Nightmare on Nashville Street
One of our favorite parts about race timing is the chance to partner with wonderful non-profits in our area to help them raise funds for the incredible work that they are doing in our communities. One of those organizations is the Evitt Foundation based in Ringgold, Georgia. This volunteer run non-profit works to promote the welfare of children and combat hunger in North Georgia. One of their newest fundraisers is a family friendly Halloween themed 5k — Nightmare on Nashville Street. We chatted with Rachel Stockburger of the Evitt Foundation to learn more about the race.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got involved with the Evitt Foundation and this race?
I'm the PR & Advertising Coordinator for Ringgold Telephone Company. Our company helps manage the Evitt Foundation. This non-profit foundation runs solely on volunteers. We pride ourselves on creating unique fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for our foundation. Our Nightmare on Nashville Street 5k and 1 mile fun run is our fall fundraiser and has quickly become a fun event for the community to enjoy and raises money for a great cause.
For those who don't know, can you tell us about the Evitt Foundation? What do you all do and how does that impact families in the Ringgold area?
The Evitt Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that aims to promote child welfare and reduce hunger in the North Georgia area. One of many projects that we are most known for is we host multiple grocery distributions yearly to feed families who are struggling to make ends meet.
What about the race itself? How did it come about and how does it benefit the work you all do?
Nightmare on Nashville Street is quickly becoming one of our most successful fundraisers. This will be our 2nd year hosting this race and we are anticipating hundreds of runners to come out and enjoy a spooky halloween themed run throughout downtown Ringgold. We take pride in giving our town a fun event to enjoy and the fact that 100% of the proceeds goes back to families in need in this community is just icing on the cake.
What should runners expect on race day? Where is the race, when does it start, and is there anything else unique about it?
Runners should come out ready to enjoy a fun and memorable race! The 5k will start at 6:30 at the Ringgold Market in downtown Ringgold. We highly encourage runners to come dressed up in a costume. We will have spooky characters along the course ready to make our runner want to run a little faster. We will have a bonfire, a halloween movie, and food trucks at the finish line for families to hang out after and enjoy the evening.
Anything else you would like to share?
Come out for a great time and bring the family! This is a fun fall event that goes towards such a great cause. It's truly a win win.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Runners interested in learning more or signing up for the race can visit the event page on the Evitt Foundation’s website or by visiting the race registration page on terrarunning.com.
Race with us this fall!
As the weather breaks, it's easier to imagine yourself training for a race. We have a great list of local races this fall that we'd love to see you at!
*denotes part of Five Points Race Series race: Join Cleveland for the FIVE POINT RACE SERIES again in 2023! These fall 5k’s celebrate the best of our local parks. Register for and complete at least 3 out of the 6 races and you will earn an exclusive BOCO hat or a $20 Terra Running gift card! Sponsored by the City of Cleveland Parks and Recreation.
*August 1 through November 24: Explore Cleveland Virtual 5k: Help us raise money for the Terra Kids Run Camp in the summer of 2024, all while exploring a new route in Cleveland. This virtual 5k is inexpensive and fun; run a 5k on your own and send us a selfie! We will post all finisher picture's on the window of Terra Running Company to celebrate your accomplishment! All money is donated to the Terra Kids Run Camp, which hosted 50 kids in a running day camp this summer for free! (This is also part of the Five Points Race Series, so if you need a 3rd race finish to earn the hat or gift card, it's easy to do this one on your own!) https://www.terrarunning.com/explore-cleveland-5k
*August 26: Junior Achievement Race to Achieve 5k at Tinsley Park: Did you know this was the very first race Terra Running Company ever timed back in 2017? We have been with JA from the beginning of Terra Running race timing and it always feels nostalgic when we're back at Tinsley Park at sunrise in August for yet another JA 5k! I have had the opportunity to volunteer with Junior Achievement this past year. I taught a really thorough and fun lesson about the economics of our region of the country to 4th graders at Charleston Elementary. I got to see firsthand the impact of these awesome lessons that JA provides for area schools. The 5k is one of their biggest fundraisers and we are proud to be involved. Run this fast course that starts at the dog parks at Tinsley and runs south. https://register.chronotrack.com/r/72420
