
From the Organizer
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!
Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
Biltmore Kiwanis Classic
7th Annual Lean30 Lake Norman Half Marathon Forest Run
Eagle 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Concord, NC (28)
MRT 2026 1 Mile
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
50th Annual Great Waldensian Footrace
Aug 8, 2026