by Daphne Kirkwood
Brrr. December is here and winter has suddenly arrived! This month also marks the end of 2020. The final days of this difficult year for all of us… 2021 is going to be brighter, we just know it! As we look forward to the new year and the events we have on the schedule, we have excitement, hope, resilience, and strength. We have felt so much of your support at our safe, in-person events over the past six months, thank you! Designing and producing events during this pandemic has been a necessity not only for our small business’ survival but we also feel like it has been for the survival of our community of athletes too. Thank you all for your continuous support, your encouragement, and for showing up and participating!
We have some fun, holiday, safe, in-person (with a virtual option) running events happening this winter that are sure to warm you up, put a smile on your face, and a race number on your chest. We all gotta keep moving forward through this pandemic together and as the cold sets in we know how important it is to keep moving, staying active, and bundling up and getting outside. Also, staying connected together is paramount for our mental health and vitality!
Next up is the Inaugural Ugly Sweater Run on December 5th at the hip, new Riveter, located near the Asheville Airport and Sierra Nevada. Time to pull out those Ugly Sweaters and run with us in person at this brand new, safe, and socially-distance, wave start race! We only have a couple of spots left in the in-person 5k and 10k, the Challenge has been sold out. We also have a virtual race opportunity too if you want to be a part of the action and fun and do your own run on your own time, anywhere!
2021 begins with the New Year’s Resolution Run on New Year’s Day in downtown Asheville. This annual holiday tradition is back with some updates including a 10k and a new Challenge (do both the 5k and 10k!) as well as a new virtual race option. We will all kiss 2020 goodbye together and bring in 2021 on the right foot (safely) at this in-person, wave start race. Every finisher will receive a commemorative, 2021 finisher medal this year!
Our preliminary list of 2021 events gives you a glimpse into the event schedule for next year, but it is not complete yet. We are continuing to work on permissions, permitting, and planning with all our non-profit partners, city and county officials, and other government entities. Most events will continue to look differently moving into the new year and some events just are not able to happen safely with our new event format, so they will not be on the schedule for next year. Our JANUARY 2021 Newsletter will hopefully be more comprehensive with more new events, old events, and their new event dates and information about each of them. Our website is a great resource to stay connected regarding our races and our upcoming schedule, we update it regularly!
The pandemic hasn’t been all bad for our event productions…. We have adapted and so have you! We have figured out that there are some things about the new format of safe races that we will keep around regardless of the pandemic and safety restrictions eventually being lifted. We will continue to only open up registrations for events 8 weeks to a few months prior to an event after all necessary approvals have been finalized. Of course, we all know that with the pandemic, things are unpredictable, so we lighten the grasp on each event and hold it lightly, knowing that we may be forced to make a change. There is a silver lining to having to change, grow, and adapt and we believe these things will continue to make our events better for years to come for each of you.
iDaph Events & Timing | 2021
We have a busy and eventful year ahead of us as we gear up for our 2021 Sport Events! iDaph Events & Timing offers cycling, running and multi-sport events throughout the year that are fun, unique and challenging. Our events are for all levels of athletes and are often kid-friendly, and due to COVID-19 our events are now also socially distanced and adhere to the NC guidelines.
The following is a list of upcoming 2021 Sport Events owned by iDaph Events.
New Year’s Resolution Run
January 1, 2021
The 7th Annual Resolution Run takes place in downtown Asheville and is a fantastic way to say goodbye and good riddance to 2020 and HELLO 2021! This annual running event races through the streets of Downtown Asheville, NC on New Year’s Day, at a reasonable 10am to 11am. We welcome families and participants of all ages to come run or crawl their way to completing their first resolution! Bring warm layers of clothes, tie up your running shoes, and get ready to ‘run into’ 2021! NEW FOR 2021: There will be a 5K and 10K Distance, and a New Challenge (run both 5k & 10k). EVERY Participant gets a finisher medal! There will not be a 10 Mile Option this year. We will have wave start times to keep everyone socially distanced.
Event info: https://idaph.net/resolution-run/
Frostbite
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Join us for the 29th Annual Frostbite, the oldest and largest footrace in Henderson County! This in-person running event offers a 5K, 10K, and 1 Mile Fun Run, so there’s something for the whole family. The Frostbite races begin and finish at the Lelia Patterson Center. Both the 10k and 5k courses provide views of Hutch Mountain and are on hilly to challenging terrain, with some steep inclines. The moderately rolling 1-mile course, makes this premier racing event an opportunity for all running levels and ages. NEW FOR 2021: All participants get a finisher medal. New 15K Challenge Distance! Registration opens December 9th at noon.
Event info: https://idaph.net/frostbite/
Asheville Marathon & Half at Biltmore Estate
Saturday, March 20, 2021
We are so excited to have a half marathon event at the Biltmore Estate! The Asheville Marathon and Half at Biltmore Estate will be a Half Marathon in 2021 and still run entirely on the beautiful grounds of Biltmore Estate. Due to COVID-19, guidelines are being put in place to provide a safe and socially distanced event for our runners, volunteers and staff, which is why the Marathon and Challenge events will not take place at the 2021 event. The event is capped and we expect this event to sell out before race day. We expect registration to open in January of 2021. Please keep an eye on our website for continued updates.
Event info: https://ashevillemarathon.com/.
