Covered Bridge 5k Run/3k Walk June 9 to benefit Sycamore Shoals Hospital; registration open

The annual Covered Bridge 5k Run and 3k Walk benefiting Sycamore Shoals Hospital is set for Saturday, June 9, at 8 a.m.

Parking and registration will be located in the heart of downtown at the City Hall parking lot on Hattie Avenue between Riverside Drive and Sycamore Street. Both races will finish at the same location after crossing through the historic covered bridge.

All proceeds from the race help to fund needed equipment, supplies and programs for Sycamore Shoals. Last year, more than 300 people participated and nearly $5,000 was raised for patient needs at the hospital. The race is organized by Ballad Health Foundation.

Participants can preregister for the race through June 1 at We Run Events or at Covered Bridge 5k Run/3k Walk. The discounted early registration fee for the Covered Bridge run is $20 through June 1 and $25 from June 2 through race day. T-shirts are guaranteed for preregistrants, and while supplies last for those registering after June 1.

Late registration for both events and packet pickup for preregistered participants will be held Friday, June 8, from 5-7 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals Hospital and on race day from 6:30-7:30 a.m. at the City Hall parking lot on Hattie Avenue.

After the race, awards will be given at the Covered Bridge Festival stage for the top overall male and female runners and walkers and also for the top three runners by age group. The race is sponsored by Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Citi, Watauga Lakeshore Marina and Resort, and CenturyLink.

For more information, contact Sharon Sheppard at 423-542-1338 or at sharon.sheppard@balladhealth.org.