Black Mountain Valentine's Day 5K returns in February

The Black Mountain Recreation & Parks Department presents the Valentine's Day 5K run starting on Feb. 12 at Lake Tomahawk.

"It started out as basically the only 5K in the winter," said Clint Bowman, the recreation coordinator for the department. "It's a pretty long-running event for us."

Bowman said the 5K has been held annually for more than 15 years. After holding the run virtually last year due to the pandemic, the run returns in-person in February. 

Before the race, the department holds a kids fun run consisting of one lap around the lake. 

Donations for the fun run and 50% of race registration proceeds go to the Black Mountain Home for Children. 

Participants can pick up a race packet the day before the run. Keeping with the theme, runners have the option of running individually or in pairs. Bowman said the department allows different combinations of runners such as friends or siblings and doesn't require pairs to be couples. 

Beginning at Lake Tomahawk, the race typically utilizes town greenways, but due to lasting storm damage, the race will go up and around town roads. Winners receive gift certificates to local businesses in town.

Participants of the race or the kids fun run can sign up online through runsignup.com/Race/NC/BlackMountain/Valentine5K.