Tackle the Tar
Date
Sat, May 16, 2026, 8:45 AM EDTRace options
12 distancesTap any distance below for fee tiers and close dates.
Quick take
Tackle 20+ obstacles and a mud pit in this 5K race, all while supporting college scholarships for local students.
Best for: cause-driven runners
Race options
Distances & registration
12 optionsTap a distance to see fee tiers and close dates.
1 Mile
Kid's Fun Run
Close date not listed
5K
11 options
Competitive
Close date not listed
Competitive Heat 2
Close date not listed
Competitive Heat 3
Close date not listed
Fun Run
Close date not listed
Fun Run Heat 2
Close date not listed
Fun Run Heat 3
Close date not listed
Fun Run Heat 4
Close date not listed
First Responders
Close date not listed
Local College
Close date not listed
Halifax Schools
Close date not listed
Fun Run Heat 5
Close date not listed
Race feel
- Fun
- Scenic
- Quirky
- Festive
- For a Cause
Fun
Scenic
Quirky
Festive
For a CauseTackle the Tar offers a 5K Obstacle Course Race and Family Fun Day at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. Runners will navigate over 20 obstacles, including a mud pit, as the course winds through historic Battle Park and the E.B. Grain Company property. This event is a key fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount, with all proceeds directly funding college scholarships for local students. Since 2016, over $510,000 has been awarded, making participation a meaningful way to support the community.
What to expect
- Expect a challenging 5K obstacle course with a mud pit and over 20 unique challenges.
- Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with festivities continuing until noon.
- Receive a t-shirt, medal, goodie bag, and one free beer for those over 21.
Standout details
- 5K Obstacle Course Race
- MUD PIT and 20+ OBSTACLES
- Funds college scholarships
- T-shirt, medal, beer, goodie bag
Perks & features
- Swag Included
Swag IncludedFrom the public listing; confirm on the official site.
Course surface
Mud / obstacle
Based on the event listing. Check the official site for the full course map.
Past results at a glance
Past race snapshot
What the field usually feels like
Based on past public results. Helpful context, not a prediction.
Selected year + distance
79 finishers in 1 Miles
Ranked by chip time when available
Very small finish count here - use this as loose context, not a race-day expectation.
Crowd
Small field
79 1 Miles finishers. A quieter race where the pack may spread out more quickly.
Typical finish
45:42
Middle-of-pack benchmark using chip time when available.
Competitive feel
Speedy front
There is real pace up front, even if the overall field is broad. Front-group read: 27:50.
People mix
More women
About 56% women and 44% men among finishers who listed gender.
Quick read
For the 1 Miles in 2022, this looks like a small field: 79 finishers in this data set. A middle-of-the-pack finish was around 45:42. The quicker front of the field averaged about 27:50. Use it as a feel check, not a promise about race day.
Fastest finishers in this file: 25:09 (male) and 31:04 (female).
Show historical award cutoffs3 rows
Cutoff = slowest posted time still inside the top finishers for a division.
| Division | Gender | Top N | Cutoff | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Unspecified | Top 3 | 27:40 | finish-order sample |
| Female | Female | Top 3 | 34:55 | finish-order sample |
| Male | Male | Top 3 | 27:40 | finish-order sample |
Show the year-by-year numbers
| Distance | Year | Finishers | Typical | Average | Front 10% | Fastest M / W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Miles | 2022 | 79 | 45:42 | 48:46 | 27:50 | 25:09 / 31:04 |
| 1 Miles | 2022 | 48 | 45:56 | 48:36 | 28:12 | 26:26 / 45:35 |
| 1 Miles | 2022 | 222 | 50:47 | 52:02 | 30:26 | 24:36 / 11:31 |
| 1 Miles | 2022 | 87 | 36:50 | 39:08 | 24:34 | 21:39 / 26:19 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2025 | 102 | 49:56 | 51:32 | 31:50 | 24:58 / 31:32 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2025 | 76 | 54:52 | 53:51 | 35:54 | 33:48 / 39:28 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2025 | 27 | 56:26 | 59:37 | 40:14 | 37:59 / 41:10 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2025 | 250 | 50:49 | 50:24 | 32:54 | 25:20 / 16:51 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2025 | 132 | 38:24 | 43:57 | 26:02 | 22:42 / 29:43 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2024 | 79 | 46:33 | 47:29 | 29:37 | 26:08 / 27:05 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2024 | 41 | 42:28 | 44:54 | 30:51 | 28:50 / 30:14 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2024 | 35 | 50:02 | 52:11 | 34:36 | 30:23 / 30:59 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2024 | 246 | 50:15 | 51:51 | 31:44 | 25:17 / 33:55 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2024 | 92 | 37:07 | 39:03 | 25:43 | 22:07 / 28:48 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2023 | 67 | 47:11 | 46:57 | 30:33 | 26:07 / 33:35 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2023 | 36 | 50:51 | 51:32 | 35:25 | 34:15 / 42:23 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2023 | 25 | 1:02:18 | 1:01:40 | 42:22 | 44:12 / 41:27 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2023 | 193 | 49:42 | 50:03 | 30:54 | 26:44 / 27:06 |
| 3.1 Miles | 2023 | 82 | 39:38 | 42:00 | 26:13 | 22:47 / 34:20 |
Last summary update: May 9, 2026
Ready to register?
Finish signup on the organizer site (check fees and dates there).
From the organizer
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount is hosting the annual TACKLE THE TAR 5K Obstacle Course Race & Family Fun Day at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. Our first heat begins with our Kid’s 1-mile fun run at 8:45 A. M. and festivities will continue until noon.
Read full descriptionHide full description
All proceeds from this event go directly to the funding of college scholarships for deserving students in the Rocky Mount Area. Since 2016, thanks to you, we have raised and awarded over $510,000 in scholarships to youth in our community. Thank you for making such a difference in the lives of so many! Tackle the Tar is a 5K Obstacle Course Race that begins at the Rocky Mount Sports complex and courses through historic Battle Park and the E. B. Grain Company property. It comes complete with a MUD PIT and 20+ OBSTACLES to overcome. All racers will receive: T-shirt, medal, one free beer (if over 21), and goodie bag.