September Races in Asheville, NC

September Runs in Asheville, NC

EarthFare5K 2015

Looking for a running event in AVL? Whether a first timer, intermediate, or novice, the Autumn months is the time to schedule a run in and around this mountain city. There are multiple events during the month of September and the best part about it is, it is not too cold or too hot, the temperature will be just right and the leaves will begin to turn, making this a great time to visit for a run.

Upcoming September Races:

September 5th-Apple Festival 8K-Hendersonville, NC (after the run enjoy some cider and the fun at the annual Apple Festival on the streets of what is known as a hidden treasure, Hendersonville, N.C.)

September 5-6-AVL Running Experience-this is a series of races featuring a Hero's 5K (very popular), 8K Trail Run, and Half Marathon, are among the events planned and the kick off is the packet pick-up on the 4th. It is literally a party, complete with beer and food trucks.

September 5-5K Marine Fun Run at Crowned Plaza, this is a great run benefiting  the Asheville VA, Wounded Warriors and JR. ROTC. This is also considered a tough 5k but worth it.

September 12-Autism 5K-great run for a great cause. The course starts downhill but do not be fooled, the first hill is a big one, but this is a great race for beginners and beyond. Plus, last year they had dip-n-dots.

September 12-NCSHP Glow Run 5K-After running the Autism run, head out to Hendersonville to run this fun run supporting law enforcement torch run for special Olympics.

September 13-Du Asheville Du-10K Trail Run and duathlon

September 19-Southcliff Black and Blue 6.5M and 2.6M-Fairview, NC. This is a truly awesome experience, located in Fairview, part trail part road race, and post race includes catered lunch and beer.

September 26th-Run the Forest 5K-starting at Carolina Day School, runners will be running through Biltmore Forest-this is for Asheville Eye Associates

September 26th-Bare Bones 8M/5K Trail Run-This is considered a great trail run for beginners and regular running shoes will be fine.

These are several runs occurring in September in or around Asheville. There are so many more including a 208M Blue Ridge Relay, for bikers/runners (duathloletes). So come on out to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and work up an appetite then go eat in one of the best food cities in the U.S.A.

note: check out sites such as active.com, to register, but for most of these just type in the name of the event and it will send you to the registration page.

Highland Brewery 4 Mile Run and Fun

Highland Brewery

Located off of Fairview Road and Old Charlotte highway on top of a hill is one of Asheville's most beloved breweries, Highlands. Highlands craft beverages have become a huge favorite for many and a visit to this and other local venues is a must for any beer lover. The tours are free, capacity is at 30 people and there is a tasting room (call ahead just in case a tour gets cancelled due to a private event and to check for times).

the meadow after the 1st Race to the taps series at Highlands

Beside the brewery is "the meadow," or what is the outside stage and picnic area and it is peaceful and a great place to enjoy some sunshine. Many people bring their family, throw Frisbees, play games, have a picnic, enjoy a drink, or bring the lawn chairs while listening to a band outside. It is relaxing, and was the perfect beginning to the Race to the Taps series on April 25th. Something that may not be known about this place is, they have a running group. Talk about best of both worlds, exercise and a delicious brew, YES! Apparently, the group meets Wednesday evenings and take runners throughout mainly quiet streets and a short trail on the property. Not to fret, walkers and friendly dogs are welcome to join, there is a 1 mile, 2+ mile, and 4.2 mile runs. So, no matter the level, go on out and enjoy some time with exercise and beer enthusiasts alike.

In addition to just being a fun place to chill, the brewery offers many events and, in all reality, helps out local food trucks. The brewery does not serve food but has trucks that rotate and come out to feed the crowds, so to write, and they are good. They also hold charity events such as "Pizza-pandemonium" (think that is right) to help local charities and have Asheville's School of Rock play throughout the year along side celebrities and other artists.

So, check out the website, check out Highlands, do not forget to get a gift from the shop, and just enjoy the laid back no rush atmosphere.

