Events
5k Kids Dash
Description
We are excited to announce the second annual Run for the Hills 5K on September 26, 2026 in beautiful Spruce Pine hosted by the Bridge Church. Please join us for a gently sloping course around downtown, starting and ending at Riverside Park below the YMCA.
Last years race commemorated the one year anniversary of Hurricane Helene hitting our town and we were able to raise just shy of $8,000 for the rebuilding of the Riverside Park playground.YAY !!!!!
As our focus is still on rebuilding and strengthening our community, this years race will benefit the "Feed a Child Mitchell County" program. "Feed a Child " was started to help families with food insecurities when it became apparent that some children go home to empty pantries over the weekend. The program packs 180 bags of non perishable snacks and meals per week that get distributed to the Mitchell County schools on Thursdays and are available to students on Friday afternoon. So whether you run or walk the race, donate or bring non perishable foods, your help will be greatly appreciated.
Raceday September 26th - We will be meeting at the Bridge Church at 207 Pinebridge Ave, just above the YMCA to kick off the race day registration, packet pick up and pep talk at 7:30am with the race starting at 9am.
Pre race packet pickup will be open Friday, September 25th from 5:30-7:30pm at the church, same as last year.
Awards Break Down:
1st Place Overall (Male and Female)
Age Groups (Male and Female)
9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
Place
Spruce Pine, NC US 28777
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
About Run For The Hills 5k
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, unleashing torrential rain, powerful winds, and catastrophic flooding. In Mitchell County—particularly in Spruce Pine—this historic storm wrought havoc. The Toe River surged over thirty feet, inundating Lower Street and its businesses leaving them buried in mud and debris. The beloved Riverside Park, once a thriving community gathering space, was utterly destroyed—its playground, splash pad, baseball field, gardens, amphitheater, and scenic river trail all laid to waste. Amid the devastation hope emerged. Neighbors, churches, organizations and volunteers from all over came to help our beautiful area dig out, clean up and rebuild. Although recovery efforts are still ongoing, the park’s restoration remains a long journey ahead.
Questioning how she could make a difference, local runner and Florida transplant, Birgit Smith, was moved to act. Inspired by her love for this mountain community and her passion for running, she envisioned a commemorative race on the storm’s anniversary—RunForTheHills5K. By partnering with her church, The Bridge Church, Spruce Pine, who encouraged and supported her motivational fundraiser idea, this was made possible. This event isn’t just about logging miles; it’s about: Remembering, Celebrating and Encouraging our community.
Join us in this meaningful run (or walk) to honor our past and support the future— raising funds to help the Town of Spruce Pine restore Riverside Park so that we and our future generation can come together again to play, to laugh and to enjoy this beautiful spot in the heart of town!
Event Host
The Bridge Church is a vibrant, multi‑generational congregation nestled in the heart of downtown Spruce Pine, NC—and it’s also Birgit Smith’s home church. We’re honored to serve as the official host of Run For The Hills 5K and look forward to blessing our community through this meaningful event.
