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

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
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:
$35 - Early bird pricing through December 22, 2025
$45 - December 23, 2025 - January 31, 2026
$50 - Race day price - February 1, 2026
3 Deep Age Group Awards, Male & Female

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.  Member’s family = $5.  Community friends = $10.  SRR memberships will be available on site.  Non-race participants welcomed!  RSVP to David Freeze at david.freeze@ctc.net or 704-310-6741.  The meal is provided by Debbie Suggs Catering.  Charlotte Corriher will be our featured speaker!  Don't miss out on this event!

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!!

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

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 Catawba’s 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 (david.freeze@ctc.net) 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. David’s 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). 

FINISHER'S MEDAL
NEW THIS YEAR!!  Finisher's medal for all 8K and 5K participants (see medal proof here). 

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.