Richard's Run 5K for brain cancer

This is quite possibly the most challenging 5K on earth.

Forget the flat stretches of asphalt. Those are for wusses. This annual 5K trail run, through the mile-high meadows and along forest trails of Cataloochee Ranch, will have your pulse racing right along with your feet. At the finish line will be awards, prizes, food and drinks, and bluegrass by the Darren Nicholson Band. Just register and pay your $25 entry fee online. Then come help us give brain cancer a heart-pounding run for its money.

The course:

The race will begin at the Silverbell Lodge at Cataloochee Ranch and will follow the path up towards the Chestnut Orchard. From there, the route will lead through a gate and into The Bowl, an expansive bowl-shaped open meadow with dramatic long-range mountain views. The trail will lead runners around the perimeter, following the shape of the bowl, before plunging into a thick rhododendron tunnel that opens back into The Bowl.

Next, the trail will wind down towards the “Way Back When” base camp, then onto a shaded gravel road that winds downhill and around into a densely shaded forest. The road will go past the waterfall at Salamander Creek, crossing over the shallow creek and beginning the climb back up through the forest. Runners will pass the Evans Cove overlook, then turn left for the final stretch home. The course will cross one more small creek and wind around between the horse meadows to the finish line near the Ranch barn.

The rewards:

At the finish line, in addition to awards for the winners, there will be door prizes, two raffle drawings, and a bluegrass performance by The Darren Nicholson Band. Beer, water, pizza and other goodies will also be available. So, in fact, everybody wins.

The nitty-gritty:

The race starts at 10 am. Please arrive at least an hour early, by 9 am. Parking and check-in will be on your right as you reach the top of the mountain on Fie Top Road. Visit richardsrun.org for more information.