On the eve of my birthday (let’s just call it 29), I’ve been considering trying my luck at a 5K race. I’ve never done one before, but it’s on my list (along with Paris, hang gliding and producing my own Rosé). I figure, how hard can a 5K be? It’s just over three miles. No biggie.
Then I heard about Asheville Brewing Company’s Night of the Ninja 5k Run, slated for Saturday, May 26 at 7 p.m. That’s right: an evening run. Usually races start at the crack of dawn, concluding by the time most of us are considering rolling out of bed. The Ninja, however, is a twilight dash, which is perfect timing for those who don’t want to get sweaty but plan on lending their support while sitting at the Brewery’s 77 Coxe Ave. location testing the newly released Ninja Porter.
In fact, the lure of beer is my main selling point in convincing family and friends to cheer me on.
Yesterday I walked the race route, a circuitous path that wends (twice, actually) through parts of Asheville rarely seen by most of us. Ever heard of Banks or Buxton Ave.? How about Phifer or Morgan St.? Yeah, neither had I.
The Ninja 5K makes its way through downtown’s industrial section (much of which has been or is being renovated, I discovered) and a cute neighborhood of 1950s-era ranchers sandwiched between Asheland and South French Broad. Interesting landscape, but, revitalization aside, not exactly territory where one would want to wind up alone after twilight. Added motivation, I suppose, to not fall to the back of the pack of runners.
Still, the Ninja 5K seems the most Asheville-like of sporting events. The lazy hour, the proximity to microbrew (the first 100 runners to sign up receive commemorative pint glasses, and all runners get tokens good for pints of beer) and the good cause underlying it all: Proceeds benefit Children First.
Entry fee is $25 day of the race. Info: 808-0760 or ninja5krace@gmail.com.
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
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