Railway 5k & 1 Mile

The Railway 5K & 1 Mile takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, starting at 7:30 AM EDT for the 5K and 7:35 AM for the 1 Mile at the Hendersonville Welcome Center, 201 South Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792. This inaugural event is hosted on the Ecusta Trail — a former railroad corridor transformed into a shared-use greenway connecting Hendersonville and Brevard. The course cutoff is 9:00 AM.

What's Included with Race Entry:

• Short sleeve Bella Canvas shirt (Adult & Youth sizes) — FREE until August 16
• Commemorative finisher medal for all participants
• Goody bag
• Chip-timing for 5K
• Complimentary race photos
• Well-marked course on Ecusta Trail
• Spectator-friendly course
• One-of-a-kind prizes for overall and age group winners

Kids 12 & Under Discount (5K only):

• $25 registration through August 30 (auto-discount at checkout).
• Price increases to $30 after August 30 until race day.
• Kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Shirt Deadline:

• Register by August 16 at midnight to receive free shirt.
• After August 16, shirts available for $25 in limited quantities and sizes.

Packet Pickup:

• Friday, September 11 — Time/location TBD
• Race day — Saturday, September 12, Trailhead Pavilion & Hendersonville Welcome Center Parking Lot, 6:15 AM – 7:00 AM (pickup ends promptly at 7:00 AM)

Schedule:

• 6:15 AM – 7:00 AM — Race day packet pickup
• 7:30 AM — 5K start
• 7:35 AM — 1 Mile Fun Run start
• 8:45 AM — 5K Awards Ceremony (approximate)
• 9:00 AM — Course cutoff

About the Ecusta Trail:

• Former railroad corridor transformed into shared-use greenway.
• Connects Hendersonville and Brevard, NC.
• Represents connection, access, and transformation.
• Preserves the history of the region.

Charity Beneficiaries:

• Bike Walk HVL (raised $11.50 toward $1,000 goal — 1%)
• iDream Athletes Foundation (raised $27.48 toward $1,000 goal — 3%)

Sponsors:

• Presenting: Aetna
• Corporate: Biltmore Farms
• Race Partners: Bike Walk HVL, Friends of Ecusta Trail, Perk Up, Black Dog Flower Farm, iDaph Events + Timing

The Railway 5K & 1 Mile 2026 is a running celebration of history, movement, and community on the Ecusta Trail. Walk, run, or stroll — every finisher gets a medal and a great time on a transformed railroad corridor.