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The 18th Annual Stick Boy Mayview Madness 5k and 1-Mile Fun Run takes place here on Saturday, September 30, The 5k run starts at 8:30 a.m. adjacent to the American Legion Hall and finishes in front of Bistro Roca restaurant, where post-race snacks will be provided and awards presented.  The 1-Mile Fun Run presented by Blue Ridge Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine starts in the same location at 8:00, so parents can accompany their kids and still make the 5k start time. Last year’s run saw a record 320 riders from all over the Southeast.

Both runs benefit Blue Ridge Conservancy’s work with willing landowners and local communities to permanently protect land and water resources with agricultural, ecological, cultural, recreational and scenic value in northwest North Carolina.

“We always look forward to the Mayview Madness because it means lots of folks coming together for a singular cause, protecting the places we love. It also means the start of autumn and there is no nicer place to run than Blowing Rock in the early fall. We are happy to invite runners of all ages from around the region to experience our little slice of heaven,” said Tracy Brown, Blowing Rock TDA Executive Director.

The Mayview Madness 5k is run on a course that climbs Wonderland Trail Road, followed by a steep run through the historic Mayview neighborhood, with magnificent views of the Blue Ridge along the route. For more information, visit blueridgeconservancy.org/news-events/annual-events/mayview-madness-run. To register, go to register.chronotrack.com/r/32008.

For those participants living in or near Blowing Rock, ZAP Fitness Running Center is offering free training runs and clinics in advance of the events, including a session for children planning to participate in the 1 Mile Fun Run. The adult training runs are open to all ages and abilities and will range in distance from 2-7 miles. Runners will meet each Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. at the dirt parking lot on Highway 221 adjacent to the entrance to Moses Cone Park. Sessions start on September 6.

The 5k will have prizes donated by local businesses for the top three male and female finishers in each of ten age groups, including a separate category for masters runners. Reebok running shoes will be awarded to the male and female first place finisher in each category. Details and registration at

For more information on the Blue Ridge Conservancy, visit blueridgeconservancy.org.