Valentine 5K (Draft)

Each year the 💖💖SPIRIT AWARD💖💖  Costume Contest is a highlight of the Valentine 5K.  We are going to miss seeing all the hearts, pink tutus, and super festive fun cross the finish line this year. Fear not! If we can run or walk virtually – we can certainly show our Valentine Spirit on-line as well. 

💖💖SPIRIT AWARDS💖💖 will be awarded in three(3) Contest Categories: Adults, Kids (12 & Under), and Couples.

Check out the "best dressed" prizes for each Contest Category:

1st Place: Free pair of shoes from Mountain Running Company

2nd Place: $50 Gift Certificate from Take A Hike Outfitters

3rd Place: $25 Gift Certificate from The Trailhead Restaurant & Bar

Here’s how it works:

• Register for the 2021 Valentine DIY 5K. 
• Have someone take a photo of you showing off your very best running/walking Valentine Spirit. 
• Email your favorite photo(s) to info(@)eventmercenaries.com. As the photos arrive – they will be posted on the Valentine 5K Facebook page – complete with cute captions and Valentine fun.
• Submit photos anytime Friday February 12th thru Sunday February 14th at 5pm. 
• At 5pm a Facebook Poll, with all the photos, will be posted for each Contest Category >> Adults, Kids, and Couples. 
• 💖💖SPIRIT AWARD💖💖 voting will be open from 5pm on February 14th until Noon on Monday – February 15th. The photo with the most votes in each Costume Category is a winner. Second most votes - Second Place.. Third most votes - Third Place.

Other stuff:

• Only registered participants will be included in the 💖💖SPIRIT AWARD💖💖 Costume Contest.
• We won’t know if you actually ran or walked 5K while wearing a crazy red and pink striped wig or not. But we ask that you at least make an effort to look silly in public. In other words - a picture taken in your kitchen doesn’t count.
• Feel free to submit more than one photo. The “judges” will select the best one to be be posted.
• In the unlikely event of a tie – the Director of the Black Mountain Rec & Parks Department will cast the deciding vote.
• Prizes can be picked up at the Black Mountain Rec & Parks Department offices.
• If you live out of town and win a prize – we’ll mail it to you.
• If you’re not on Facebook - the photos will also be posted on the Valentine 5K Photo Page

Thank you for registering for 2021 Valentine DIY 5K. While we'd certainly prefer to see everyone out on the course - this year we just want to encourage everyone to stay active and healthy during these crazy times.

This “Do It Yourself” event will allow participants to run or walk at any time and any location that is convenient and safe for you and your families. Run a local 5K (like the Valentine 5K course), around the block, on trails,12.5 laps around the track, or even run on a treadmill. You don't even have to live in North Carolina - so please invite friends and family in other states or countries to join the fun.

While not required – you can submit your time for inclusion in the online “Just For Fun” results. We will collect times Friday - February 12th thru Sunday - February 14th. Don't like your time? Go Run or walk the same route again then submit a new time. We'll replace any/all previous times with the new one. Why not challenge your self to improve your time every day. Don't want to brag about how fast your are?? You don't even have to list a time - just show that you ran or walked.

There are three ways to submit your results:

Go to the 2021 Valentine DIY 5K site [https://runsignup.com/valentine5k] >> Click on the "RESULTS" tab in the upper right >> from there following the "Find A Participant" instructions to access your registration details >> Once there >> click and follow the instructions to "Submit Results". Easy.

OR

Sign into your RunSignUp.com account >> Click on your "Profile" in the upper right corner >> Next to "2021 Valentine DIY 5K", on the right side, you'll see "Submit Virtual Results" >> click and follow the instructions to "Submit Results". Easy.

OR

Send us an email with your Name and Time by clicking on the "RACE CONTACT INFO" link below. For additional proof of your 5K run/walk time send a photo or screenshot of your Garmin, Strava, or other smart device to info "@" eventmercenaries.com

___________

To see your results - click on this RESULTS link or the RESULTS tab at https://runsignup.com/valentine5k

__________

Rules: This is a "Just For Fun - Do It Yourself - FUNdraiser" - so There Are No Rules. Everyone's on the honor system = please use a phone app like MapMyRun or Strava, OR run a confirmed distance (12.5 laps around the track, follow a local 5K route) to log your 5K run/walk. If you really want to "prove" you ran a 15:30 5K - email us a photo or screenshot of your Garmin, Strava, or other smart device to info "@" eventmercenaries.com. [If you can run that fast - we'll be certain to forward it on to USA Track & Field.]