SPORTS

Asheville bursting with 5K races this weekend

Karen Chávez
kchavez@gannett.com

Whether your tastes run toward a spicy falafel, or a sweet peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or you just like to run with the dogs, there's a race with your name on it in the Asheville area this weekend. Pick one and go!

Hundreds participated in the Asheville Jewish Community Center's last Falafel 5K. The race will be Sunday in North Asheville.

PB&J 5K:

The Junior Welfare Club of Hendersonville and Kimberly-Clark present the annual PB&J 5K race Saturday, April 25, at Camp Ton-A-Wonda. After completing a scenic cross country trail run, participants will enjoy delicious PB&J sandwiches, awards and door prizes at the finish line.

The race is a benefit the group's mission of improving the lives of women and children including providing Christmas gifts for each special needs classroom in Henderson County, mentoring teen girls at the Boys and Girls Club, assisting Helping Hands Developmental Center, and sponsoring local Back Pack programs, and the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County.

Raced-day registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and pre-race warm up starts at 8:30 a.m. The 5K race starts at 9 a.m. The One-Mile Fun Run/Walk starts at 10 a.m. Entry fees at www.active.com are $25 for the 5K race and $10 for the walk.

For more information, call 828-551-0200 or visit www.juniorwelfareofhendersonville.org.

Jet Jolt 5K and One-Mile Run

The inaugural Jet Jolt 5K Race and One-Mile Run will start at 8:30 a.m. April 25 at Enka High School Cross Country Track, 475 Enka Lake Road.

Proceeds will benefit Sand Hill Venable Elementary School to buy much-needed school supplies.

The fast, flat course will be around the Enka High School campus. Prizes of gift certificates to Jus' Running will go to first, second and third overall male and female finishers and there will be artwork awards for age group winners.
Entry fee is $30. For more information, visit http://communityfitnessevents.com/jet-jolt-5k-1-mile-fun-run/.

Jeff Hewitt Memorial Run 5K:

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is hosting the Jeff Hewitt 5K and Memorial Walk, which will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 25, and end at the Wellness Center located at the heart of the Cliff at Walnut Cove. The Memorial Walk will start at 8:15 a.m.

The course will take the runner through the rolling hills and past the lagoon which make up a small part of the natural beauty of the course. The event is in honor of Buncombe County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jeff Hewitt, who was killed in the line of duty on April 4, 2004.

Entry fees at www.imathlete.com are $30 for the 5K race and $15 for the Memorial Walk. For more information, call Cindy Douthit at 828-250-4453.

JCC Falafel 5K:

The Asheville JCC Falafel 5K and Kids Fun Run, sponsored by Mission Health, is Sunday, April 26, followed by a celebration at 229 Murdock Ave. in North Asheville.

The Falafel 5K commemorates Israel Independence Day, as does the annual Celebration Israel Festival & Expo. Participants in the 5K and Fun Run receive a coupon for a free falafel sandwich at Celebration Israel to be enjoyed following the race.

Celebration Israel is held across the street from Weaver Park, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. the day of the race.

Expect Israeli street food, music and dancing, a free Kids' Play Zone and presentations highlighting the innovative modern state of Israel. Entry fee is $30.

For more information, visit www.jcc-asheville.org/around-the-jcc/falafel-5k-kids-fun-run-sunday-april-26th/.

Run for the Paws 5K

The sixth annual Run for the Paws 5K Run/1 Mile Walk returns to Fletcher Park, 85 Howard Gap Road, Sunday, April 26, where dogs are not only allowed, they are expected.

The event includes a Wagging Wellness Fair starting at 1 p.m. The 5K race starts at 1:30 p.m. and the Fun Walk starts at 2:30 p.m. The event includes live music, food, and family-friendly games and educational activities, prizes for top human and canine finishers, vendor booths and information from animal-friendly businesses and nonprofits, and Brother Wolf dogs and cats available for adoption.

The event is a benefit for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.

Register online at idaph.net and www.bwar.org. Entry fees are $30 for the Mile Fun Run/Walk and $35 for the 5K through race day.