Registration for the Rotary Club of Highlands’ 10th Twilight 5K fundraiser is currently open online. The race, which already has over 200 registered racers, will be held on Aug. 13 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.
“We’re gonna go over 200 I’m sure and we may get to 250,” race organizer Derek Taylor said. “We’re having to come back from the pandemic, you know, because we’ve had as high as 400. But, we’ll be over 200 I’m sure.”
The race was originally started in 2013 by the Rotary Club as a fundraiser for youth activities in Highlands. The race was originally known as the “Twilight Rock n’ Roll 5k.” The race has always donated the proceeds from the event to various different organizations and groups in Highlands that are aimed towards youth activities.
“Our original concept was to be doing some kind of youth activity,” Taylor said. “You know, we’ve helped the Rec Park through several other things that we’ve done in the past and then we did AHEC the last couple of years, which is the Advance Highlands Education Committee, and the Literacy Council seemed like a good one this year. But we’ve always tried to benefit youth activity of some kind.”
In past years before the COVID-19 Pandemic, the race had raised around $25,000 from registration fee and sponsorships. This year, all proceeds will go to benefit the Literacy and Learning Center of Highlands.
“We’ll put it all directly towards the free program,” Literacy and Learning Center Director Bonnie Potts said. “So it will go directly back to the community through forms of free education. We’re extremely grateful to the Rotary club for choosing us to be the beneficiary. And we’re really grateful to all the people who have sponsored the 5K and we’re really looking forward to the race.”
Awards will be distributed to winners of multiple categories including Best Male and Female overall, Top Masters which is racers aged 40 years and up, Top Grand Masters which are racers aged 50 years and up, Top Senior Grand Masters which are racers aged which are aged 60 and up and the top three racers in each age group which increase by five year increments.
“We do a very nice handmade mug but Frank Vickery from the Bascom does for us, and everybody kind of wants to win a mug,” Taylor said. “And then we are offering course record money. If you come out and do the overall course record you will get $100 and any age group record gets $50.”
The fastest male course record that has ever been set in the race was 16:57 and it was set by 16 year old Graham Blanks in 2019. Additionally, the fastest female record set was 19:54 and it was set by 31 year old Joy Miller also in 2019. A list of all other records can be found on the 5k’s website.
“For this course up here, that is very fast,” Taylor said. “Folks find out when they come up, it’s a good minute slower probably the most courses would be for most people. It’s usually a hot day, you’ve got the hills and then you’ve got the altitude and all that plays together.”
The after party will be held directly after the race concludes and will include live music performed by Spalding Mcintosh, light up necklaces for children, one free beer to everyone of age from the Ugly Dog Pub and more. Additionally, race organizers highly suggest making reservations at local restaurants before the day of the race.
“We have a concert, which probably by the time we hand out awards, will start about 7:30 p.m.,” Taylor said. “Normally there’s music in the park on Saturdays at 6 p.m., but we’ll be starting when we get through with the race and everything. So then the people stay from the run and you have the rock and roll and people bring their blankets and chairs and everything and just sit around and have a good time and we get to go to 10 p.m. on that night.”
Race organizers encourage everyone to register and come out and participate in the 5K to have fun and be active while simultaneously supporting youth activities within the community.
“Everybody, come out, and if you’re not gonna run, come watch the race and then hang around for the party and have a good time,” Taylor said. “And a big thank you to all our sponsors.”
Registration for the 5K Run/Walk and the 5K Stroller Race costs $35 per person plus a small registration fee. Prices for registration will increase to $40 on the day of the race and children under the age of five run for free and children under the age of 10 can run for $10. Check-in and same day registration will begin at 4 p.m. on race day. For more information and to register visit www.highlandstwilightrun.com/the-race.