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!
Awards will be presented immediately after the race to the top 3 Overall Male & Female finishers in the 5,000 meter run, 10,000 meter run, and 1 Mile Fun Run. 1 Mile Fun Runners must be aged 13 or under to be eligible for awards. 5K and 10K age group awards will be presented to the top 3 finishers (male and female) in each of the following divisions: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over. No duplicat
5K: Great Waldensian Footrace T-Shirt
10K: Great Waldensian Footrace T-Shirt
| Distance | Price | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | $20.00 | Jan 24 | Feb 28 |
| $25.00 | Mar 1 | Jul 30 | |
| $30.00 | Jul 31 | Aug 6 | |
| 10K | $20.00 | Jan 24 | Feb 28 |
| $25.00 | Mar 1 | Jul 30 | |
| $30.00 | Jul 31 | Aug 6 | |
| 1 Miles | $0.00 |
| Year | Finishers | Median Time | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 28 | 55:40 | 37:46 |
| 2024 | 44 | 59:32 | 37:00 |
| 2023 | 64 | 56:12 | 35:21 |
| 2022 | 43 | 53:03 | 37:41 |
| Year | Finishers | Median Time | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31 | 11:23 | 6:58 |
| 2023 |
Interested in this race?
| Jan 24 |
| Aug 6 |
Race packets will be available for pickup at the Valdese Community Center starting at 7:00am the morning of the race. Race day registration will also be available through 7:45am. If you are planning to register at the race, please arrive early: registration will close promply at 7:45am to ensure an on-time start!
| 26 |
| 10:34 |
| 7:31 |
| 2022 | 24 | 9:12 | 6:45 |
| Year | Finishers | Median Time | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 116 | 30:12 | 16:52 |
| 2024 | 103 | 31:28 | 17:09 |
| 2023 | 102 | 30:06 | 17:14 |
| 2022 | 78 | 26:44 | 17:51 |