Introducing ‘A Cool 5’
Beech Mountain race to serve as fundraiser

Beech Mountain Recreation Department director Craig Colistra has announced the town’s plan to host its first running event.

“A Cool 5” will feature a run across the top of Beech Mountain, eastern America’s highest town, on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. The five-mile run and accompanying fun run will be open to all runners and walkers.

The race course will be above 5,000 feet in elevation with moderate climbs and awesome views across the Blue Ridge Mountain range. Participants will be able to enjoy Beech’s “cool” summertime temperatures, which seldom exceed 72 degrees. Views of Grandfather and Mt. Mitchell will be among the scenic vistas available to those running.

Many runners, walkers and cyclists specifically make the journey to Beech Mountain for high altitude training. The mountain is remembered for Lance Armstrong Tour Du Pont stage wins during the mid 1990s.

“Our first entry into the running event schedule promises to be a memorable experience for participants,” Colistra said.

Rory Ellington, the mountain’s foremost runner and cyclist, has designed the course along with Brad Mettee. Both are experienced in running events in the region and have set the course so that runners of all levels can enjoy.

This year’s event will benefit the construction of a new children’s playground at Buckeye Lake that will be built totally with volunteer help from the community.

Colistra said, “This playground is a monumental undertaking by a small community like Beech Mountain, but with the fundraising help from events like ‘A Cool 5,’ we will be able to achieve our goal for the kids of Beech Mountain”.

Race participants and their families are encouraged to take advantage of special lodging packages available on Beech Mountain for the race. Check with the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-468-5506 or online at www.beechmtn.com for details.

For additional information on “A Cool 5” at Beech Mountain on June 7, 10 a.m., call (828) 387.3003 or visit www.townofbeechmountain.com/community/rec_center.html or email buckeyerec@townofbeechmountain.com.