Ache Around the Lake - NEW DATE
- Date Sat 7th November 2026
- Time 8:00AM EST
- Location Tryon, North Carolina
- Price Free - $48.70
- Races 3 races
- Distances 5 Mile, 1 Mile
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of racing at the 21st Annual Ache Around the Lake, taking place on Saturday, November 7th, 2026, in the beautiful town of Tryon, Polk. This exciting event offers a unique opportunity to run across the stunning landscapes of Lake Lanier, traversing both South Carolina and North Carolina. Participants can choose from an 8K course, which spans 4.97 miles of hilly terrain, or join the Ouch 2 Mile race, along with a Kids Fun Run to ensure a fun-filled day for all ages.
Starting from the Tryon Antique Mall and Marketplace, the race kicks off at 8 AM, with the Ouch 2 Mile following closely at 8:05 AM and the Kids Fun Run at 8:15 AM. As competitors tackle the challenging gradients and steep hills, they’ll find well-placed aid stations to keep them fueled and motivated. Following the race, enjoy delicious post-race treats and gather for the awards ceremony at 9:15 AM, celebrating the top finishers in various categories. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a novice looking for a challenge, the Ache Around the Lake promises an unforgettable experience amidst the breathtaking scenery. Don’t
Starting from the Tryon Antique Mall and Marketplace, the race kicks off at 8 AM, with the Ouch 2 Mile following closely at 8:05 AM and the Kids Fun Run at 8:15 AM. As competitors tackle the challenging gradients and steep hills, they’ll find well-placed aid stations to keep them fueled and motivated. Following the race, enjoy delicious post-race treats and gather for the awards ceremony at 9:15 AM, celebrating the top finishers in various categories. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a novice looking for a challenge, the Ache Around the Lake promises an unforgettable experience amidst the breathtaking scenery. Don’t
Organiser's Description
JOIN THE EXCITEMENT OF THE 21ST ANNUAL ACHE AROUND THE LAKE, A YEARLY RUNNING EVENT THAT UNFOLDS ACROSS THE PICTURESQUE LANDSCAPES OF LAKE LANIER, SPANNING BOTH LANDRUM, SC, AND TRYON, NC. THIS UNIQUE RACE ALLOWS PARTICIPANTS TO TRAVERSE THE SCENIC BEAUTY OF TWO STATES IN A CHALLENGING 8K COURSE, COVERING 4.97 MILES OF HILLY TERRAIN. WHILE NOT IDEAL FOR SETTING PERSONAL RECORDS DUE TO ITS UNDULATING NATURE, THE COURSE PROMISES A THRILLING AND DEMANDING EXPERIENCE THAT WILL PUT BOTH SEASONED AND NOVICE RUNNERS TO THE TEST.
THE ACHE AROUND THE LAKE RACE KICKS OFF WITH AN INITIAL DESCENT, SETTING THE STAGE FOR A JOURNEY FILLED WITH CHALLENGING GRADIENTS. BRACE YOURSELF FOR GRUNT #1, THE STEEPEST HILL AT JUST OVER 1/4 MILE INTO THE RACE, OFFERING AN EARLY TEST OF ENDURANCE. WHILE THIS MAY BE THE MOST INTENSE INCLINE, SUBSEQUENT HILLS WILL KEEP YOUR LEGS ENGAGED, CREATING A DEMANDING COURSE THAT EVEN THE MOST RESILIENT RUNNERS MAY FIND THEMSELVES WALKING. AID STATIONS ARE STRATEGICALLY PLACED AT MILE 2 AND AGAIN AROUND MILE 4, PROVIDING CRUCIAL SUPPORT TO PARTICIPANTS FACING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF THIS SCENIC YET DEMANDING RACE AROUND LAKE LANIER.
ACHE AROUND THE LAKE ISN'T JUST A RUN; IT'S AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE THAT TAKES YOU THROUGH THE HEART OF TWO STATES, SHOWCASING THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE SURROUNDINGS WHILE PUSHING YOUR PHYSICAL LIMITS. WITH ITS CHALLENGING HILLS AND WELL-PLACED AID STATIONS, THIS ANNUAL EVENT IS A MUST FOR THOSE SEEKING BOTH A SCENIC ADVENTURE AND A TEST OF THEIR RUNNING PROWESS.
WHAT: ACHE AROUND THE LAKE 8K, 2 MILE, AND KIDS FUN RUN
WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH
TIME:
*
ACHE AROUND THE LAKE - 8AM
*
OUCH 2 MILE - 8:05AM
*
KIDS 1 MILE FUN RUN - 8:15AM
WHERE: TRYON ANTIQUE MALL & MARKETPLACE START/FINISH AROUND LAKE LANIER
ADDRESS: 1005 S. TRADE STREET, TRYON, NC 28782
PACKET PICKUP
*
RACE DAY ONLY - STARTING AT 6:30AM IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE TRYON ANTIQUE MALL (1005 S. TRADE STREET, TRYON, NC) (THE OLD SAVE-A-LOT) ACROSS THE STREET FROM EL SURENO MEXICAN RESTAURANT ON HWY 176.