2021 Asheville Triathlon - swim, bike, run
Sunday, July 18, 2021
iDaph Events is excited to once again bring this popular fast & fun sprint triathlon to Asheville, NC! The race consists of a beautiful outdoor pool swim in a 50 meter pool, rolling bike course and a flat and fast run course at the Asheville Recreation Park. This is the great event for every level of triathlete, from novice to elites. The pool swim is great for new swimmers & the run is a flat, ‘easy’ course to navigate. Elite athletes – get ready for a PR! This race is fast and is a huge hit among local elites.
Event Info: https://idaph.net/asheville-triathlon/
Pop Up 5K in the Park Summer Series (5 Events)
Pop up 5k Summer Series (2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month)
June 23rd until August 25
Come join us at Fletcher Park (or anywhere you like) for our Pop-up 5k in the Park Summer Series and Virtual Challenge! Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday starting June 23rd and running until August 25th, we’ll be setting up a rolling start line from 6-8pm and a fully marked 5k course at the Bill Moore Community Park (formerly Fletcher Park) for runners and walkers. There are no mass starts. This in-person running event is socially distanced, family-friendly, and dog friendly! There will be prizes along the way, awesome Run Local swag available, and flexible options for all types of runners.
Event info: https://idaph.net/pop-up-5k/
Pop Up 5K in the Park Fall Series (4 Events)
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month
September 8 until October 27
This is the same event as the Summer Series except with different times, prizes and swag! The Pop-up 5k in the Park Fall Series and Virtual Challenge is every 2nd and 4th Wednesday starting September 8th and running until October 27th. Due to the time change, runners can start at the rolling start line anytime from 5-6:30 pm.
Event info: https://idaph.net/pop-up-5k/
Hendersonville Triathlon at Patton Park
Sunday, June 27th, 2021
The Hendersonville Triathlon is back at the Patton Park Pool in Hendersonville, NC! The event consists of 400m pool swim, 12.5 mile bike and 5k run! The bike and run will use portions of the Oklawaha Greenway and Patton Park, City of Hendersonville’s largest park.
Event info: https://idaph.net/hendersonville-triathlon/.
Black Bear Half Marathon in Hendersonville, NC
Saturday, Oct. 9th (Backup Date: October 16th (permit and date pending)
The Black Bear Half Marathon is back! This in-person, half marathon running event in Hendersonville, NC offers a scenic, mostly flat course along the Oklawaha Greenway. With less than 400 feet of elevation gain and a socially distanced race, you don’t want to miss this IN-PERSON, half marathon running race this fall in Western North Carolina.
Event info: https://idaph.net/black-bear-half-marathon/.
Trick or Trail 5k & 1-Mile Spooky Sprint
Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 (tentative and location pending)
You don’t want to miss this family-friendly and Halloween-themed 5K and 1 Mile fun run. This annual running event is a local’s favorite and offers fun for the whole family.
Event info: https://idaph.net/trick-or-trail-5k-in-hendersonville/
South Asheville Turkey Trot
Thursday, November 25, 2021
The 4th Annual Turkey Trot returns on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25th. Come join us for this fun and festive 5K on one of the biggest running holidays of the year. Thanksgiving is the largest running holiday with families all over the country! Turkey Trots are a great way to start the day. You’ll share miles and smiles with your family and friends as part of this fun, annual tradition.
Event info: https://idaph.net/south-asheville-turkey-trot/
Ugly Sweater Run
December 4, 2021
Don’t miss this Ugly Sweater Run 5K, 10K, and Challenge 15K, at the Riveter in Mills River! Join iDaph Events for a festive (and socially distanced) 5K and 10K hosted by the Riveter, the nation’s premier indoor climbing gym, bike park, and wellness arena. The courses start at the Riveter and run along scenic and rural paved and farm roads, and return to the Riveter for even more merriment. There’ll be delicious food, drinks, and refreshments (including adult beverages and coffee), and plenty of activities including a premier bike park and a climbing wall. Chill out after the race and unwind at a socially-distanced flow, indoor yoga class at the Riveter’s yoga studio. Runners can also sign up for the challenge, which involves both distances. A virtual option is also available.
Event info: https://idaph.net/ugly-sweater-run/
Please note: We have plans to add a few NEW events in 2021. All events are currently in the process of permits and approvals. Locations and dates are subject to change. We will open online registration when we have the green light from the permitting agency for each event.
Partner Events: Save the Date!
iDaph Events & Timing also partners with multiple events per year, offering timing, registration and marketing services. Please visit idaph.net and check out our Events Tab or Calendar of Events for information on upcoming partner events!
Spring Century Ride, Charleston, SC — Saturday, April 17, 2021
WCRM 5K Run, Shelby, NC — Saturday, April 17, 2021
Chamber Challenge, Asheville, NC — Friday, May 14, 2021
White Squirrel 5K, Brevard, NC — Saturday, May 22, 2021
WNC Flyer, Brevard, NC — Sunday, June 6, 2021
Firecracker 5K, Brevard, NC — Saturday, July 3, 2021
Light Up the Night 5K, Asheville, NC — Friday, August 6, 2021
Tour d’Apple, Brevard, NC — Monday, September 6, 2021
Vampire 5K, Brevard, NC — Saturday, October 30, 2021
Images available upon request. For more information please emailsupport@idaph.net.
