50th Annual Great Waldensian Footrace
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT
- Type
- Run
Sign up and verify details on the organizer's official page.
Race feel
Celebrate 50 years of tradition at the Great Waldensian Footrace, a festive event alongside the Historic Valdese Festival in Valdese, NC.
- Fun
- Festive
Fun
FestiveJoin the 50th Annual Great Waldensian Footrace in Valdese, NC, a cherished tradition coinciding with the Historic Valdese Festival. This milestone event invites runners and walkers to celebrate the Festival of the Glorious Return with a 10K, 5K, or 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. After your race, cool down with a refreshing swim at the Valdese Community Pool and enjoy a day filled with local crafts, delicious food, and lively entertainment. It's a wonderful way to experience community spirit and a long-standing local celebration.
What to expect
- Run or walk a 10K, 5K, or 1 Mile course as part of a vibrant community festival.
- Enjoy a refreshing post-race swim at the Valdese Community Pool.
- Explore local crafts, food, and entertainment throughout the day.
Standout details
- 50th Annual Footrace
- Part of Historic Valdese Festival
- Post-race community pool swim
- Local crafts, food, & entertainment
Course feel
A practical read on terrain, elevation, footing, and typical conditions.
Big Test
Typical course trends
- Typically hilly
Distances & registration
2 optionsUse the official signup link above for all distances.
5K
1 option · closes Aug 6, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT
3mo 7d 16h 17m left5,000 Meter Run
Closes Aug 6, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT · From $22.75
10K
1 option · closes Aug 6, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT
3mo 7d 16h 17m left10,000 meter Run
Closes Aug 6, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT · From $22.75
Built from public event details. Confirm schedule, fees, and rules on the official event page before signing up.
From the organizer
Come out to Valdese and join us for the 50th running of the Great Waldensian Footrace to celebrate the Festival of the Glorious Return. A long-running staple of the August race calendar, the Great Waldensian Footrace features a 5K, 10K, and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, surrounded by the Historic Valdese Festival . All participants & guests are invited to take a cool, post-race swim in the Valdese Community Pool. Enjoy local crafts, food, and great entertainment throughout the day.
Day of race registration is available from 7:00am to 7:45am. Race entry fees are $20 through March 1st; $25 from March 2nd through July 31st; and $30 through August 6th. Race day entries are $35. Students may enter the 5K or 10K for $15 through August 6th. Entries received after July 15th cannot be guaranteed a tee shirt. Register early, claim your preferred tee shirt size, and save!