Sunset River Run
- Date Sat 23rd May 2026
- Time 7:00PM EDT
- Location Lenoir, North Carolina
- Price $6.30 - $38.10
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
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Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the Fourth Annual Sunset River Run, taking place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in the picturesque Happy Valley, NC, nestled between Lenoir and Blowing Rock. This scenic race features a 5K route that begins at Lapaz/Marshallberg Farm and winds its way along the beautiful Yadkin River, ending at the Happy Valley Filling Station. Whether you're a competitive runner aiming for awards or simply looking to enjoy a leisurely stroll in a stunning setting, this event has something for everyone!
Festivities kick off at 7:00 PM with the main race, followed by a vibrant afterparty featuring awards, craft beer, wood-fired pizza, and fantastic live music starting at 7:30 PM. Don't miss the Kids Fun Run presented by Quest 4 Life, which offers a fun half-mile course for kids 12 and under at 8:00 PM. Participants can look forward to a free beer for those 21 and older, and every kid will receive a medal upon finishing. Make sure to register by May 11 to secure your official event T-shirt, and join us for a night of fun, fitness, and celebration in the heart of the Foothills!
Festivities kick off at 7:00 PM with the main race, followed by a vibrant afterparty featuring awards, craft beer, wood-fired pizza, and fantastic live music starting at 7:30 PM. Don't miss the Kids Fun Run presented by Quest 4 Life, which offers a fun half-mile course for kids 12 and under at 8:00 PM. Participants can look forward to a free beer for those 21 and older, and every kid will receive a medal upon finishing. Make sure to register by May 11 to secure your official event T-shirt, and join us for a night of fun, fitness, and celebration in the heart of the Foothills!
Organiser's Description
_A BEAUTIFUL VALLEY. A TRANQUIL RIVER. A SCENIC ROUTE. A FUN AFTERPARTY. CHECK, CHECK, CHECK AND CHECK! WELCOME TO THE FOURTH ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN. WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING TO RUN HARD AND COMPETE FOR AWARDS OR YOU ARE MORE INTO AN EVENING STROLL ALONG THE YADKIN RIVER, THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU! SUNSET RIVER RUN TAKES PLACE IN PEACEFUL HAPPY VALLEY, NC (BETWEEN LENOIR & BLOWING ROCK). _
_THE 5K ROUTE IS POINT TO POINT BEGINNING AT LAPAZ / MARSHALLBERG FARM (3232 INDIAN GRAVE RD, LENOIR, NC) AND ENDING AT HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION (1275 HIGHWAY 268, LENOIR, NC). _
_AFTER YOU COMPLETE YOUR RUN, IT'S TIME TO LET GO AND CELEBRATE WITH AWARDS, CRAFT BEER, WOOD-FIRED PIZZA AND AMAZING LIVE MUSIC! EVERY PARTICIPANT (21+) WILL RECEIVE A FREE BEER FROM HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK! THE KIDS RUN PRESENTED BY QUEST 4 LIFE WILL FIRE OFF AT 8:00 PM. _
_REGISTER BY MAY 11 TO GUARANTEE YOUR SIZE OF THE OFFICIAL FOURTH ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN T-SHIRT DESIGNED BY IMAGE 420 IN ASHEVILLE NC! _
_*NOTE TO PARTICIPANTS: THE COURSE IS 90% HARDTOP AND 10% NATURAL SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THE RACE IS ON A PUBLIC, YET LOW TRAFFIC HARD TOP SECONDARY ROAD BUT THE ROUTE DOES TRAVERSE A MOWED GRASS FIELD._
EVENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY (5/22) - PRE RACE PACKET PICK UP (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM); HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION (1275 NC-268, LENOIR, NC)
SATURDAY (5/23) - ON SITE REGISTRATION & PACKET PICK UP (5:30 PM - 6:45 PM); STARTING LINE AT LAPAZ / MARSHALLBERG FARM (3232 INDIAN GRAVE RD, LENOIR, NC)
START OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN (7:00 PM)
AFTER RACE PARTY BEGINS AT THE OUTSIDE STAGE (7:30 PM)
SHUTTLES AVAILABLE TO RETURN RUNNERS BACK TO THEIR CARS AT THE STARTING LINE PARKING AREA (7:30 PM)
START OF THE KIDS FUN RUN PRESENTED BY QUEST 4 LIFE (8:00 PM)
AWARDS FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN (8:15 PM)
PARKING
*RUNNERS ARE REQUIRED TO PARK AT THE STARTING LINE AREA ( LAPAZ / MARSHALLBERG FARM (3232 INDIAN GRAVE RD, LENOIR, NC)
*FAMILIES OF RUNNERS, FRIENDS, GUESTS, SPECTATORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO PARK AT HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION (1275 NC-268, LENOIR, NC) OR AT THE STARTING LINE AREA ( LAPAZ / MARSHALLBERG FARM (3232 INDIAN GRAVE RD, LENOIR, NC)
SHUTTLE
A PRERACE COURTESY SHUTTLE WILL RUN FROM THE START LINE AREA TO THE HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION AT 6:45 PM AND 7:05 PM FOR THOSE WISHING TO PARK THERE AND GET TO THE FINISH LINE BEFORE THE FIRST RUNNERS CROSS. RETURN SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM THE FINISH LINE AT HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION TO THE START LINE AREA WILL BEGIN AT 7:30 PM TO RETURN RUNNERS AND THEIR GUESTS BACK TO THEIR VEHICLES. THE SHUTTLE WILL MAKE THE TRIP BETWEEN THE TWO POINTS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 20 MINUTES UNTIL 10:00 PM.
