Due to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene in downtown Spruce Pine and the surrounding areas, we have had to make some important adjustments to this year’s Run For Holland event. Lower Street and Riverside Park, the heart of our race course, were significantly impacted, with many of the businesses we’ve passed for the past 10 years no longer open and Riverside Park being devastated.
While these changes are heartbreaking, we are determined to adapt and move forward, keeping the spirit of Run For Holland alive and thriving. In response to these challenges and to simplify logistics, we’ve made the decision to remove the 10K race this year. This will allow us to focus on what matters most: bringing the community together in a way that’s safe and impactful.
Why the Change?
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The 10K Course: With significant damage to Lower Street and Riverside Park, the logistics of managing the 10K course have become too complicated. We believe simplifying the event will allow us to focus on the 5K and 1-mile Fun Run, which are still central to our mission.
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Riverside Park: The end of our race traditionally finished at Riverside Park, but given its current state as a disaster zone, it is no longer feasible to use that as a race endpoint this year.
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Community Focus: Removing the 10K race will allow us to focus more on community support and make the event easier to manage for volunteers and participants. We’re listening to your feedback and adapting for the best race experience possible, under these difficult circumstances.
We know how important this race is to our community, and we are committed to moving forward in a way that celebrates everyone involved—whether you are racing, volunteering, or supporting from the sidelines.
Join us for Run For Holland 2025 on May 3rd, 2025. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact on our community and raise awareness for those with disabilities. Even with these changes, the spirit of giving, inclusion, and community will be stronger than ever. Sign up now!
Thank you for your understanding and support. We look forward to seeing you at the event!
