Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run set for August 8 | Black Mountain News

The Sourwood Festival is approaching fast, so organizers are inviting runners to sign up for the 21st Sourwood 5K and the Cheshire Pump & Run, two festival traditions.

They're also looking for some event sponsors and promoting a new way to get runners to patronize downtown businesses after they cross the finish line.

Both events start at the Cheshire Fitness Club. The 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. and follows a course through the south part of town.

The "Pump" portion starts at 6:45 a.m. During this event, runners can knock 20 seconds off their finish time for each repetition of bench presses they perform.

The weight will be based on age and percentage of their body weight, and participants can perform for 10 minutes or a maximum of 30 reps.

Organizers are also looking for sponsors at various levels. Sponsors get thier logos on the race shirts and recieve a variety of other marketing benefits.

This year, organizers are also pushing a free promotion called "Buzz the Businesses" in which any merchant can participate. The idea is to bring more runners downtown after the event, Andrew Marsh, event producer, said.

Here's how it works: business that sign up will offer some kind of deal to runners who bring thier bib number. Mechants can decide what kind of deal to offer - a dicount, free drink, etc. The event producers will put a list of participating businesses in race packet so runners will know where to get the deals.

This will be the first year the free marketing promotionis offered, and comes as Marsh's company, Event Mercenaries, takes over production of the 5K.

Black Mountain Natural Foods is the presenting sponsor of this year's event.

"Part of our mission at Black Mountain Natural Foods is to provide products that improve the health of people and the planet," Ken Bowman, owner of Black Mountain Natural Foods, said.

"Another part of our mission is to promote healthy and earth-friendly lifestyles. To that end, we are proud to be presenting sponsor of the Sourwood 5K and Pump & Run. Exercise is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, and it our hope that 5Ks and fun runs encourage people to improve thier fitness level. If you are not interested in doing a 5K, then get out and walk, bike, do yoga, or join the Cheshire Fitness Club," he said.

For more information, call 669-1902 or visit www.Sourwood5K.com