GEARCHECK
A GEAR CHECK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RUNNERS TO CHECK ITEMS THEY WISH TO HAVE TRANSFERRED TO THE FINISH LINE AREA SUCH AS WARM CLOTHING. PLEASE NO HIGH VALUE ITEMS!
FOURTH ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
* Top 3 Overall Male / Female (Winner - Custom Trophy + $45 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate , 2nd - Custom Trophy + $35 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate , 3rd - Custom Trophy + $25 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate)
* Top 2 Male / Female Master (40 & Over) (Winner - Custom Trophy + $25 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate, 2nd - Custom Trophy + $20 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate)
*Top 3 Male / Female Age Groups (Winner - Custom Gold Finished Medal, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal, 3rd - Custom Bronze Finished Medal) 14 and 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+
THE KIDS FUN RUN PRESENTED BY QUEST 4 LIFE is for kids age 12 and younger. The race is a 1/2 mile course that begins and ends at the Sunset River Run Finish Line (At the Happy Valley Filling Station). Cost for the race is $5 in advance and $10 on raceday. Every participant receives a medal as they cross the finish line and a custom bib. This non-timed event will begin after the 5k at 8:00 pm.
THE FOURTH ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN IS THE FIRST RACE IN THE FOOTHILLS RUN SERIES PRESENTED BY UNC ORTHO. THE OTHER RACES SCHEDULED IN THE SERIES ARE THE INAUGURAL CRACK OF DAWN DASH (JUL 11) - LENOIR, NC; SOUTHERN SUNDOWN 4 MILER (AUG 15) - LENOIR, NC; HAPPY VALLEY HUMDINGER (OCT 24) - HAPPY VALLEY, NC AND DIRTY SANTA TRAIL RUN (DEC 12) - LENOIR, NC. THE TOP 2 MALE / TOP 2 FEMALE / TOP 2 MASTERS MALE / TOP 2 MASTERS FEMALE OF THE 5 RACE SERIES WILL RECEIVE SPECIAL CUSTOM AWARDS BASED ON THEIR BEST 4 FINISHES IN THE 5 RACES, TO BE PRESENTED AFTER THE FINAL RACE.
