FEATURED PRESS ARTICLES
Larger Turnout at Hendersonville’s Black Bear 8k
On Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 8am, the third-annual Black Bear Half Marathon & 8K sponsored by Hunter Subaru roared back into Hendersonville, North Carolina! The Black Bear races, which take place in the midst of peak leaf season, have grown to become one of the most well-liked fall activities in the area. The picturesque Oklawaha Greenway, park trails, and downtown city streets are all used in both events. This race is ideal for athletes looking to beat their previous bests because the routes are mainly flat and quick! When you put your mind to something, nothing is “impawsible”!
Partner Spotlight!
In this week’s newsletter, we wanted to feature one of our wonderful tourism partners, iDaph Events. iDaph Events is local to Hendersonville and we are lucky to have this caliber of event management organization in our community. Typically event and race management companies of this nature are scattered in larger cities across the United States.
iDaph Events creates, designs and produces many wonderful running and biking events, as well as triathlons in Henderson and Buncombe Counties throughout the year. These events help to fill our accommodations, restaurants and stores with visitors, but also offer the opportunity for you to suggest their events to your own patrons as an activity while in town (either as an event participant or even just as a spectator, cheering on those running, biking and swimming). They also have at least one if not multiple local non-profit partners for each event, giving money from the events right back to our local community of charitable organizations.
Hendersonville’s Black Bear Half-Marathon & 8k
Gear up for a day at the races in Hendersonville.
The Black Bear Half is set during peak leaf season through gorgeous downtown Hendersonville. The 2nd annual half marathon, presented by Hunter Subaru, is a boutique-style race. For the first time, Morris Broadband 8k powered by Omnium is joining the half marathon event on the same day. Both races take place simultaneously through Hendersonville city streets, path parkways and the Oklawaha Greenway. The route features a river, a bustling cityscape and mountain scenery.
Jump Off Rock Half Marathon & 10k: Inaugural races demonstrate support for annual event
Four hundred half marathoners tested their downhill running skills and 200 other runners took part in a shorter race during an inaugural event Saturday that coincided with the first LoveHendo weekend of the year.
Race Director Daphne Kirkwood was over the moon about the way everything went for the Jump Off Rock Half Marathon and 10K, including a cooperative sun that warmed runners after a brisk, early morning start.
‘Faith, grit & determination:’ Mills River marathoner, business owner outran cancer
For distance runner, business owner, single mother and cancer survivor Daphne Kirkwood, there is no finish line.
“I don’t want to waste any time because time is so precious,” said Kirkwood, whose event production company staged the inaugural Jump Off Rock Half Marathon and 10K on May 8. “I’m always like, OK, am I making the most of the day? I think it’s really important that people live, and keep living as long as you can.”
Frostbite Race participants take part in 29th race, both in-person and virtually this year
Runners laced up their shoes and headed to the starting line Sunday morning for the oldest running event of its kind in Henderson County — the Frostbite Races.
There were 5K and 10K options, both online and in-person with social distancing.
The race began and ended at the Leila Patterson Center in Fletcher.
Frostbite races set for Feb. 21 with COVID protocols for runners
The annual Frostbite Races presented by Hunter Subaru and the Lelia Patterson Center is set for the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 21.
This year’s races mark 29 years of memories at the annual Frostbite, which is the oldest foot race in Henderson County.
This year’s event will offer virtual and in-person options, with a socially distanced 10K, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. The 10k and 5K courses provide views of Hutch Mountain and are on hilly, sometimes challenging terrain with steep inclines.
South Asheville Turkey Trot moved to Fletcher
By Dean Hensley
Due to the coronavirus pandemic and social-distancing guidelines, the third annual South Asheville Turkey Trot 5K run, presented by idaph Events, will be moved from Biltmore Park Town Square to Bill Moore Park in Fletcher.
There is also a virtual event option.
Registration for the event, which will be held on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26), is now open at idaph.net/south-asheville-turkey-trot.
Black Bear Half Marathon was a soggy success
By Stephanie Buss iDaph Events
posted by Blue Ridge Now
Not even Tropical Storm Delta could keep runners from completing the Black Bear Half Marathon on Saturday, Oct. 10.
The inaugural in-person running event, which took place in Jackson Park in Hendersonville, had over 160 participants in attendance that crossed the finish line — soaked to the bone, but mostly smiling.
“We only had 10 no-shows, and in that kind of rain, I was actually shocked,” said Daphne Kirkwood, owner and race director for iDaph Events.
Health experts offer tips on staying safe for Halloween
By Stephen Kindland, Times-News correspondent
As federal health officials continue warning the American public about a new surge of COVID-19 cases that already has set records for daily reported cases in some states, they also are providing guidance to help people get through the holiday season safely.
With Halloween coming this weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made it known that it considers traditional trick-or-treating as a “high-risk activity” because of its inherent close contact with others.
Ugly Sweater Runs to be held at Mills River’s Riveter
Blue Ridge Now
A new run by iDaph Events is coming to Mills River, and it’s set for early December at the all-new Riveter.
