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  • ONLINE REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED.
    In-person registration is available at packet pickup (cash or check only)  $15 late registration fee (no discount offers accepted).     

    2023 Backpack Run presented by Johnson orthodontics

    10th Annual Backpack Run - March 18
    Lower registration prices!

    8-Miler - Race starts at 8 a.m.

    5K & 10K - Race starts at 10 a.m.

    Location:  Green Hill Park, Salem, VA

    Virtual options available for all races and the Backpack Challenge

     
    Packet pickup on Friday, March 17 at RunAboutSports in Roanoke from 3-6 p.m. or at Green Hill Park before the 5K & 10K races start at 10 a.m.
    8-Miler participants must come to packet pickup on Friday.

    There is a $15 packet pickup or on-site late registration fee and no discounts are available. Must pay by cash or check payable to the RCPS Education Foundation.

    Roanoke County Public Schools Education Foundation, a 501©3 non-profit organization, is presenting the 10th Annual Backpack Run. Proceeds will be used to provide financial support for Roanoke County Public Schools education programs including grants for teachers and scholarships for students.

    Once again this year we are offering the best of both worlds - in-person and virtual races.

    TAKE THE BACKPACK CHALLENGE - participate in all three events (5K, 10K & 8-miler) to earn not only the three individual finisher medals but a fourth exclusive Backpack Challenge medal!!

    Virtual events can be completed at your own pace!  ANY kind of exercise counts - running, walking, treadmill, bike, elliptical - ANYTHING!!!  Best of all you can do this at your pace - you can do a mile or two at a time and combine those miles over time to meet the requirement for each event or the Backpack Challenge.  Mileage is on the honor system.

    Note:  Virtual/challenge medals will be available for pickup or shipping in May.

    Registration now open - click this link register!  

    Registration fees (priced reduced this year!):

    5K:  $15-$30
    10K:  $30-$50
    8-Miler:  $55-$70
    Backpack Challenge (5K, 10K, & 8-Miler + 4th exclusive medal):  $100-$120

    T-shirts
    T-shirts are no longer included with registration.  Race t-shirts are available for purchase before March 1 ($10 each).

     

  • Thank you to our sponsors!

    PRESENTING SPONSOR:

    Johnson Orthodontics

     

    ELITE SPONSORS:

    Member One

    southern team

     

    CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSORS:

    Dogwood Restaurant

    Guynn, Waddell, Carroll & Lockaby, PC

    Lionberger Construction

    Magnets, USA / LifeLong Gifts

  • BE A SPONSOR!

    Champion Sponsor (5 sponsorships available) - $500 for one, $750 for two, $1000 for three
    Shown as Champion Sponsor at one (or more) kilometer/mile marker(s) along the race course.
    Company Logo on optional t-shirt (if signed up before March 1)
    Company name on website

    Sprinter Sponsor - $250
    Company name on website


    Contact Chuck Lionberger (562-3700 or clionberger@rcps.us) to sign up as a sponsor!
5K/10K course (5K one lap, 10K two laps):

8-Miler Course (two laps):

  • The course for the 2023 Backpack Run 5K and 10K is unchanged from recent years. Runners will begin near the front parking area, curving around the south side of the Green Hill property.  Runners will cross the creek and use a short trail to connect to the south side of the baseball field access road.  Runners will then pass along the baseball parking lot and connect to the greenway, passing the water station.  Runners will follow the greenway back to the greenway parking lot near the entrance of Green Hill Park.  At this point, runners will turn around and follow the same course in reverse.  5K runners will complete one lap of this out-back course.  10K runners will complete two laps of this out-back course.

    The updated course for the 2023 Backpack Run 8-Miler will follow the existing 5K/10K course with one deviation near the creek crossing.  The course will continue beyond the start/finish line along the parking lot access road and go through the start/finish line to receive a split time.  8-Miler runners will complete two laps of this 4-mile course.