_THE 5K ROUTE IS POINT TO POINT BEGINNING AT LAPAZ / MARSHALLBERG FARM (3232 INDIAN GRAVE RD, LENOIR, NC) AND ENDING AT HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION (1275 HIGHWAY 268, LENOIR, NC). _
_AFTER YOU COMPLETE YOUR RUN, IT'S TIME TO LET GO AND CELEBRATE WITH AWARDS, CRAFT BEER, WOOD-FIRED PIZZA AND AMAZING LIVE MUSIC! EVERY PARTICIPANT (21+) WILL RECEIVE A FREE BEER FROM HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK! THE KIDS RUN PRESENTED BY QUEST 4 LIFE WILL FIRE OFF AT 8:00 PM. _
_REGISTER BY MAY 11 TO GUARANTEE YOUR SIZE OF THE OFFICIAL FOURTH ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN T-SHIRT DESIGNED BY IMAGE 420 IN ASHEVILLE NC! _
_*NOTE TO PARTICIPANTS: THE COURSE IS 90% HARDTOP AND 10% NATURAL SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THE RACE IS ON A PUBLIC, YET LOW TRAFFIC HARD TOP SECONDARY ROAD BUT THE ROUTE DOES TRAVERSE A MOWED GRASS FIELD._
EVENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY (5/22) - PRE RACE PACKET PICK UP (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM); HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION (1275 NC-268, LENOIR, NC)
SATURDAY (5/23) - ON SITE REGISTRATION & PACKET PICK UP (5:30 PM - 6:45 PM); STARTING LINE AT LAPAZ / MARSHALLBERG FARM (3232 INDIAN GRAVE RD, LENOIR, NC)
START OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN (7:00 PM)
AFTER RACE PARTY BEGINS AT THE OUTSIDE STAGE (7:30 PM)
SHUTTLES AVAILABLE TO RETURN RUNNERS BACK TO THEIR CARS AT THE STARTING LINE PARKING AREA (7:30 PM)
START OF THE KIDS FUN RUN PRESENTED BY QUEST 4 LIFE (8:00 PM)
AWARDS FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN (8:15 PM)
PARKING
*RUNNERS ARE REQUIRED TO PARK AT THE STARTING LINE AREA ( LAPAZ / MARSHALLBERG FARM (3232 INDIAN GRAVE RD, LENOIR, NC)
*FAMILIES OF RUNNERS, FRIENDS, GUESTS, SPECTATORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO PARK AT HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION (1275 NC-268, LENOIR, NC) OR AT THE STARTING LINE AREA ( LAPAZ / MARSHALLBERG FARM (3232 INDIAN GRAVE RD, LENOIR, NC)
SHUTTLE
A PRERACE COURTESY SHUTTLE WILL RUN FROM THE START LINE AREA TO THE HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION AT 6:45 PM AND 7:05 PM FOR THOSE WISHING TO PARK THERE AND GET TO THE FINISH LINE BEFORE THE FIRST RUNNERS CROSS. RETURN SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM THE FINISH LINE AT HAPPY VALLEY FILLING STATION TO THE START LINE AREA WILL BEGIN AT 7:30 PM TO RETURN RUNNERS AND THEIR GUESTS BACK TO THEIR VEHICLES. THE SHUTTLE WILL MAKE THE TRIP BETWEEN THE TWO POINTS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 20 MINUTES UNTIL 10:00 PM.
GEARCHECK
A GEAR CHECK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RUNNERS TO CHECK ITEMS THEY WISH TO HAVE TRANSFERRED TO THE FINISH LINE AREA SUCH AS WARM CLOTHING. PLEASE NO HIGH VALUE ITEMS!
FOURTH ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
* Top 3 Overall Male / Female (Winner - Custom Trophy + $45 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate , 2nd - Custom Trophy + $35 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate , 3rd - Custom Trophy + $25 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate)
* Top 2 Male / Female Master (40 & Over) (Winner - Custom Trophy + $25 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate, 2nd - Custom Trophy + $20 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate)
*Top 3 Male / Female Age Groups (Winner - Custom Gold Finished Medal, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal, 3rd - Custom Bronze Finished Medal) 14 and 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+
THE KIDS FUN RUN PRESENTED BY QUEST 4 LIFE is for kids age 12 and younger. The race is a 1/2 mile course that begins and ends at the Sunset River Run Finish Line (At the Happy Valley Filling Station). Cost for the race is $5 in advance and $10 on raceday. Every participant receives a medal as they cross the finish line and a custom bib. This non-timed event will begin after the 5k at 8:00 pm.
THE FOURTH ANNUAL SUNSET RIVER RUN IS THE FIRST RACE IN THE FOOTHILLS RUN SERIES PRESENTED BY UNC ORTHO. THE OTHER RACES SCHEDULED IN THE SERIES ARE THE INAUGURAL CRACK OF DAWN DASH (JUL 11) - LENOIR, NC; SOUTHERN SUNDOWN 4 MILER (AUG 15) - LENOIR, NC; HAPPY VALLEY HUMDINGER (OCT 24) - HAPPY VALLEY, NC AND DIRTY SANTA TRAIL RUN (DEC 12) - LENOIR, NC. THE TOP 2 MALE / TOP 2 FEMALE / TOP 2 MASTERS MALE / TOP 2 MASTERS FEMALE OF THE 5 RACE SERIES WILL RECEIVE SPECIAL CUSTOM AWARDS BASED ON THEIR BEST 4 FINISHES IN THE 5 RACES, TO BE PRESENTED AFTER THE FINAL RACE.
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1275 HWY 268, Lenoir, 28645, NC, United States
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