Pumpkin Patches in Western North Carolina

It is officially October! That means, pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins, and cornmazes, and fall festivals! For anyone living in or visiting the Asheville area this fall, here is a list of some cornmazes, festival, and pumpkin patches to visit during the month of October:

• Eliada Cornmaze-one of the most popular in the region and has food, corn box, pumpkins, corn chunkin, hayride, a scary cornmaze at night, and three fun mazes to try. (Buncombe County)
• Stingy Jack's Pumpkin Patch-pumpkin chunkin, carving, hayrides, and trails (Transylvania County)
• Hickory Nut Gap Farm (Buncombe)-also featuring a run/walk.hike on Oct. 13-all who participate receive a pumpkin
• Taylor Ranch-new this year in Buncombe, the pink cornmaze. The ranch is having a fall filled October to support the "Breast Cancer center at Mission Hospital." The ranch will be open every weekend in October, have live music, food, hayrides, haunted trails, cornmazes, and games.
• Grandad's Apples (Hendersonville)-this apple farm features some of the biggest pumpkins around! There is a cornmaze, food, fun train, photo stops, and farm animals. It's a great place to get apples and pumpkins.
• Stepp's Hillcrest Apple Farm-(Hendersonville)-pick apples, grapes, and pumpkins. This is a great family farm and wonderful to visit during the autumn season.
• Cold Mountain Corn Maze (Canton)-the mountain made famous in a book and movie is a great place to go enjoy a cool autumn day in the mountains.
• Blue Ridge Corn Maze (Brevard)-this is a popular corn maze in beautiful Pisgah Forest. One of the features is it's haunted corn maze.

There is also a pumpkin patch in Madison County. I will hopefully have more info on that in a few days. This is not all to do in Asheville in October, but it's a good start. Happy Autumn!

Asheville In Food Network Magazine

While reading the October 2012 issue on Food Netowrk Magazine (which is awesome!), I came across an article for Asheville, N.C. as "Foodtopia." All I have to say is, way to go Asheville! I am amazed at the advertising this area has received in the past few years. To be recognized on an entire page as a "foodtopia" in this magainze is huge. It is a wonderful area.

Beer For Autumn

Check out my beer list for autumn, for those cool fall evenings, and feel free to make sugestions of local brews.

Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Looking for something to do this week? Visit Hickory Nut Gap Farm in beautiful Fairview, N.C. Not far from Asheville, this farm is open everyday in September and October in celebration of the coming of fall and Halloween!

The farm features fresh food, as always, mazes, pumpkin picking, apples, berries, and a chance to meet some farm animals (always a plus for the kids). You can even put in an order for a Thanksgiving turkey!

This farm is great for locals, school groups, and visitors. It is open to the public year around, but everyday in Septemner and October. For anyone looking for a fun, laid back, fall like farm trip, this a great place to go (not to mention a great way to keep it local).

Dan Savage At UNCA

The so called anti-bullying and gay rights activist is set to speak at UNCA this month. He claims to be against bullying, but he fact is, he is only against it towards specific groups of people. Everyone else, including pro-lifers, Christians, Mormons, God, and anything to do with the Bible. Even so, he claims to be anti-religious, yet he attacks one specific religion (blaming his upbringing).

Savage is a prime example of a boy who was forced into circumstances he could not control and then bullied and made fun of because he was not like all the other boys. As a result, in adulthood, he has decided to go on the defensive and bad mouth anything to do with what happened to him during his childhood. He has shifted his anger about what happened onto all who share any similarities to those who treated him badly.

For one to say, that is not understandable would be wrong. It is understandable that a grudge such as this can be held for a lifetime if one wants, and it is especially hard to give up wanting to see a group related to these problems not suffer out of desire for revenge. The problem with it is, he is suppose to be speaking against hate speech and hate acts, but as his incident earlier this year made clear, he is only speaking for one community. Instead of being a spokesperson against bullying (especially since he seems to verbally abuse and bully those who do not agree with him or have the slightest difference of opinion), perhaps he should be more specific and just be a spokesperson for the gay community only because he is not an anti-bullying activist. He is, however, an activist for homosexual rights.

Overall, his reception at UNCA will no doubt be welcoming.