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The Asheville Track Club welcomes runners from across the country for its 31st Bele Chere 5K. The Mission of the Asheville Track Club is to promote and support the running communities of Western North Carolina by providing information, education, training, social and sporting events for competitive and non-competitive runners and walkers of all ages, races, genders and abilities.

To join the Asheville Track Club click here or go www.ashevilletrackclub.org for more information.

FitFamilies, the Asheville Track Club's latest program, targets busy families desiring a budget-friendly, age-appropriate fitness program suitable for every family member.
 
For our first season, FitFamilies has partnered with ATC's popular Beginning Runner's Program, which meets at beautiful and flat Carrier Park in West Asheville every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7pm.  While parents/caregivers train for the Bele Chere 5K with their running/walking coaches, the children train for the Bele Chere fun run by playing various running field games.  The soft chip trails and open fields of Carrier Park create the perfect environment for family fitness fun!  Many of our families pack a basket and picnic together, enjoying a healthy meal together after a solid workout! 
 
Come out and see what the buzz is all about!  It's not too late to get ready for Bele Chere.  Beginning Runner's Program : $20/person.  FitFamilies Active Childcare:  price varies according to start.  Email kellyallenasheville@gmail.com for details.
If you are looking for another great road race this fall, the Asheville Track Club also produces the Thomas Wolfe 8K, which starts and finishes in front of the writer's boyhood home.  For race information, click HERE.
Sponsors

Presented by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Race Date: Saturday, July 28 - 7:30 a.m.

New Location & New Course from Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville

Registration

Registration for the 2012 Bele Chere 5K Presented by Southeastern Sports Medicine and Fit Families Fun Run is now open.  Click HERE to go to the registration site at IM Athlete.  

Please note if you registered for the Asheville Track Club Triple Crown, your name will appear on that list at IM Athlete but not on the list of the Bele Chere 5K or Thomas Wolfe 8K.

Entry Fees

Bele Chere 5K

Opening through May 31 - $25; June 1- July 25 - $30 (Additional service charges applied for online registration)

Race Day Entry Fee (Friday & Saturday) - $35

Current members of the Asheville Track Club will receive a $3 discount off the 5K entry fee through a discount code that can be used with online registration.  Members will receive this code from an E Newsletter sent prior to the start of registration.  This code can only be used once per person and is not valid for on-site registration on Friday or Saturday.

Military organizations, businesses, and non-profit clubs and organizations may receive the group entry fee of $20 provided all entries are mailed in the same envelope and paid for with the same check.  Click HERE to download the Group Entry Form.  Entries must be received by June 30 and will not be accepted at Packet Pickup/Late Registration.  Group entry is not available on line.

The entry fee for the Fit Families Fun Run is $8.  Everyone running in the race must register for this event or the 5K.

Venue & Course

After five years at historic McCormick Field, the Bele Chere 5K and Fit Families Fun Run will move to downtown Asheville and the new Pack Square Park.  The race will be adjacent to Asheville's famous festival and the new course will have more running inside the festival boundary then ever before.  The new location is close to numerous parking garages making it much more convenient than the past.

See the new course map HERE.

Click HERE to see the elevation profile.

The course will be USATF certified.

Refunds/Substitutions

There will be no refund of entry fees. You may receive a credit of 50% of your entry fee towards the 2013 race by going to the race site at www.IMAthlete.com and requesting a credit before July 16. Substitutions will be allowed with written permission (e-mail acceptable) of the person no longer running up until Monday, July 16, 2012.

Race Shirts

The first 1,600 registrants will receive the 2012 Bele Chere 5K race shirt.  Each year the shirt is based on the poster for the Bele Chere festival.  The 2012 design will be released in June 2012.

Prize Money

TBA

Charities

One dollar from every entry will go to the Asheville Track Club's Shoe Fund, which provides running shoes to disadvantaged students in Asheville and Buncombe County.  An additional dollar will be donated to the ARC of Buncombe County which exists to empower persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities and their families to realize their highest potential through advocacy, education, and development of programs. 

Over the past four years, over $11,000 has been donated to these funds.

Race Schedule

Friday, July 27

4:00-7:00 pm        Packet Pick Up/Late Registration - Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, Max Street

Saturday, July 28

5:30-7:00 am   Packet Pick Up/Late Registration - Pack Square Park                                         

5:30-8:00 am   Fun Run Registration - Pack Square Park

7:15 am      Assemble for 5K Start - College Street

7:30 am      5K Start - College Street

8:15 am      Assemble for Fun Run Start - TBA

8:30 am      Fun Run Start

9:00 am     5K Awards Ceremony - Pack Square Park Stage

Timing/Results

The 2012 Bele Chere 5K Presented by Southeastern Sports Medicine will utilize electronic timing.  A start pad will record all runners as they cross the start line.  Per USA Track & Field rules, awards will be based on gun time.

Results will be posted on this web site by Sunday, July 29th. 

Child Care

TBA

Awards

Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers for
Overall, Masters and Grand Masters.  

Age group awards will go to the first, second and third male and female in the following age groups: 12 & Under, 13-15, 16-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34,35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84 and 85 & Over. No double dipping! 

You or a friend must pick up your award.  Awards will not be mailed!

Special prizes will be given away to the 100th, 250th, 400th, 700th and 1000th finisher of the race during the awards ceremony.  You must be present to receive your prize.

Safety

No dogs, no strollers, no baby joggers, no bikes, no in-line skates, no roller skates and no wheeled vehicles will be allowed on-course.

For the safety of all, in accordance with RRCA Guidelines (Road Runners Clubs of America), the use of headphones is discouraged.

Festival

The Asheville Track Club is proud to be a partner with the City of Asheville to produce this event as part of Bele Chere.  For more information on the Southeast's largest free outdoor festival, click here.

Volunteer

The Bele Chere 5K would not be possible without the assistance of many volunteers.  If you or your organization would like to be a part of Western North Carolina's largest road race, please contact Greg Duff at 828-400-5868 or complete this Volunteer Form.

Race Photography

We are pleased to have Carolina Snapshot Sports Photography back as our race photographer for 2012.  All racers will receive information on how to view and purchase pictures as part of their pre-race information and by post-race email.

Directions

Click HERE to download directions to both Packet Pick Up and Pack Square Park.


Past Results

2011  Overall         Age Group    

2010:       Male                 Female

                Male Age Group        Female Age Group

2009:       Male                 Female

2008:       Male                 Female

2007:       Male                 Female

Information

Please call (828) 400-5868 or e-mail greg@gloryhoundevents.com for all race related questions.

Click HERE for answers to some Frequently Asked Questions.