*September 9: Cowpea 5k + 1 mile in Calhoun/Charleston: Yippeea! This the first EVER Cowpea 5k and we are so excited to be partnering with the International Cowpea Festival on this race. We will be raising money for the Hiwassee River Heritage Center in Charleston. The race starts in Calhoun, runs on historic Highway 11 south over the Hiwassee River to Charleston. We make a beautiful loop through historic Charleston and back north over the river to Calhoun. All participants get a free entry to that day's Cowpea Festival in Charleston. This is a great new local race, and the only race in our neighboring town of Charleston! https://www.terrarunning.com/cowpea-5k-1-mile
September 16: Recovery Alive 5k at Greenway Park: This is the first year for Terra Running to be teaming up with the South Cleveland Church of God Recovery Alive program for the RA5k at Greenway Park. Recovery Alive at South Cleveland is a safe place for you to come and DO recovery. No matter what you struggle with, you are welcome. Recovery Alive meets every Thursday night at South Cleveland Church of God and this is a fundraiser for the program. Join us in spreading hope! https://register.chronotrack.com/r/74537
September 23: Ronald McDonald House Charities Run4Kids at Chattanooga State: We love working with the Ronald McDonald House on this great Run4Kids race! This is one of the Ronald McDonald house's big fundraisers and they do it big! The race brings together runners, walkers, RMHC alumni families and supporters for this fun, kid friendly event. The course runs through Chattanooga State to the Riverwalk and has great views! https://register.chronotrack.com/r/74481
*October 14: Willowbend Farms Run for Their Freedom 5k at Greenway Park: Willowbend Farms sure knows how to put on the 5k! This event is an important fundraiser for Willowbend Farms, whose mission is to fight human trafficking in our area. There is live music at the Greenway Stage, vendors, and a powerful service after the race. Another unique aspect of this event is the evening time, with the race starting at 6pm. https://register.chronotrack.com/r/68288
October 20: Nightmare on Nashville Street in Ringgold, GA: This is the first year for this new 5k, but we have worked with the race organizers on previous events and can assure you, it will be a SCREAM! The 5k will start at the Ringgold Market in downtown Ringgold and will wind its way down a spooky nature trail. All runners will receive a commemorative race shirt. Performance awards will be given to male and female racers with the fastest time in their age brackets. The 1 mile trick or treat run will be held on the block surrounding Ringgold City Hall. 1 mile participants will receive a shirt with their entry fee and can swing by the tie dye station to give their race shirt some splashes of color. Participants can also visit trick or treat tables to load up on candy! https://www.evittfoundation.org/nightmareonnashville
*October 21: Cleveland Half Marathon & 5k in downtown Cleveland: We are so excited for the 6th running of the Cleveland Half Marathon & 5k! We have even more sponsors, community organizations, and volunteers involved and are proud to bring you the only half marathon in our area. You know we LOVE our big finishers medals, and this year we are honoring our own Terra Running Company building! The medal is a hand-drawn rendition of the building, complete with runners, coffee drinkers, and even our shop dog, Rocky! http://www.clevelandhalf.com/
*November 23: Thanksgiving Day 5k & 1 mile at Tinsley Park: There are more race finishers on Thanksgiving Day in the United States than any other day of the year. Be one of those finishers by joining us. This race has become one of the biggest 5k's in Cleveland! Join us at Tinsley Park for a fast, flat, family friendly 5k, then go indulge in turkey and pies the rest of the day! https://www.terrarunning.com/thanksgiving-day-5k
December 2: Lafayette, GA Reindeer Run: This is the 2nd year Terra Running has partnered with the Lafayette, GA Women's Club for their annual Reindeer Run and we are big fans of the work they do! The race runs through historic Lafayette, GA and is super fun and festive! Last year, the LaFayette Woman’s Club donated $10,000 to the LaFayette Shop With A Cop program and $9,000 to fund three LaFayette High School Female Scholarships. Get in the Christmas spirit with this awesome 5k! https://register.chronotrack.com/r/74468
December 9: Relay for Life Cleveland Reindeer Run 5k: Help support Cleveland's American Cancer Society Relay for Life with the running of this local Reindeer Run at Greenway Park. Race t-shirts and goodie bags are guaranteed for pre-registered participants. Don't worry about the cold: there will be coffee, hot chocolate and donuts during the morning of the event! https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Cleveland/ReindeerRunClevelandTN