Hickory 5K Series

Included Events:

Easter Egg Scramble 5K - Hickory Riverwalk Trail, 
Saturday March 28, 2026

Aviation 5K - L.P. Frans Stadium/Winkler Park 2500 Clement Blvd. NW, Hickory, NC
Saturday May 23, 2026

Lightning Bug Boogie 5K Night Trail Run - Hickory City Park, 1581 12th St. Dr. NWW, Hickory, NC 
Friday August 14, 2026

Ruff, Ruff, Run 5K (Dog Festival) - L.P. Frans Stadium/Winkler Park, 2500 Clement Blvd. NW, Hickory, NC
Saturday September 26, 2026

Hickory Trick or Trot 5K - Highland Recreation Center, 1541 8th St. Dr. NE, Hickory, NC
Saturday October 31, 2026

See: SERIES DETAILS BELOW

If you are racing in the SERIES keep your Bib number for every race. That is your assigned number for the entire SERIES.  You will be charged a $5.00 fee for a new Bib number assignment if lost or forgotten. 

T-SHIRTS: A custom designed T-shirt is included with your advanced registration. Check our deadlines for each race. Those who register during early registration will recieve the shirt size designated by you during your registration.  All others may receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last. 

AGE GROUPS:

Are as follows for both Males & Females:
0-9
10-14
15-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70+
Top 3 overall Male and Female
(Top 3 M/F will not medal in age groups) 

AWARDS, SCORING & RULES:

The Hickory 5K Series uses a point system based on results from each race. All runners will score according to their placing during every race. The top 3 male and female runners in their respective age categories and overall top 3 males & females receive awards, merchandise or gift certificates!  Hickory 5K Series awards are not duplicated. An individual can win in the Overall Category or age group, but not both.

SCORING PER RACE: Place & Points

1 = 50             11 = 2

2 = 45             12 = 2

3 = 40             13 = 2

4 = 35             14 = 2

5 = 30             15 = 2

6 = 25             16 = 1

7 = 20             17 = 1

8 = 15             18 = 1

9 = 10             19 = 1

10 = 5             20 = 1

In the event of a tie at the end of the season:

The winner will be determined by who has placed higher the most often
Greater number of events completed
The person who placed higher in the final race of the Series (Trick or Trot 5K)  
 

 

Lightning Bug Boogie Night Trail Race/Run - Hickory City Park, 1581 12th St. Dr. NW, Hickory, NC

LOOK for reflective arrow signs as you run the trails...

This course starts out on the Geitner paved trail runs slightly downhill to the main trail head area then turns right passing the "Butterfly Garden" and going down a single track trail (Springs Loop backwards). Run on Springs Loop trail until it takes you back out to Geitner paved trail (a right turn) for a short distance, taking a left onto Broyhill Trail. You'll take Broyhill Trail for a short distance then back onto Geitner paved trail. Take a left at the downhill Boyscout Hut driveway and an immediate right back onto the trails until you go under the River Walk trail and loop back to the right onto the River Walk trail. After a short stint on the River Walk trail you'll be directed back onto the Broyhill trail to Elevator trail taking you back up to the Pump Track and Main trail head where you will finish on the paved section of Geitner trail.   

 

then making a right onto "Springs Loop" trail following it until the next trail head opening. There you'll take a left across the paved trail back into the woods on an unnamed trail. This unnamed trail loops back up to Geitner paved trail. Then you will take a series of on-and-off single track and paved trail efforts until you reach, "The Wall." This 30 foot long scramble (25% grade) puts you back onto the Gietner paved trail for the final 1/4 mile stretch to the finishline. 

 

At the bottom of the "Elevator" trail you will then ascend up to a portion of the "Broyhill" trail until it dumps out onto the Geitner paved trail (going hard left)

 

This challenging course demands that you have a good head lamp and if you're compelled an extra chest light or hand-held flash light.  

This course is VERY FUN especially if it's a full moon or there are few clouds in the sky. 

In case of rain we will evaluate the course conditions and abbreviate anywhere we feel is unfit for running. If necessary we will run an out-and-back on the paved trail only. 

All 5 Races in the Series: Custom Easter Egg Scramble - T-Shirt

Easter Egg Scramble 5K: Custom Easter Egg Scramble - T-Shirt

Aviation 5K: Custom Aviation 5K - T-Shirt

Lightning Bug Boogie 5K: Custom Lightning Bug Boogie - T-Shirt

Ruff, Ruff, Run 5K & Dog Festival: Custom Ruff, Ruff, Run - T-Shirt

Trick or Trot 5K: Custom Trick or Trot - T-Shirt