Around the World Run

The Around the World Run begins at Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville, North Carolina, as a September race coinciding with the International Folk Festival. Participants can choose an in-person 5K run/walk or select from virtual 5K and 10K options for those unable to attend on race day. The festival's significance lies in its role in uniting Fayetteville communities through food, performances, and multicultural heritage, positioning the run within a broader community weekend rather than as a standalone event. The 5K course incorporates sections of road, the Cross Creek Linear Park Trail, and the Cape Fear River Trail, featuring broad paths and several wooden bridges. This race benefits the FOCA Scholarship Fund, which provides merit- and need-based scholarships to spouses and children of Civil Affairs Soldiers, and is dedicated to these soldiers and their families. Awards are presented to overall and age-group finishers, teams compete for a largest-team prize, and virtual runners are eligible for a Furthest From Fort Bragg award.