Forum Fitness 43rd Annual Winter Flight 8K & 5K and 2026 RRCA NC 8K Championship

  • Date Sat 31st January 2026
  • Time 6:00PM EST
  • Location Salisbury, North Carolina
  • Price Free - $49.75
  • Races 6 races
  • Distances 5 Mile, 5km

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Event summary

Join us for the excitement of the Forum Fitness 43rd Annual Winter Flight 8K & 5K, taking place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in beautiful Salisbury, North Carolina! This vibrant event will kick off at the Catawba College Gymnasium, starting with registration and packet pickup from 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM. Runners can look forward to a fantastic day of racing, featuring a 5K run/walk and an 8K run that also serves as the RRCA NC State Championship. Both races begin at 2:00 PM, with an added 1/2 Mile Fun Run for younger participants starting at 1:30 PM.

Participants will receive a stylish long-sleeve hoodie and a finisher's medal, while age group awards will be given for both the 8K and 5K races. Plus, all registered runners have a chance to win a $500 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card, and there's a free pasta dinner the night before to fuel your race day! Don't miss this opportunity to challenge yourself, connect with the community, and experience the thrill of the Winter Flight event in Salisbury. Sign up now and be part of this

Organiser's Description

WHEN AND WHERE
Sunday, February 1, 2026 - at Catawba College Gymnasium, Salisbury, NC. The Gymnasium is on the corner of Summit & Yost.

12:00 pm - 1:45 pm - Registration and packet pickup at the Catawba gymnasium

1:30 pm - 1/2 Mile Fun Run (please register/check-in no later than 1:20 pm in the Catawba gymnasium)
1:58 pm - Wheelchair / Ainsley's Angels (Ainsley's Angels please use code ANGELRUNNER at checkout)
2:00 pm - 5K - Run/Walk (See Course & Elevation Maps posted in menu)
2:00 pm - 8K Run - open to all runners and will also serve as the RRCA 8K NC State Championship (Course & Elevation Maps posted in menu)

2026 PRICING FOR 8K/5K:
$45 - Now - January 31, 2026
$50 - Race day price - February 1, 2026
3 Deep in 5-year Age Group Awards for Male & Female, and Finisher's medal for all 8K and 5K finishers!

All registered participants will receive a link for a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase at any Dick's Sporting Goods! And all runners registered by midnight on January 23rd receive a free entry to this year's raffle - a $500 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card!

PASTA DINNER - Saturday evening, January 31, at 6:00 p.m. Pasta, bread, desserts and drink will be available at Salisbury City Park Recreation Center (316 Lake Drive, Salisbury, NC 28145) from 5:30 7:30 p.m. The dinner is free for Salisbury Rowan Runners' members. Members family = $5. Community friends = $10. SRR memberships will be available on site. Non-race participants welcomed! Sign up here at RunSignUp or RSVP to Lynn Furr at [email protected]. The meal is provided by Debbie Suggs Catering. Charlotte Corriher will be our featured speaker [https://runsignup.com/Race/WinterFlight2016/Page/PastaDinner]! Don't miss out on this event! ***IMPORTANT - If you are a current Salisbury Rowan Runners club member, please register using code SRRDINNER at checkout (SRR members only) for free registration. If you are a member of Salisbury Rowan Runners and want to register a non-SRR family member for the dinner, use code SRRFAMILY at checkout during a separate transaction for $5 off for each family member.

EARLY CHECK-IN - Along with Salisbury Rowan Runners annual meeting festivities, late registration and early check-in / packet pickup will be available Saturday night at and registration at Salisbury City Park Recreation Center (316 Lake Drive, Salisbury, NC 28145) from 5:30 7:30 p.m. Come get your race goodies and shirt early!!

$500 DICKS SPORTING GOODS GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY: New this year is a drawing for a $500 Dicks Sporting Goods Gift Card donated by the store! ALL 8K/5K RUNNERS AND WALKERS REGISTERED BY MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 23RD will receive one free entry into the drawing. In addition, anyone donating to Rowan Helping Ministries at checkout will receive three entries into the drawing for every $10 donated (one entry for $5 donated). Tickets will also be available on site and will remain for sale until 3:30 pm on race day. The drawing will be held immediately upon completion of the awards ceremony and will conclude the 2026 Winter Flight celebration. The winner does not have to be present to win.

RACE PARKING: Please see the posted map in the menu for race-day parking. This map is used for Catawba football games. Please park in any lot marked in white for game day parking.

HEAD PHONES ARE DISCOURAGED / NO DOGS ALLOWED

In case of inclement weather on race day, visit our website for information about delays, postponement, etc. - www.salisburyrowanrunners.org [https://www.salisburyrowanrunners.org]

RACE COURSE 8K USATF (open to all runners and will also serve as the 2026 RRCA NC 8K Championship)
Certified Course starts near the Catawba College gym and ends in Catawbas Shuford Stadium. Please see 8K map posted in menu. State Champions will be the overall winners, masters, grand masters and senior grand masters winners, male and female. Winners do not have to live in NC to be the State Champion. The State Championship applies to the 8K race only (not the 5K).

