Registration for all races ends 1 hour prior to the start of the race and must be done online. There is no in-person registration on the day of the race! All runners must be checked-in at least 30 minutes before race time.

Registration for all 5 races in the series.

In order to qualify for series awards at the end of the year, you must have completed at least 4 out of the 5 races in the series.

Runners will earn points based on their finish position which will accumulate throughout the series. Whoever has the most points at the end of the series is the winner.

Series awards will be given to the Top 3 Male and Female winners, as well as the 1st place in each age category.

All participants will receive a finishers medal.

If you are racing in the full Series KEEP YOUR BIB NUMBER! You are assigned one number for the entire Series. You will be charged a $5.00 fee for a new Bib number assignment if lost or forgotten. 

T-Shirts from each race are included in the series registration.

SERIES RULES
For a full list of series rules, please click here: https://runsignup.com/Series/Hickory5kseries

Registration for all races ends 1 hour prior to the start of the race and must be done online. There is no in-person registration on the day of the race! All runners must be checked-in at least 30 minutes before race time.

Join us for this fun family friendly, Easter themed 5K! The race will start and finish at Hickory City Park (1581 12th St. Dr. NW) using the Riverwalk Trail. This course is primarily paved trail.

Packet pick-up available:
Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th St. Dr. NE, Hickory
Thursday, March 18, 7 am - 7 pm
Friday, March 19, 7 am - 4 pm.
Race day: between 8:00 am-8:30 am at the registration tent.

T-SHIRTS: All who register by Sunday, March 7, 2027 (11:59 pm) are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered upon registration. Those who register after 11:59 pm on March 7, may receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last. 

THIS IS A DOUBLE POINTS RACE!

Awards will be given out approximately one hour after the race start time.

Registration for all races ends 1 hour prior to the start of the race and must be done online. There is no in-person registration on the day of the race! All runners must be checked-in at least 30 minutes before race time.

Join us for this fun family friendly, Hickory pedestrian trail (Aviation Walk) themed 5K! The race will start and finish at L.P. Frans Stadium, 2500 Clement Boulevard NW, Hickory, NC. This course is all paved trail.

Packet pick-up:
Thursday, May 20th, 7 am - 7 pm
Friday, May 21, 7 am - 4 pm
Highland Recreation Center
1451 8th Street Drive NE, Hickory

Race day: 8 am - 8:30 am at the registration tent,
2500 Clement Blvd NW, Hickory 


T-SHIRTS: All that register by 11:59 pm, Sunday, May 9 are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered upon registration. Those who register after 11:59 pm on May 9th, may receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last. 

Awards will be given out approximately one hour after the race start time.

Registration for all races ends 1 hour prior to the start of the race and must be done online. There is no in-person registration on the day of the race! All runners must be checked-in at least 30 minutes before race time.

Lets get ready to Boogie! The 6th annual Lightning Bug Boogie Night Trail Run 5K will take place on at Hickory City Park (Lake Hickory Trails) 1581 12th St. Dr. NW, Hickory, NC. This course will consist of off road trails that include hills, descents, tight turns, roots, rocks and other trail type features. All participants will be required to have a light in the form of a headlamp, chest light or flashlight.  Cell phone lights are NOT effective. 


Packet pick-up:
Thursday, August 11th from 7 am- 7 pm,
Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th St. Dr. NE
Friday, August 12th from 7 pm - 8:30 pm at the registration tent, Hickory City Park, 1581 12th St. Dr. NW, Hickory

T-SHIRTS: All that register by 11:59 pm, August 1st are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered upon registration. Those who register after 11:59 pm on August 1st, may receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last. 

Awards will be given out approximately one hour after the race start time.

Registration for all races ends 1 hour prior to the start of the race and must be done online. There is no in-person registration on the day of the race! All runners must be checked-in at least 30 minutes before race time.

Ruff, Ruff, Run 5K and Dog Festival will be held on Saturday, September 25th, race start time 11:00 am, at L.P. Frans Stadium/Winkler Park, 2500 Clement Blvd.

Whether you are joining us for fun or competing to be Top Dawg on the podium, you and your dog will bond as you negotiate our trails together!  This course will consist of paved portions and off road trails that include hills, descents, tight turns, roots, rocks and other trail type features. 

Running with a dog is encouraged however you DO NOT have to run with a dog to participate in the 5K.

For all Ruff, Ruff, Run participants including Series runners, awards will be broken into three categories for this race only:
- Runners with a dog- Top 3 Male & Female & Age Groups
- Runners without a dog-Top 3 Male and Females

Awards will be given out approximately one hour after the race start time.

- For groups running/walking with a dog, the person holding the leash will be considered the “Dog Runner” and will be scored upon their finish time.

Packet Pick-up:
Thursday, 7 am to 7 pm
Friday 7 am to 4 pm
Highland Rec Center, 1451 8th St. Dr. NE, Hickory

Race day: 9:30 am - 10:30 am at the registration tent, L.P. Frans Stadium, 2500 Clement Blvd. NW, Hickory.

T-SHIRTS: All that register by 11:59 pm, September 12th are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered upon registration. Those who register after 11:59 pm on September 12th, may receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last. 

Race Rules for Running with a dog:

Must have proof of Rabies vaccination for competing dog. 
Must maintain control of the dog for the duration of the race.
All dogs must be on a fixed length leash. It is recommended for dogs to have a full harness. 
You must clean up after your dog
We have specific bandanas if you have a reactive dog
The start of the 5K will be staggered. Finish times will be based off your time when you pass the Starting Line until you pass the Finish Line. Keep in mind the first person to pass the Finish Line may not be the fastest participant. If you are running without a dog please let us know and we will place you with just runners.
Please place your bib on your person NOT the dog.

DOG FESTIVAL:

The day is not just about running, walking or hiking on the trail. Join us for the Ruff, Ruff, Run Dog FESTIVAL from 10 am - 1 pm. Spectators, friends and family encouraged. 

DOG FESTIVAL area is FREE to the public
Yoga with your dog - Post race
Food trucks 
Dog vendors with local craftsmen and dog products throughout. 
Dog demo’s
Live music

Registration for all races ends 1 hour prior to the start of the race and must be done online. There is no in-person registration on the day of the race! All runners must be checked-in at least 30 minutes before race time.

Join us for this fun family friendly, Halloween themed 5K! The race will start and finish at Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th St. Dr. NE, Hickory. This course will consist of primarily paved trail and sidewalks.

Packet pick-up:
Thursday, October 28, 7 am - 7 pm.
Friday, October 29, 7 am - 4 pm.
Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th St. Dr. NE, Hickory

Race day: 8 am - 8:30 am
Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th St. Dr. NE, Hickory

T-SHIRTS: A custom designed Trick or Trot 5K shirt is included with your registration up to Sunday, October 17th. Those who register after 11:59 pm on October 17th, may receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last. 

Awards will be given out approximately one hour after the race start time.

*THIS IS A DOUBLE POINTS RACE!

Kids ages 8 & Under are welcome to participate in the 1/2 or 1 mile fun runs 30 minutes prior to each race. There is no charge and they can participate in as few or many runs as they would like. All participants will receive medals. These are not timed.