Race had athletes running for the roses

The 18th Annual Valentine 5K event was a huge success!

We had a record number of participants for the 5K event, with 231 runners completing the race. The Kids 1/2 Mile Fun Run had 61 participants complete one lap around Lake Tomahawk, with everyone receiving a medal. The Wellness Expo also received a lot of visitors to the different booths and registering for great prizes.

We know that the beautiful, un-February like weather played a huge role in the attendance of this event. There were no complaints from anyone about the 65-degree day and being able to wear shorts!

Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and participants.

The first Swannanoa Valley resident across the finish line was 17-year-old Vance Stiles, a Black Mountain resident who finished the course in 18:45.28 minutes, averaging 6:02-minute miles. The first Valley female was Hannah Feinsilber, 17, of Black Mountain, who ran it in 21:56.77 minutes ((7:04 minute average mile).

The overall winner was Joe Ainsworth, 28, of Asheville, who ran the race in 17:32.64 minutes (average 5:39 minutes per mile).