When: Saturday, October 19, 2013 - 8:00 a.m.
Where: Acquoni Events Center - 1501 Aquoni Road - Cherokee, North Carolina
Click here for a Google map to Aquoni Events Center
Registration
Registration for the 2013 Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon & 5K is open now! Click here to be taken directly to the registration page.
Pre-registration will only be accepted online using imAthlete.com. Those new to this site will love the features this registration portal provides including an up-to-the minute list of registered athletes. For your convenience, we have prepared a tutorial to guide you through the registration process.
Entry Fees
Half Marathon: $30 until May 31, $40 from June 1 to race day
5K: $20 until May 31, $25 from June 1 to race day
Military organizations, businesses, and non-profit clubs and organizations with 5 or more participants may receive the group entry fee of $15 for the 5K provided all entries are mailed in the same envelope and paid for with the same check. Click HERE to download the Adult Group Entry Form.
School team, clubs and youth organizations with 5 or more participants may receive the group entry fee of $10 for the 5K provided all entries are mailed in the same envelope and paid for with the same check. Click HERE to download the Youth Group Entry Form.
Entries must be received by October 7 and will not be accepted at Packet Pickup/Late Registration. Group entry is not available on line.
Refunds/Substitutions
There will be no refund of entry fees. You may receive a credit of 50% of your entry fee towards the 2014 race by going to the race site at www.IMAthlete.com and requesting a credit before October 7. Substitutions will be allowed with written permission (e-mail acceptable) of the person no longer running up until Friday, October 11, 2013.
Time Limit
There is a time limit of 3 hours to complete the half marathon.
Race Schedule
Friday, October 18
4:00-6:00 pm Packet Pick Up/Late Registration - Aquoni Events Center
Saturday, October 19
6:00-7:30 am Packet Pick Up/Late Registration - Aquoni Events Center
7:45 am Assemble for Start of Races
8:00 am Half Marathon & 5K Start
9:15 am 5K Awards Ceremony
11:00 a.m. Half Marathon Awards Ceremony
Results
Per USA Track & Field rules, awards were based on gun time.
Race Shirts & Swag
The first 500 registrants are guaranteed to receive the official race shirt and swag package.
Awards
Each 5K and half marathon race finisher will receive a commemorative finisher medal.
There will be a cash purse of $1,400 for the half marathon. The prize breakdown will be published soon.
Special awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers for Overall finishers and First place Masters (40 & Over) in each race.
Age group awards will go to the first, second and third male and female in the following age groups: 12 & Under, 13-15, 16-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34,35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84 and 85 & Over. No double dipping!
You or a friend must pick up your award. Awards will not be mailed!
Safety
For everyones safety no pets, no strollers, no baby joggers, no bikes, no in-line skates, no roller skates and no wheeled vehicles will be allowed on-course.
For the safety of all, in accordance with RRCA Guidelines (Road Runners Clubs of America), the use of headphones is discouraged.
Course
Both races will start and finish in the parking lot at the Acquoni Expo Center. The course will give runners a flavor of Cherokee through most of its communities. Except for one hill at mile 6, the half marathon course is mostly flat on paved roads.
Click HERE to download a map of the Half Marathon course.
Click HERE to download a map of the 5K course.
Following the race, all runners are invited inside the track infield for post race food and drink, door prize drawings and the awards ceremony.
Post Race Meal
The post race meal will be provided through collaboration between the Cherokee Choices program and Harrah's Culinary Department. Last year’s meal drew rave reviews from all participants and we look forward to another inspiring and tasty creation. As soon as the menu is determined, we will post it here.
The Native Cherokee Youth Gardeners is a youth development program that empowers teens through gardening and activities that encourage healthy choices and food values. The youth are paid a stipend to cultivate vegetables, herbs and flowers they sell, donate, cook and eat throughout the 8-week summer program. Click on the picture on the right column to see the video about this program.
Charity
Race proceeds will benefit the Madison Hornbuckle Children's Cancer Foundation serving children 17 and under with cancer in Jackson, Graham, Swain, and Haywood Counties. Last year, over $10,000 was generated from this event.
Lodging
A list of hotels offering special rates for race participants is being compiled. Please check back for the complete list.
For a complete listing of Cherokee lodging and attractions, please click HERE.
Volunteer
Would you still like to be part of the rebirth of this great event but don't want to run. Volunteering is the perfect way to do that. We have spots available at Friday and Saturday registration and at the course aid stations. Please email greg@gloryhoundevents.com if you are interested in volunteering yourself or have a group that wants to staff one of our aid stations.
Directions
From Asheville, NC (approximately 1 hour) Take I-40 west to exit 27 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue west on U.S. 74 past Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S.Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy 19. Turn left at second traffic light - Acquoni Road. The Acquoni Events Center is approximately .7 miles on the left.
From Knoxville, TN (approximately 2 hours) Take I-40 east into North Carolina to exit 27 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue west on U.S. 74 beyond Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S. Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy. 19. Turn left at second traffic light - Acquoni Road. The Acquoni Events Center is approximately .7 miles on the left.
From Atlanta, GA (approximately 2.5 hours) Take I-85 north to I-985 which becomes U.S. 23 north, and eventually becomes U.S. 23/441 north. You will travel through the towns of Clayton, GA, Franklin, NC, and Dillsboro, NC. Just beyond Dillsboro, take U.S. 74 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) west to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S.Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy. 19. Turn left at second traffic light - Acquoni Road. The Acquoni Events Center is approximately .7 miles on the left.
Race Photographs
Photos from the 2012 Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon, courtesy of Christopher-Graphics, can be viewed HERE.
Information
Please e-mail greg@gloryhoundevents.com for all race related questions.