Annual 49er Gold Rush 5K Run/Walk scheduled

Registration is open for the 49er Gold Rush 5K, presented by Novant Health and the UNC Charlotte Recreational Services Department. This event is set for 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 6, at Irwin Belk Track and Field Complex.

Race day check-in, packet pickup and registration will be 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the track level. Net proceeds from the 5K will benefit UNC Charlotte student development scholarships; direct donations will be accepted for Girls on the Run, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that uses running to inspire young girls.

Girls on the Run, a development program for girls in third through eighth grade, teaches life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.

Kemet Gatchell, race director, said “This February event is enjoyed by year-round runners and couch-to-5K participants, as the timing coincides well with New Year’s resolutions. It’s also a great way for the community to experience our beautiful campus and join our students for a morning of fun and fitness.”

Runners can register online for the event. The cost is $25 for registrations between Jan. 27 and Feb. 5 and $30 for race day.

Category winners will receive a medal. Participants who register by the Jan. 26 early bird deadline are guaranteed a long-sleeved commemorative T-shirt. The Gold Rush 5k has recently been named as one of the “best upcoming winter races to get your blood pumping” by CharlotteFive.

For more information, visit the recreational services website.