39th annual Thomas Wolfe 8k to be held October 17

The 39th annual “Thomas Wolfe 8k” run, Asheville’s oldest running event, hits the pavement on October 17, according to a press release from event organizers. Proceeds from this year’s race will go towards supporting the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Read to Succeed and the Buncombe County Literacy Council.

The run/walk begins at 10 a.m. in front of the Thomas Wolfe House at 52 North Market Street in downtown Asheville. Participants will snake their way through downtown and the Historic Montford District, passing many of Asheville’s historic sites and buildings along the way — including the Riverside Cemetery grave site of Asheville native Thomas Wolfe — before winding back to the finish line at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

Handcrafted awards from Kung Fu Clay will be given to the top three male and female runners in three separate categories: the plus-40 Masters Division, the plus-50 Grandmasters Division, and the the top overall finishers. In addition, runners placing in the top three in each age division will receive a commemorative Thomas Wolfe 8k pint glass.

Fifty dollar cash prizes are also up for grabs for the first male and female participants to complete the first mile of the race, third mile, and final leg, with the official awards ceremony taking place at 11:30 am at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

All participants over 21 years of age will receive a beer voucher ticket from either Catawba Brewing Company or Sierra Nevada and will also be given a 15 percent off coupon for Mellow Mushroom, which can be redeemed anytime before Oct. 23.

In addition to the race and award ceremony, local Americana group the Shifty Drifters will play live at the Thomas Wolfe House during the event.

Residents can register for the Oct. 17 run/walk online at raceroster.com/events/2015/5047/thomas-wolfe-8k or at the Thomas Wolfe House the day of the race. Registration fees range from $35-$40 for adults and $30 for children. The race is capped at 600 runners total, and pets and strollers are prohibited for event participants.

Sponsors for this year’s Thomas Wolfe 8k include iHeartMedia Asheville, Keller Williams Team Browne, Jus’ Running, Teague Campbell, Neo Snacks, Doc Chey’s, H2Pro, Earth Fare, Sunny Point Cafe, Homegrown, HomeTrust Bank, Roots Hummus, Griffin Waste Services and The Runner’s Mechanic, among others.

For more information on the 29th Annual Thomas Wolfe 8k, how to register or to check out volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, check out thomaswolfe8k.com or see the official press release below.

Press release:

For immediate release: The 39th running of the Thomas Wolfe 8k

Asheville’s oldest and most prestigious running event, the Thomas Wolfe 8K is back and in its 39th year! The only race presented by the Asheville Track Club’s in 2015 will also benefit the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Read to Succeed, and the Buncombe County Literacy Council.

With the mountains of Western North Carolina just beginning to peak of autumn color, this beautiful run/walk highlights many of Asheville’s historic sites! Runners start on the brick sidewalk in front of the Thomas Wolfe House at 52 N Market St. and wind through downtown; passing the Masonic Temple which was built in 1913, and the Basilica of St. Lawrence which opened in 1905, before crossing into the Historic Montford District.

The course then flows along Flint Street, Cumberland Avenue and Montford Avenue, past beautiful private Victorian houses and bed & breakfasts, including the Black Walnut Inn, which was built in 1899 by the supervising architect of the Biltmore Estate. Runners will also enjoy the shady path of the Reed Creek Greenway. The highlight, however, for most runners of the TW8K, will be the section through Riverside Cemetery where they will run past the final resting place of Asheville’s literary hometown favorite, Thomas Wolfe.

Custom crafted awards by Kung Fu Clay will be awarded to the top three male and female overall finishers, to the top male and female in the Masters Division (40+), and to the top male and female in the Grandmasters Division (50+).

Thomas Wolfe 8k pint glasses will also be awarded to the top three finishers in each of the following age divisions: 13 and under; 14­19; 20­24; 25­29; 30­34; 35­39; 40­44; 45­49; 50­54; 55­59; 60­64; 65­69; and 70 and over.

Sprint prizes will be awarded to the first male and female to the 1st Mile ($50), 3rd Mile ($50) and Finish ($50). The Awards Ceremony will take place at 11:30am.

Each runner (over 21) will receive a beer ticket to redeem a can on­site from Catawba Brewing or Sierra Nevada. Additionally, all participants will be given a 15% off coupon from Mellow Mushroom valid 10/17/15 ­ 10/23/15. As always, there will be live music at the Thomas Wolfe House, this year provided by the Shifty Drifters.

Come on out and see why this race has become a deeply rooted Asheville tradition. We’re looking forward to seeing you there! Runners can register at www.thomaswolfe8k.com