Hickory 5K Series

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
An individual can win in the Overall Category or age group, but not both.

CATEGORIES
Age groups are as follows for both Males & Females:
0-9
10-14
15-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70+
Top 3 overall Male and Female
(Top 3 M/F will not medal in age groups)

SCORING PER RACE:
1 = 50 11 = 2
2 = 45 12 = 2
3 = 40 13 = 2
4 = 35 14 = 2
5 = 30 15 = 2
6 = 25 16 = 1
7 = 20 17 = 1
8 = 15 18 = 1
9 = 10 19 = 1
10 = 5 20 = 1

In the event of a tie at the end of the season the winner will be determined by: Who has placed higher the most often,
Greater number of events completed,
The person who placed higher in the final race of the Series (Trick or Trot 5K)

Every participant must run with the official bib number assigned. Be sure to look at the label affixed to your number to check that your information is correct and that you are wearing the number assigned to you. Switching or selling a bib is prohibited without prior/explicit authorization of a race official. Having another person run with your assigned bib is forbidden. Your race number is required to always be visible during the race and attached to the FRONT of your shirt/shorts. This position is where the bib is most visible to photographers, race officials, video, chip timing equipment, and manual backup timing methods.

If you are not registered for the race, you are not allowed to participate in that event. Bandits are strictly prohibited. A bandit is anyone who participates in an event without registering and without a race number. This is not only a safety issue (as race officials are unable to identify bandits in the case of an emergency), but also a drain on course resources for paying participants. If caught, bandits will be asked to leave the course immediately. Banditing may also impact a participant’s eligibility to participate in future races.

Participants must complete the entire course under his/her own power. If it is deemed that a participant did not complete the entire course under his/her own power, the participant will not be eligible for awards and will be removed from the official results.

No participant in the race will be allowed to be paced or given unauthorized aid by a person not officially entered in the race, whether on foot or by any other means, including bicycles, mopeds, scooters, motorized vehicles, etc. Unauthorized assistance is grounds for disqualification. However, someone may be paced by another official participant provided that both participants abide by all race rules.

Any participant responsible for jostling, running across, or obstructing another participant as to impede his or her progress shall be liable for disqualification from that event.

No participant shall use any equipment which is determined to be improper by a race official, including but not limited to equipment that might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants.

Any participant who refuses to obey the directions of any event official, city official, or course marshal; conducts himself/herself in an unsportsmanlike manner; or is offensive by action or language to officials, volunteers, participants, or spectators may be disqualified by the event and from future participation, at the discretion of race officials.

All runners have a collective responsibility to keep the event safe. Races generally discourage running with strollers or headphones. If you run with a stroller, you must start at the back of the start group and yield to all other participants. If you must run with headphones, please keep the volume low enough to hear vehicular traffic and instructions from law enforcement officers, volunteers, and race officials. Running with an animal is prohibited unless specifically and explicitly allowed by race officials.

Anyone wishing to participate in a race utilizing a wheelchair, hand cycle, other mobility assistance device or a service animal must contact race officials no less than 4 weeks before race day.

Contact Information
If you have any questions about this race series or its scoring, please use the following email address:
lriddile@hickorync.gov

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 26, 7 am - 7 pm
Friday, March 27, 7 am - 4 pm.
Race day: between 8:00 am-8:45 am at the registration tent.

T-SHIRTS: All who register by Sunday, March 15, 2026 (11:59 pm) are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered upon registration. Those who register after 11:59 pm on March 15, 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.

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 21st, 7 am - 7 pm
Friday, May 22, 7 am - 4 pm
Highland Recreation Center
1451 8th Street Drive NE, Hickory

Race day: 8 am - 8:45 am at the registration tent,
2500 Clement Blvd NW, Hickory 


T-SHIRTS: All that register by 11:59 pm, Sunday, May 10 are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered upon registration. Those who register after 11:59 pm on May 10th, 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.

Lets get ready to Boogie! The 5th 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 13th from 7 am- 7 pm,
Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th St. Dr. NE
Friday, August 14th from 7 pm - 8:30 pm at the registration tent, 1581 12th St. Dr. NW, Hickory

T-SHIRTS: All that register by 11:59 pm, August 2nd are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered upon registration. Those who register after 11:59 pm on August 2nd, 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.

Ruff, Ruff, Run 5K and Dog Festival will be held on Saturday, September 26th, 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 Overall
- Male and Female age groups
- Overall Male and Female

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 - 10:45 am at the registration tent, 2500 Clement Blvd. NW, Hickory.

T-SHIRTS: All that register by 11:59 pm, September 13th are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered upon registration. Those who register after 11:59 pm on September 13th, may receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last. 

Please place your bib on your person NOT the dog.

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

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

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:
Friday, October 24, 7 am - 5 pm.
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 11th. Those who register after 11:59 pm on October 11th, 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.