Hickory 5K Series

The Hickory 5K Series comprises five 5K races held in Hickory, North Carolina, from late March to the end of October. It combines the Easter Egg Scramble, Aviation 5K, Lightning Bug Boogie night trail run, Ruff Ruff Run, and Trick or Trot into a single season-long competition. Runners maintain the same bib number throughout all events. The scoring system is straightforward: each race contributes to series points, with the first-place finisher receiving 50 points. The Easter Egg Scramble and Trick or Trot races award double points. The races take place on different courses throughout Hickory. The Easter Egg Scramble utilizes sections of the Hickory Riverwalk Trail and Geitner Trail within Hickory City Park. The Lightning Bug Boogie is also held in the park, but as a night trail run. The Aviation 5K primarily follows the Aviation Trail, ascends towards Hickory Regional Airport, passes near the Crawdads stadium, and concludes at the Hickory pedestrian bridge. The Ruff Ruff Run is associated with a Dog Festival at L.P. Frans Stadium and Winkler Park. The series concludes with the Trick or Trot at Highland Recreation Center on Halloween. Awards are presented to the top three finishers overall and in age groups ranging from 0-9 to 70+, with participants ineligible for both overall and age-group awards.