Coon Dog Day 5k

Saluda, NC

Coon Dog Day 5K

The 5K will be better than ever! Plan to stay for the daylong festival of crafts, food, music and quirky small town fun.

Saturday, July 11, 2026  ·  McCreery Park, Downtown Saluda, NC

About the Race

The Coon Dog Day 5K is hosted by and raises funds for the Polk County High School Cadets marching band. The run begins in McCreery Park beside Main Street.

The Coon Dog Day 5K includes chip timing for all participants. The KIDS' Fun Run with clock timing and a new route for the kids is back.

Race Day Details

Date Saturday, July 11, 2026 Location McCreery Park, corner of Main Street and Greenville Street in the middle of downtown Saluda, NC 28773 Packet Pickup Friday night before the race, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Saluda Inn, 229 Greenville St., Saluda. Follow the packet pick-up signs. Race Day Check-In Looking Glass Realty, 108 East Main St., beside the post office

The Events

Race Morning Timeline

7:45 AM Pre-race announcements and course briefing 8:00 AM Coon Dog Day 5K starts 8:05 AM Coon Puppies' Fun Run starts 8:55 AM Awards (results are live on the race page as runners finish) 9:15 AM Course closes

Times are based on the start times above.

Packet Pickup and Check-In

• Free gourmet trail mix at packet pickup!
• Please pick up your race bib and t-shirt (if applicable) at the Saluda Inn on Friday night.
• All registration will be online through the RunSignUp page. No paper forms for late/walkup registration, so bring a phone. You can register until the race starts with a phone.

Course

The start/finish line is on Main Street. The 5K follows the traditional Coon Dog Day 5K route.

Parking

• 5K parking is available only until 9:30 AM at the First Baptist Church, the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration and Saluda United Methodist Church, for the race only. If you want to stay for Coon Dog Day, please move your car out of those lots by 9:30 AM (the shuttle will bring you from the festival parking lot at that time).
• Parking is also available at the Saluda Elementary School back (bus) parking lot on Seminary Street (short walk to the start line on Main Street), and there's no rush to leave the school lot.

T-Shirts

If you'd like to guarantee a t-shirt, be sure to register by !

Race Awards

Awards are given by age groups.

Overall: 1st place male and 1st place female.

• 0-7
• 8-10
• 11-13
• 14-16
• 17-19

• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70-79
• 80+

Race Policies

• Rain or shine: the race goes on in any weather. If lightning or severe weather makes it unsafe, the start may be delayed.
• No refunds: all registrations are final.
• Race-day registration: open on your phone until the race starts.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Race Day Photos

Let's Stay Connected

We sure do appreciate our sponsors. We couldn't do this without them!

We hope you can join us as a sponsor and/or runner at the Coon Dog Day 5K!