POST RACE EATS - WE WILL HAVE ENJOYABLE TREATS AFTER THE RACE...WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW IS NOT CLEAR, BUT WE LIKE GOOD FOOD AFTER A RACE SO WE WILL DELIVER THE SAME FOR YOU.
AWARDS
*
WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING AWARDS AT 9:15 AM THIS YEAR. OFFICIAL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE LATER IN THE DAY. YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR RESULTS NOTIFICATIONS VIA TEXT OR EMAIL DURING REGISTRATION. ALL AWARDS ARE BY GUN TIME - MASS START PER RACE.**
*
THE OUCH 2 MILE AWARDS - TOP 1 OVERALL MALE & FEMALE
*
ACHE AROUND THE LAKE 8K AWARDS
*
TOP 3 OVERALL MALE & FEMALE
*
TOP 3 MASTERS MALE & FEMALE
*
TOP 1 MALE & FEMALE IN AGE GROUPS
*
14 & UNDER
*
15-19
*
20-29
*
30-39
*
40-49
*
50-59
*
60-69
*
70+
THE ACHE AROUND THE LAKE RACE KICKS OFF WITH AN INITIAL DESCENT, SETTING THE STAGE FOR A JOURNEY FILLED WITH CHALLENGING GRADIENTS. BRACE YOURSELF FOR GRUNT #1, THE STEEPEST HILL AT JUST OVER 1/4 MILE INTO THE RACE, OFFERING AN EARLY TEST OF ENDURANCE. WHILE THIS MAY BE THE MOST INTENSE INCLINE, SUBSEQUENT HILLS WILL KEEP YOUR LEGS ENGAGED, CREATING A DEMANDING COURSE THAT EVEN THE MOST RESILIENT RUNNERS MAY FIND THEMSELVES WALKING. AID STATIONS ARE STRATEGICALLY PLACED AT MILE 2 AND AGAIN AROUND MILE 4, PROVIDING CRUCIAL SUPPORT TO PARTICIPANTS FACING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF THIS SCENIC YET DEMANDING RACE AROUND LAKE LANIER.
ACHE AROUND THE LAKE ISN'T JUST A RUN; IT'S AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE THAT TAKES YOU THROUGH THE HEART OF TWO STATES, SHOWCASING THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE SURROUNDINGS WHILE PUSHING YOUR PHYSICAL LIMITS. WITH ITS CHALLENGING HILLS AND WELL-PLACED AID STATIONS, THIS ANNUAL EVENT IS A MUST FOR THOSE SEEKING BOTH A SCENIC ADVENTURE AND A TEST OF THEIR RUNNING PROWESS.
WHAT: ACHE AROUND THE LAKE 8K, 2 MILE, AND KIDS FUN RUN
WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH
TIME:
*
ACHE AROUND THE LAKE - 8AM
*
OUCH 2 MILE - 8:05AM
*
KIDS 1 MILE FUN RUN - 8:15AM
WHERE: TRYON ANTIQUE MALL & MARKETPLACE START/FINISH AROUND LAKE LANIER
ADDRESS: 1005 S. TRADE STREET, TRYON, NC 28782
PACKET PICKUP
*
RACE DAY ONLY - STARTING AT 6:30AM IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE TRYON ANTIQUE MALL (1005 S. TRADE STREET, TRYON, NC) (THE OLD SAVE-A-LOT) ACROSS THE STREET FROM EL SURENO MEXICAN RESTAURANT ON HWY 176.
POST RACE EATS - WE WILL HAVE ENJOYABLE TREATS AFTER THE RACE...WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW IS NOT CLEAR, BUT WE LIKE GOOD FOOD AFTER A RACE SO WE WILL DELIVER THE SAME FOR YOU.
AWARDS
*
WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING AWARDS AT 9:15 AM THIS YEAR. OFFICIAL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE LATER IN THE DAY. YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR RESULTS NOTIFICATIONS VIA TEXT OR EMAIL DURING REGISTRATION. ALL AWARDS ARE BY GUN TIME - MASS START PER RACE.**
*
THE OUCH 2 MILE AWARDS - TOP 1 OVERALL MALE & FEMALE
*
ACHE AROUND THE LAKE 8K AWARDS
*
TOP 3 OVERALL MALE & FEMALE
*
TOP 3 MASTERS MALE & FEMALE
*
TOP 1 MALE & FEMALE IN AGE GROUPS
*
14 & UNDER
*
15-19
*
20-29
*
30-39
*
40-49
*
50-59
*
60-69
*
70+
Races
-
Ache Around the Lake 8K
Incl. $3.70 Fee & T-Shirt (Unisex)
Sat 7th November 2026 (8:00AM EST)
$48.70
-
The Ouch 2 Mile
Incl. $3.10 Fee & T-Shirt (Unisex)
Sat 7th November 2026 (8:05AM EST)
$38.10
-
Kids 1 Mile Fun Run
Incl. T-Shirt (Unisex)
Sat 7th November 2026 (8:15AM EST)
Free
FREE Kids Fun Run for ages 10 & under only please. This event will not be timed. FREE entry for kids made possible by the Ann Jacob Toms Fund at Polk County Community Foundation.
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1005 S. Trade Street, Tryon, 28782, NC, United States
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Ache Around the Lake - NEW DATE