The new park, which has an indoor climbing gym, bike park and a wellness arena, will host the inaugural Ugly Sweater Runs on Dec. 5. There will be options for a 5K run, a 10K run or both. There will also be a Challenge event.
Runners take rainy weather in stride for half-marathon
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Runners took the rainy weather in stride on Saturday, for a half-marathon in Hendersonville. With COVID-19 precautions in place, it was a socially distanced race from start-to-finish.
Organizers say it was great to see about 175 people come together to participate in the event.
“Having people be socially-distanced, but being able to race together I think is so important,” said race director Daphne Kirkwood.
Fall Pop up 5K Series begins Oct. 7 at Fletcher Park
Due to the popularity of the brand-new Pop up 5K Series, which was created and produced for the first time this summer, iDaph Events is continuing the events with a new Fall Pop up 5K Series through October.
Hendersonville Triathlon moves forward with COVID-19 precautions
The triathlon was limited to 150 participants and COVID-19 precautions were also in place.
Race director, Daphne Kirkwood, said though it was different from start to finish, it was great to provide this opportunity for area athletes.
“People are just so happy to have an event to do that’s safe and socially distanced,” Kirkwood said. “We are doing our part to keep this community alive with athletics and so we’re just so honored to be able to be here.”
Competitive Triathlon in the Time of COVID-19
The pandemic has changed a lot of things, but it couldn’t stop one group of hardcore triathletes from competing this summer. Last Sunday, just over 100 participants showed up at a park in Hendersonville, N.C., to do something that most athletes used to take for granted: toe the line at an in-person race.
The Asheville Triathlon, held at a new location in nearby Hendersonville’s Patton Park, set an example of what in-person events may look like in the future during the time of COVID-19. “This coronavirus has really forced us to make some big changes in the endurance event industry,” said Daphne Kirkwood, owner of iDaph Events and race director of the Asheville Triathlon.
Relocated Asheville Triathlon spawns new Hendersonville Triathlon
Dean Hensley, BlueRidgeNow.com,
The annual Asheville Triathlon was relocated to Hendersonville this year due to pools not being allowed to open in Asheville amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the event was a big success, according to race director Daphne Kirkwood.
“The event was such a hit that we are going to have the event again on Sunday, September 20. This time it will be called the Hendersonville Triathlon … same venue, same courses, same layout and format as the one we produced in July,” idaph.net founder Kirkwood said.
The pandemic changed things, but people still showed up for the Asheville Triathlon
The pandemic had changed a lot of things, but it couldn’t stop one group of hardcore triathletes from competing this summer. Last Sunday, just over 100 participants showed up at a park in Hendersonville, NC to do something that most athletes used to take for granted: toe the line at an in-person race.
The Asheville Triathlon, held at a new location in Hendersonville’s Patton Park, is setting an example of what in-person events may look like in the future during the time of COVID-19. “This coronavirus has really forced us to make some big changes in the endurance event industry,” said Daphne Kirkwood, owner of iDaph Events and Race Director for the Asheville Triathlon. “There just isn’t a cookie cutter way to design and produce an in-person event during a pandemic. But I’m really happy with how safely everything turned out.”
Asheville Marathon goes virtual
The Asheville Marathon and Half at Biltmore Estate may have been cancelled, but 415 runners across the country joined the Asheville Marathon and Half Virtual Run last month. Cheer them on virtually below! 👏🏼
Asheville Triathlon to take place Sunday, July 19th in Hendersonville, NC
Dean Hensley, BlueRidgeNow.com
With Asheville’s Recreation Park Pool closed for the summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asheville Triathlon needed to find a new venue and fast.
Organizer Daphe Kirkwood of iDaph Events proposed that the event be moved to Hendersonville this year and at Thursday evening’s Hendersonville City Council meeting, the proposal was approved.
The event will be held Sunday, July 19 at two different sites in Hendersonville. The 400-meter swim will be at Patton Pool, and Oklahawa Greenway will host the 12.5-mile bike ride and the 5K run.
Chilly weather not a problem for Frostbite runners
Stephen Kindland, Times-News Correspondent
Posted Feb 17, 2019 at 9:39 PM
FLETCHER — Sunday’s aptly named Frostbite 5K and 10K races were held under cold and drizzly conditions, but that didn’t seem to bother Danny Kratzer, who finished first overall in the 10K.
The 41-year-old Hendersonville resident turned in a time of 38 minutes, 2.7 seconds to finish ahead of runner-up Luis Cortinas of Candler (40:26.7) and third-place finisher Jake VanBeukering (40:32.0), a junior at Fletcher Academy.
New Years Resolution Run
Hundreds run through downtown Asheville for 5K on New Year’s Day
Featured in WLOS
January 1, 2017
By Jennifer Saylor
To kick off the new year, several hundred people ran through the streets of downtown Asheville Sunday morning during the third annual Resolution Run 5k .
The run kicked off at 10 a.m., late enough to let participants sleep in after ringing in 2017.
