ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — For those feeling a spring in their step as spring approaches, consider registering for a footrace in Western North Carolina.
March race calendar
Saturday, March 14
St. Paddy’s Day 5K and Little Leprechaun Dash – 10 a.m., Trailside Brewing Co., 873 Lenox Park Dr., Hendersonville
The St. Paddy’s Day 5K will be preceded by a quarter-mile Little Leprechaun Dash for the wee racers in attendance. The dash includes a finisher medal and a race bib. Come dressed in green for the race proper, registration for which includes a finisher medal, race shirt, chip timing and a Trailside beer or beverage.
Saturday, March 21
New Belgium Asheville Marathon and Half – 7:30 a.m., Pack Square Park, Asheville
The longest race in WNC this March is the Asheville Marathon. The Boston Marathon qualifier will begin in Pack Square Park at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at New Belgium Brewing with a celebration including live music, refreshments and awards. The day prior, a race expo will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Biltmore Village and a pre-race community run will be held at 1 p.m. at New Belgium Brewing. The day after, the community is invited to a “plogging” clean-up event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along the race route. Sign up at www.ashevillemarathon.com/plogging-event.
South Mountain 5K, 10K and Fun Run – 9 a.m., Catawba Meadows Greenway, 701 Sanford Dr., Morganton
South Mountain Baptist Camp will host a fundraiser for its summer camp operating costs with a 5K, a 10K and a one mile fun run. Runners, walkers, volunteers and cheerleaders are all invited to come out for the race.
Sunday, March 22
Hope and Grace 5K – 9 a.m., Jackson County Recreation Center, 88 Cullowhee Mountain Road, Cullowhee
The Hope and Grace 5K is a fundraiser for Taylor, a Western Carolina University alumna battling Grade 4 brain cancer. 100% of the race proceeds will go to Taylor and her husband, Andrew, and their two daughters, Finley Grace and Hadley Hope. All entrants will receive a ticket to the March 22 WCU baseball game against Samford University.
Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2026: Week One – 3 p.m., Mills River Park, 124 Town Center Dr., Mills River
The Healthy Kids Running Series is a national five week running program for kids in preschool through 8th grade. The series takes place once a week and includes a 50 yard dash, a 75 yard dash, a quarter-mile race, a half-mile race and a one mile race. Kids earn points in the series for every race they complete.
Saturday, March 28
Bunny Run 5K – 8 a.m., Southwestern Community College Bookstore, 447 College Dr., Sylva
The first annual Bunny Run 5K will raise money for the Southwestern Child Development Commission, which is fundraising for the restoration of the SCDC building in Webster, N.C., a historic structure listed on the National Historic Registry.
Burke Sunrise Rotary Strides for STRIVE 5K – 8 a.m., Western Piedmont Community College, 1001 Burkemont Ave., Morganton
The Burke Sunrise Rotary Club race is fundraising scholarships for the Student Taking a Renewed Interest in Education Program (STRIVE), which works with students to in the bottom third of their class to raise their GPAs in order to pursue higher education after graduation. The race will run through Western Piedmont Community College, the NC School of Science and Math and the NC School for the Deaf, with a post-race breakfast served after.
2026 Rams Run/Walk 5K – 10 a.m., Valley Springs Middle School, 224 Long Shoals Road, Arden
The Ram Run 5K, a fundraiser for Valley Springs Athletics, the T.C. Roberson Rams Club and the Progressive Education Program, will take span the campuses of Valley Springs Middle School, Estes Elementary School and a portion of Biltmore Park.
Sunday, March 29
Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2026: Week Two – 3 p.m., Mills River Park, 124 Town Center Dr., Mills River
The Healthy Kids Running Series is a national five week running program for kids in preschool through 8th grade. The series takes place once a week and includes a 50 yard dash, a 75 yard dash, a quarter-mile race, a half-mile race and a one mile race. Kids earn points in the series for every race they complete.