Morganton, NC – Kick start your Festival experience with the annual Sunrise Run on the Greenway, hosted by the Morganton Festival and presented by Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge! It takes place on the morning of Saturday, September 8, along a beautiful stretch of the Catawba River Greenway.

An average of 500+ runners and walkers of all ages compete in the 5K, 10K, Fun Run and Student Fitness Challenge. To register go to www.morgantonfest.org or call 828-438-5252 for an application.

The Sunrise Run will take on some new energy and excitement this year with a local DJ on site to get the blood flowing and a host of sponsor tents offering everything from healthy snacks to stretching exercises for before and/or after your run! A lively awards ceremony will take place at 10am for all participants! So weather you are a runner or just the support group, there will be fun to be had by all!

The most popular and highly anticipated, Student Fitness Challenge, will see some 400+ students run for their school at 9:30am. This challenge is offered to Burke County elementary and middle schools and is an opportunity to garner $200 for their physical education programs by having at least 10 participants in the sunrise one mile fun run/walk; the school with the most students will receive an additional $500 for their program! Students must register through their PE Teachers; registration per student is $7 and includes a t-shirt!

Pre-registration and packet pickup will occur at the race site between 5pm and 7pm at Catawba Meadows on Friday, September 7. Follow the signs!

Please note that participants in the Student Fitness Challenge MUST register with their PE Teachers by Friday, August 31 in order to be eligible for the race.

Friday, September 7, Pre-registration and packet pick up 5pm-7pm, Catawba Meadows.

Saturday, September 8, (rain or shine.) Sorry, no refunds.

Race day registration is from 6:30-7:30am. 5K and 10K begin at 8am. Fun Run/Walk and Student Challenge begins at 9:30am. Awards Ceremony for all Races at 10am.

Pre-Registration: 5K & 10K Registration (August 18 – September 6)$25; 5K & 10K Race Day (September 7 & 8)$30; Fun Run/Walk Registration (August 18 – September 6)$15; Fun Run/Walk Race Day (September 7 & 8)$20.