RUFF, RUFF, RUN 5K AND DOG FESTIVAL will be held on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, RACE START TIME 11:00 AM, AT WINKLER PARK LOCATED AT 2500 CLEMENT BLVD, HICKORY, NC 28601. Whether you are joining us for fun or competing to be Top Dawg on the podium, you and your dog will bond as you negotiate our trails together! This course will consist of paved portions and off road trails that include hills, descents, tight turns, roots, rocks and other trail type features.

This race will be the fourth in a Grand Prix Series of five themed 5k races throughout this year at various Parks in Hickory, NC. Participants earn points based on their finishing position in each individual 5k race within the series. Your earned points accumulate over the series races which determines your overall standing for the Grand Prix Series. Awards and Prizes will be given at each race for top 3 in each category and top 3 overall male and female runners per race. Additionally, there will be Awards and Prizes for Series top 3 in each category as well as top 3 point leaders overall.

RACE RULES: Running with a dog (IF YOU ARE RUNNING WITHOUT A DOG PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE WILL PLACE YOU WITH JUST RUNNERS):

Must have proof of Rabies vaccination for competing dog.
Must maintain control of the dog for the duration of the race.
All dogs must be on a fixed length leash. It is recommended for dogs to have a full harness.
You must clean up after your dog
We have specific bandanas if you have a reactive dog
The start of the 5k will be staggered. Finish times will be based off your time when you pass the Starting Line until you pass the Finish Line. Keep in mind the first person to pass the Finish Line may not be the fastest participant.

PACKET PICK-UP: Friday, September 26th from 9am-5:30 pm at Highland Recreation Center-1451 8th Street Drive NE, Hickory, NC 28601.

DOG FESTIVAL:

The day is not just about running, walking or hiking on the trail. Join us for the RUFF, RUFF, RUN DOG FESTIVAL FROM 10 AM - 1 PM. Spectators, friends and family encouraged.

DOG FESTIVAL area is FREE to the public
Yoga with your dog - Post race
Food trucks
Dog vendors with local craftsmen and dog products throughout.
Dog Obedience demos, tips and class offering

T-SHIRTS: A custom designed Ruff, Ruff, Run 5K T-shirt is included with your registration up to 11:59 pm, Sunday, September 14. Those who register AFTER 11:59 pm on Sunday, September 14th will receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last.

SEE: SERIES DETAILS BELOW

PACKET PICK-UP: Highland Recreation Center, Friday, September 26th from 8:00 am-5:00 pm.

Participants can also pick up their packets between 7:00 am-7:30 am on the day of the race, at race registration.

IF YOU ARE RACING IN THE HICKORY 5K SERIES KEEP YOUR BIB NUMBER FOR EACH RACE. YOU WILL BE CHARGED A $5.00 FEE FOR A NEW BIB NUMBER ASSIGNMENT IF LOST OR FORGOTTEN.

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)

Additional T-Shirts can be purchased and are available while supplies last.

AWARDS, SCORING & RULES:

The Hickory 5K Grand Prix Running Series uses a point system based on results from each race. Runners who score in the top overall or top age group positions receive points at each of our five races. The top 3 male and female runners in their respective age categories and overall top 3 males & females receive awards, merchandise and gift certificates! Hickory 5K Grand Prix 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)


RULES:

Every participant must run with the official bib number assigned. If you are racing in the Hickory 5k Series keep your Bib number for each race. You will be charged a $5.00 fee for a new Bib number assignment if lost or forgotten. Be sure to look at the label affixed to your number to check that your information is correct and that you are wearing the number assigned to you. Switching or selling a bib is prohibited without prior/explicit authorization of a race official. Having another person run with your assigned bib is forbidden. Your race number is required to always be visible during the race and attached to the FRONT of your shirt/shorts. This position is where the bib is most visible to photographers, race officials, video, chip timing equipment, and manual backup timing methods.

If you are not registered for the race, you are not allowed to participate in that event. Bandits are strictly prohibited. A bandit is anyone who participates in an event without registering and without a race number. This is not only a safety issue (as race officials are unable to identify bandits in the case of an emergency), but also a drain on course resources for paying participants. If caught, bandits will be asked to leave the course immediately. Banditing may also impact a participants eligibility to participate in future races.

Participants must complete the entire course under his/her own power. If it is deemed that a participant did not complete the entire course under his/her own power, the participant will not be eligible for awards and will be removed from the official results, DNF (Did Not Finish).

No participant in the race will be allowed to be paced or given unauthorized aid by a person not officially entered in the race, whether on foot or by any other means, including bicycles, mopeds, scooters, motorized vehicles, etc. Unauthorized assistance is grounds for disqualification. However, someone may be paced by another official participant provided that both participants abide by all race rules.

Any participant responsible for jostling, running across, or obstructing another participant as to impede his or her progress shall be liable for disqualification from that event.

No participant shall use any equipment which is determined to be improper by a race official, including but not limited to equipment that might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants.

Any participant who refuses to obey the directions of any event official, city official, or course marshal; conducts himself/herself in an unsportsmanlike manner; or is offensive by action or language to officials, volunteers, participants, or spectators may be disqualified by the event and from future participation, at the discretion of race officials.

All runners have a collective responsibility to keep the event safe. Races generally discourage running with strollers or headphones. If you run with a stroller, you must start at the back of the start group and yield to all other participants. If you must run with headphones, please keep the volume low enough to hear vehicular traffic and instructions from law enforcement officers, volunteers, and race officials. Running with an animal is prohibited unless specifically and explicitly allowed by race officials.

Anyone wishing to participate in a race utilizing a wheelchair, hand cycle, other mobility assistance device or a service animal must contact race officials no less than 4 weeks before race day.