Crack Of Dawn Dash
- Date
- July 11, 2026
- Location
- 401 Mulberry St SW, Lenoir, NC
- Distance
- Crack Of Dawn Dash 10K (Foothills Run Series Race #2) · Crack Of Dawn Dash 5K
From the Organizer
Wake up when the rooster crows and get to downtown Lenoir for The Third Annual Crack Of Dawn Dash! The race offers two distances (5K & 10K) and starts early so it will be nice and cool! The unique course traverses downtown on city streets, navigates some side roads and zips down the newest section of the Lenoir Greenway. Do it twice for the 10K distance with an opportunity to pass your cheering family, friends and spectators at the halfway point (Start / Finish line). The Crack Of Dawn Dash 10K is the official distance for The Foothills Run Series and therefore only results from the 10K distance will be considered toward the series ending standings.
Just because you are getting up early and getting your run on, we will have free, fresh, hot Southern biscuits handcrafted from scratch and provided by Biscuitville Of Lenoir (while they last!)
We will also have an amazing coffee truck with plenty of coffee and specialty drinks for purchase!
*Register by June 29 to secure your Third Annual Crack Of Dawn Dash event shirt!
Early Packet Pick Up - Friday (July 10) @ Liquid Roots Brewing (1048 Harper Ave) 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Race Day Packet Pick Up / Registration - Saturday (July 11) 5:45am - 6:45am
2026 Crack Of Dawn Dash 10K Awards:
* Top 3 Overall Male / Female (Winner - Custom Award + $35 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate , 2nd - Custom Award + $30 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate , 3rd - Custom Award + $25 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate)
* Winner Male / Female Master (40 & Over) (Winner - Custom Award + $25 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate)
*Top 3 Male / Female Age Groups (Winner - Custom Gold Finished Medal, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal, 3rd - Custom Bronze Finished Medal) 14 and 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+
2026 Crack Of Dawn Dash 5K Awards:
*Top 3 Overall Male / Female (Winner - Custom Award + $30 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate , 2nd - Custom Award + $25 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate , 3rd - Custom Award + $20 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate)
* Winner Male / Female Master (40 & Over) (Winner - Custom Award + $20 Mountain Running Company Gift Certificate)
*Top 3 Male / Female Age Groups (Winner - Custom Gold Finished Medal, 2nd - Custom Silver Finished Medal, 3rd - Custom Bronze Finished Medal) 14 and 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+
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
88°
Typical Low
67°
Chance of Rain
39%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Lenoir.
Host City
About Lenoir, NC
Population
18,282
as of 2023
Elevation
1,173 ft
Nearest Airport
CLT
Charlotte Douglas International Airport · 59 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Crack Of Dawn Dash, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
More Running races near Lenoir, NC
Firecracker 10k, 5k and Kids Fun Run
Youth
Less than a mile away
50th Annual Great Waldensian Footrace
12 miles away
Southern Sundown 4 Miler
Less than a mile away
5K Zombie Run & One Mile Spooky Family Fun Run
5K
15 miles away
From Endurance Grid
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.
Running
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Crack Of Dawn Dash?
- Crack Of Dawn Dash is a running race held in Lenoir, North Carolina on July 11, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Crack Of Dawn Dash?
- Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Lenoir, North Carolina at 401 Mulberry St SW, Lenoir, NC. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Crack Of Dawn Dash?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Crack Of Dawn Dash
Jul 11, 2026