Festive 'Ugly Sweater Run' becoming tradition in Mills River

MILLS RIVER - They came decked in tree boughs and glitter, floppy hats and flashing lights, Santa dresses and Santa shorts, reindeer antlers, bells and beards, and of course, some amazing sweaters.

Nearly 400 runners and walkers crossed the finish line of the 2023 Ugly Sweater Run 5K and 10K races in Mills River on Dec. 2, and the vast majority were dressed for the occasion.

“The outfits and sweaters were absolutely amazing; this year was definitely the most creative we have seen,” said Hendersonville runner and race director Daphne Kirkwood, whose company, iDaph Events, puts on more than a dozen running, cycling and triathlon events in Henderson and Buncombe counties each year.

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“Also, if you didn't wear something festive, you sorta stuck out ... I would say 90 percent of the attendees were wearing something festive this year. We saw everything from homemade sweaters with Christmas trees on them to Santa outfits and everything in between. It was so much fun to see everyone get into the holiday spirit.”

The races are held each year at the Riveter, a bike park and rock climbing gym that also offers yoga, a fitness center, tap room and retail shop on Old Fanning Bridge Road. Finishers were rewarded with ugly sweater Christmas tree ornaments and event T-shirts, and overall and age-group winners took home locally handmade candles.

“This year's Ugly Sweater Run at the Riveter was an absolute blast. We had a fantastic turnout … and lots of participants showed up in the most hilarious and outrageous sweaters we've ever seen, Kirkwood said.

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“Having support from Hunter Subaru, the Riveter and our non-profit partner, Asheville Homebuilders Association, really makes for a fantastic event for our community.”

Runners and walkers of all ages turned out for the event, including toddlers pushed in strollers. The 5K saw nine finishers in the 70-and-over age division, as well as 24 youth under age 10, thanks in part to the Fairview Elementary Running Club.

The youngsters ran the races with their families, cheering each other across the finish line and celebrating the milestone together.

“We loved having this school running group participate this year,” Kirkwood said. “It was so fun to have this race as a conclusion to a running club season. The additional families that were there this year made it even more festive and fun.”

The fourth-year event was the largest yet, after the races’ debut in 2020 drew about 140 participants. And Kirkwood plans to continue what is becoming a local tradition into 2024 and beyond.

“We came up with the idea for the Ugly Sweater Run, because we wanted to do something fun and festive to celebrate the holiday season in tandem with keeping our community moving through the crazy holiday season," she said. “We loved the idea of combining a festive run with the hilarity of ugly sweaters, and it's been such a hit year after year. The race has grown every single year and the energy and excitement of it is electric.”

As an outdoor adventure center, Kirkwood said the Riveter is the perfect host, calling it a “fantastic venue with a great vibe, plenty of space and great amenities. It is a location that has something for every family member to do there from climbing, to bikes, yoga, a gym and more. Plus, it's in a prime location that's easy for everyone to get to if you are coming from Hendersonville, Brevard Asheville or the surrounding areas,” she said.

“I also found the countryside course to be something unique, scenic and awesome, and the runners think so, too.”

Heath Smith of Fairview won the men’s 5K in 18:10, followed by Arthur Privette of Asheville and Ryan McCormick of Candler. Valerie Gortmaker of Asheville won the women’s race in 22:39, followed by 13-year-old Jessa Efird of Whittier and Briar Buchanan of Asheville.

Arthur Drexler of Asheville won the men’s 10K race in 40:22, followed by James Mauney of Johnson City, Tenn. and Steve Dalton of Hendersonville. Isabela Vieira, 13, of Arden won the women’s 10k in 46:10, with Gabrielle Villa of Fletcher in second and Melissa Barker of Mars Hill in third.

iDaph Events will next host a New Year’s Resolution Run on Jan. 1 in Asheville and the Frostbite 10K, 5K and 1-mile races at the Lelia Patterson Center in Fletcher on Feb. 18.

Race information and results can be found at www.idaph.net.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Ugly Sweater Run celebrates holidays' festive spirit in Mills River