Swayze Classic

Update (8/12/24): 

Due to overwhelming popularity, we’re closing down registration tonight. Y’all have exceeded our expectations for the year, and we are thrilled! We want to make sure we have the space for everyone. We’ll work on bigger and better plans for next year!

The History

In 2022 this run came together a few weeks before The Nations beloved holiday, St. Patrick Swayze Day. Our favorite local pub, The Centennial, has been throwing this annual party for years on the weekend of Patrick Swayze's birthday. Swayze was taken too soon by pancreatic cancer, so we threw together a quick fun run, and all proceeds went to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). We were blown away by how quickly you all came together - the donations totaled almost $900! The next year, for 2023, we got a little more organized, had a little more fun, and raised a little more money...over $3200!

So for the Third Annual Swayze Classic, we're doing it again.

The event will be on Saturday, August 17th at 10:15am. (What?! Who starts a run at 10:15am?) Yep, you read that right. The fun run/walk/jog will have a couple distances to choose from: there will be a 2-ish mile and a 4-ish distance (all of this pending Andrew's map creation) around The Nations. 80s gear is highly encouraged, so dig through those closets or visit your favorite local thrift store for a rad outfit! 

This event is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and stroller-friendly, but just a heads up that only those over 21 years old will be allowed in The Centennial (we'll have an outdoor area set up for before/after the race). We will be back in time for exclusive, early access to the St. Patrick Swayze Day that doesn't open to the public until 12pm. 

What your registration gets you:

• A chance to make history at the 3rd Annual Swayze Classic
• First beer from The Centennial 
• Early access to the St. Patrick Swayze Day party
• Really rad, tech-material T-shirt (only available to participants - this can't be purchased at the party!)
• All of the proceeds go to PanCAN to support pancreatic cancer research and early detection initiatives (only shirt costs taken out)
• Probably some water
• Raffle tickets for some gnarly prizes!

So bust out your neon, spandex, and/or 80s athletic gear and get into the Swayze Spirit!

The Nations has a few thrift stores to check out and shop locally! Southern Thrift & This-N-That.

Raffle Details:

If you came last year, we'll be doing it about the same way. You will get three tickets when you check in, and extra raffle tickets can be "purchased" by making a donation to our PanCAN page. If you donate ahead of time, you'll make our lives easier, and there is a good chance I throw in a couple extra tickets. So donate here! We have some really great prizes in store and also probably a few random ones that Andrew found at McKays. May the odds be ever in your favor. 

2024 ROUTES:

Swayze Classic 2ish Miles: England Park: https://www.strava.com/routes/3258051720030312572

Swayze Classic 4ish Miles: England and West Park: https://www.strava.com/routes/3258051607152331216

Registration notes:

• Kids age 5 and under are free
• Kids age 6-12 are discounted and won't include a shirt (the smallest size we have is an adult small, so if you would like one of those for your kid, you can register them in the teens/adult registration!)
• Teens/adults age 13-20 will include a shirt
• Adults age 21+ will include a shirt + beer ticket
• T-shirts and sizes guaranteed by July 10th. After that, shirts will be first come, first serve until we run out - so register early! 

Keep up to date with us @thenationsrun on Instagram!