HICKORY — The Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department will host the third annual Ruff, Ruff, Run 5K and Dog Festival in September, the city said Aug. 25, 2026.
The 5K begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Winkler Park, 2500 Clement Blvd. The city described a 3.1-mile loop of paved and wooded trails. Dogs must be leashed and have proof of vaccinations.
The Dog Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. before and after the race, with food trucks, music, dog-focused vendors, obedience demonstrations, and a dog yoga session after the 5K.
Registration is open at runsignup.com/Race/NC/Hickory/HickoryKSeries. The fee is $30, rising to $35 after Sept. 13. Runners who register by Sept. 13 receive a custom event t-shirt. Later registrants may get shirts on a first-come, first-served basis.
Packet pickup is at Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th Street Drive NE, on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, Sept. 25, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Race bibs and t-shirts may also be picked up at Winkler Park on race day between 9:30 and 10:45 a.m.
The Hickory 5K Series is presented by Frye Regional Medical Center, listed as the Official Healthcare Provider of the series, and OS1st, listed as the Official Performance Sock of the series. Additional Ruff, Ruff, Run sponsors named by the city are SynergyLabs, Catawba Valley Animal Hospital, Outdoor Supply Company, Toasted, Foot Solutions of Hickory, and Cook’s Sports.
For more information, the city listed Lance Riddile at 828-322-7046, ext. 7254, or [email protected].
The Aug. 25 notice does not list a participant cap, a rain date, or last year’s attendance.
Official release from City of Hickory, Aug. 25, 2026. https://www.hickorync.gov/city-hickory-host-third-annual-ruff-ruff-run-5k-and-dog-festival
