-mile panoramic view at the top surely will.

I’ve run this race twice, most recently in 2010 [see results here]. It’s challenging, but we run in Western North Carolina and we see all kinds of scary races with daunting names such as “Beast” and “Bear” and “Monster”. So how scary can a “Race to the Rock” be? The elevation gain is tough but it’s not in the same league as the Bearwallow Beast. It’s all on pavement, with a great payoff at the top (the view).

Online registration is available at Setup Events. For more information, visit the race website.