8K STATE RECORDS: Anyone who is attempting a state record in the 8K must email David Freeze ([email protected]) their intention to do so. Chip timing is not allowed for a NC state record, but we will have a crew manually timing those who notify us prior to the race and check in with David Freeze on race day at Catawba. If you do not check in with David, your time may qualify, but cannot be processed through the state records. Davids number is 704-310-6741 if you have questions.

LIVE RACE RESULTS (5K & 8K): Live results will be available (link will be here on race day). 8K & 5K race results will be updated at this link once every five minutes throughout the duration of the races. Full results will be transferred to RunSignUp at the conclusion of the event.

TIMING
5K & 8K races will use chip timing. All participants will be able to get their finishing time immediately and will also have access to a personalized finish video, both linked to their bib number.

SHIRTS
Great looking long-sleeve hoodie shirt for all 8K and 5K participants (see photo here [https://runsignup.com/Race/WinterFlight2016/Page-3]).

FINISHER'S MEDAL
NEW THIS YEAR!! Finisher's medal for all 8K and 5K finishers (see medal proof here [https://runsignup.com/Race/WinterFlight2016/Page-15]).

AWARDS
8K RUN
Top 3 Overall Male & Female Runners
Top Male & Female Masters, Grandmasters, & Senior Grandmasters Runners
3 Deep Age Group Awards, Male & Female

5K RUN / WALK
Top Overall Male & Female Runners
3 Deep Age Group Awards, Male & Female

1/2 MILE FUN RUN
Top 3 Overall, Ages 12 and Under
Medals to all other Fun Run Finishers Ages 12 and Under

Overall Winners not eligible for Age Group Awards.
Awards will not be mailed. Please make arrangements to pick up.

AGE GROUPS
8K RUN
14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & over

5K RUN / WALK
14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & Over

CASH PRIZES - 8K ONLY
$750 BONUS FOR NEW 8K WF RECORDS
HANS KOELEMAN - 23:35 (1988)
JOAN NESBIT - 26:48 (1992)
$100 to First Male & Female Finisher
$25 to First Male & Female at One Mile Mark (must finish race)
$25 to First Male & Female Rowan County Finisher

Please remember that all walkers should be registered in the 5K. No walkers are allowed in the 8K due to a strict time limit of 90 minutes. We must stay on time for road openings, fire department release and timely awards ceremonies. Thank you for your cooperation.

Races

  • 8K Run

    Incl. $4.75 Fee & Long-Sleeve Lightweight Hoodie Shirt

    Sun 1st February 2026 (2:00PM EST)

    $49.75

    Check out the "Participant Information" tab on the menu for detailed information about race day (parking, check-in, awards, etc.).
  • 5K Run/Walk

    Incl. $4.75 Fee & Long-Sleeve Hoodie Shirt

    Sun 1st February 2026 (2:00PM EST)

    $49.75

    Check out the "Participant Information" tab on the menu for detailed information about race day (parking, check-in, awards, etc.).
  • Fun Run - 1/2Mile

    Sun 1st February 2026 (1:30PM EST)

    Free

    Check out the "Participant Information" tab on the menu for detailed information about race day (parking, check-in, awards, etc.).
  • Wheelchair / Ainsley's Angels 8k

    Incl. $4.75 Fee & Long-Sleeve Hoodie Shirt

    Sun 1st February 2026 (1:58PM EST)

    $49.75

    We are excited to welcome Ainsley's Angels runners and riders to Winter Flight! Ainsley's Angers runners - please register with the discount code ANGELRUNNER. You will be competitively timed against others in the 8k/5k. Riders do not need to register (they will receive a complimentary shirt at check-in!). Looking forward to seeing you all there!! Check out the "Participant Information" tab on the menu for detailed information about race day (parking, check-in, awards, etc.).
  • Wheelchair / Ainsley's Angels 5k

    Incl. $4.75 Fee & Long-Sleeve Lightweight Hoodie Shirt

    Sun 1st February 2026 (1:58PM EST)

    $49.75

    We are excited to welcome Ainsley's Angels runners and riders to Winter Flight! Ainsley's Angers runners - please register with the discount code ANGELRUNNER. You will be competitively timed against others in the 8k/5k. Riders do not need to register (they will receive a complimentary shirt at check-in!). Looking forward to seeing you all there!! Check out the "Participant Information" tab on the menu for detailed information about race day (parking, check-in, awards, etc.).
  • Winter Flight Pre-Race Pasta Dinner

    Incl. $2.25 Fee

    Sat 31st January 2026 (6:00PM EST)

    $12.25

    Pasta, salad, bread, dessert, & drinks - Dinner, entertainment, packet pickup, and race registration at and registration at Salisbury City Park Recreation Center (316 Lake Drive, Salisbury, NC 28145) from 5:30 7:30 p.m. Non-race participants welcomed! $10 for community members. Current Salisbury Rowan Runner's members are free - please RSVP to David Freeze at [email protected]. Charlotte Corriher will be our featured speaker. Check out the "Race Dinner Speaker" tab on the menu for details. You don't want to miss this event! ***IMPORTANT - If you are a current Salisbury Rowan Runners club member, please register using code SRRDINNER at checkout.

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Location

Corner of Yost Street and Summit Avenue, Salisbury, 28144, NC, United States

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