Downtown Rocks and Runs gives way to the Ararat River Run

This August a collective sigh will be heard as hundreds of runners, joggers, walkers, and stroller pushers will no longer have to tackle the daunting task of cresting ‘French Fry Hill’ on Independence Boulevard coming up from Riverside Park as part of the United Fund of Surry’s annual 5K/10K formerly known as the Downtown Rocks and Runs.

This year the United Fund will host its 17th annual fundraising run under a new name and at a new location. The Ararat River Run will be held Saturday, Aug. 9, but instead of starting in downtown Mount Airy, it will launch onto the Granite City Greenway from 1334 Carter Street.

The 10K will start at 8 a.m. with the start of the 5K following shortly thereafter at 8:05 a.m.

“After 17 successful years, it was time for a fresh start,” said United Fund of Surry Executive Director Melissa Hiatt. The run officially launches the 2025-2026 United Fund of Surry’s annual campaign; this year’s goal is $550,000.

She explained, “Past safety concerns and the high number of volunteers required at intersections on Main and Renfro Streets made it increasingly challenging.”

Despite the best efforts of volunteers from local groups, fire departments, and rescue squads there seems to always be a car or two that either is not aware there is a foot race going on or just drives past the people staffing the intersections.

A few red-faced volunteers have been spotted in the past couple of years yelling after a car that has driven past a checkpoint.

Hiatt said safety concerns were part of the reason for the change but also noted that the area around the Big Lots shopping center on Carter Street is getting ready for a transformation of its own. “The Ararat Greenway has proven to be a great location for races, and with the exciting future of Carter Street Park, we felt this was the right move for the next chapter.”

“We know our veteran runners will miss the locally acclaimed ‘French Fry Hill,’ but they’ll quickly discover this new course is flat, fast, and perfect for setting personal bests,” Hiatt said.

The 5K turnaround will be near the back parking lot of Chase & Chari’s, and the 10K turnaround will be near Mount Airy Middle School, Hiatt said.

For those interested in the race, overall male and female winners in both the 5K and 10K divisions will receive $250 cash prizes. Individual awards will be presented for first, second and third place overall male and female finishers, plus the top three finishers in age groups ranging from 13 and under to 70-plus.

Early registration costs $35 for the 5K and $40 for the 10K through July 28. Standard registration increases to $40 for the 5K and $45 for the 10K from July 29 through Aug. 12. Online registration at www.araratriverrun.itsyourrace.com continues until 7:30 a.m. on race day.

The race includes individual competitions and team challenges. A Corporate Participation Challenge trophy will be awarded to the business with the highest number of participants in the 5K and 10K combined. The 5K Team Fitness Challenge recognizes the fastest team of five or more members based on the average gun time of the top five finishers.

The 5K course is USATF certified, and both course maps and elevation profiles are available at www.mapmyrun.com. Professional timing services will be provided by Go! Sports Timing and Events using gun starts and chip-timed finishes.

All race finishers receive medals. Participants who register by July 14 are guaranteed an event T-shirt and goodie bag. Walkers and strollers are welcome to participate in the 5K division.

A free Kids Fun Run for children 12 and under will also be held, with optional $10 T-shirt purchases available through July 28. All Fun Run participants receive participation ribbons.

Last year’s Downtown Rocks and Runs attracted more than 300 participants, with 247 runners in the 5K and 66 in the 10K. The race draws competitors from across the state, with a notable contingent from the Columbia, South Carolina, area.

The event supports the United Fund of Surry, which provides funding to more than two dozen local nonprofit groups that serve more than a third of Surry County residents. Corporate teams have developed friendly rivalries, with Team Altec and Northern Regional Hospital leading the competition for highest participation numbers in recent years.

For registration and more information, visit www.araratriverrun.itsyourrace.com.

Ryan Kelly-Assistant Editor/ Mt. Airy News