Money raised benefits the western North Carolina YMCA, iDream athletes foundation, and the Police Unity Tour Chapter Four. Read original article…
ASHEVILLE WINTER BIKE LEAGUE
Winter Bike League Gets Cyclists Together
Featured in Blue Ridge Now
January 3, 2016
By Beth De Bona
Multiple layers of performance clothing was one strategy used by cyclists for fighting the bitter temperatures Saturday morning at Fletcher Community Park, while some smeared Vaseline on their faces as a windbreak. Though, dealing with the cold is expected by those riding with the Asheville Winter Bike League (AVL-WBL), which has been meeting in Fletcher for weekly rides since November. “It’s an opportunity to train and be a community together,” said Daphne Kirkwood of iDaph Events, the company that inaugurated AVL-WBL as a season extender for area cyclists this fall. “We saw there was a need for people to continue getting together when the weather got colder.” Read Original Article…
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ASHEVILLE MARATHON & HALF
2016 Asheville Marathon to Welcome First Visually-Impaired Participant
Featured on Mountain Xpress
February 16, 2016
The Asheville Marathon & Half at Biltmore Estate is excited to welcome its first visually impaired runner to its 2016 events. Veteran marathoner Mike Merino, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, will be joining 1,400 other participants for the full marathon on Sunday, March 13, 2016, guided by Curtis Nash of Greenville, South Carolina. Why did Merino choose the 2016 Asheville Marathon? “It’s a Boston qualifier, it’s conveniently close, it’s well-timed — a great time for keeping that holiday and winter weight off, and it’s non-urban, something that isn’t found too often in marathons,” he says. Read More…
Traiser, Peters win Asheville Marathon at Biltmore
Featured on Citizen Times
March 14, 2016
By Karen Chávez
Miles Traiser, 25, of Bismarck, North Dakota, came a long way for a wet run. But it was worth the trip for Traiser, who was the overall winner of the 2016 Asheville Marathon at Biltmore Estate on Sunday, March 13. The fourth annual race was warm, yet extremely soggy, with downpours throughout the 26.2-mile race that started at 7:30 a.m. and swept across the luscious grounds of the private Biltmore Estate. Runners also had to battle lost sleep after losing an hour to Daylight Saving Time the night before. Double bummer, but what an accomplishment for those who came out in the rainy dark to run 26.2 miles! Read More…
Asheville Marathon & Half Weekend 2016
Featured on Run Like Boys Blog
March 15, 2016
By Crystal Shirk
This weekend was the culmination of almost a year of planning. A weekend packed full for sure. As an Asheville Marathon Ambassador, there was much more to this event than just training with my feet, but helping prep for this event and playing a teeny tiny role in helping it go smoothly. Daphne, who runs the IDaphe events, has an amazing setup and assistants… this experience has shown me how much planning it takes to make an event like this go off so well. Read More…
Looking for more reading material?
We have an archive full of interesting articles waiting for you!
FEATURED VIDEOS
ASHEVILLE MARATHON 2016
Featured on The Weather Channel
LUNG BUSTER TIME TRIAL
Video by Paul Jackson
Asheville River Road
OUR FANS SAY IT BEST
We all enjoy taking the time to share our beautiful Town. I am very happy with the turn out and we all had lots of fun! I have a couple of Officers that are now wanting to train to participate in future bike events. We just re-implemented our Patrol Bike Team; it has really been a great way to build the bridge with cyclist and Town residents.
This was a super enjoyable event and so much less pressure than I have experienced at other events. Thanks to Mike from Liberty Bicycles for the seat hold and thanks to the neighborhoods for being so welcoming. Above all, thanks to the organizers for putting together a great climb!
I just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic experience at the 2016 Asheville half marathon at the Biltmore. My quads are still sore from those long hills (flat lander from Iowa here), but I’m still smiling. The un-metal medal is the classiest, most tasteful looking medal I’ve ever received. The finisher blanket is wonderful. The metal award for being top 5 is so absolutely unique! What a great idea. These are just some of the things that made this a first-class experience. A huge thanks to you and all of the volunteers. I have organized races (on a much, MUCH smaller scale) over the years, and I know how much effort it takes to pull off a small event, let alone one of this magnitude. The effort and care you all put in to this was evident at all turns. You should be very proud. P.S. Thanks for the spectacular weather. I only wish the full marathoners had been as lucky as us. 🙂
The 2016 Frostbite was spectacular, a few items I loved: 1. Live 17 piece band, they played before, during, and after the run 2. Kids run a mile and finish at the adult time-line before we started 3. The support and guidance along the route 100% consistent 4. Encouragement at the home stretch was appreciated 5. Post race treats were nutritious and healthy, no junk food 6. The youngsters were recognized before adult awards. 7. I felt like I was a member of the LPC family while on-site Thank you LPC and Daphine Kirkwood, Race Director. Look forward to next year. <3 <3 <3
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR YEAR ROUND PARTNERS & FRIENDS
