Photo above: Racers get ready to start the 2016 Annual Beaufort Twilight Run. Photo provided.
Staff reports
The 9th Annual Beaufort Twilight Run (BTR) is welcoming three top marathoners to this year’s race presented by Habersham Properties from 4-9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, in Habersham Marketplace.
Along with the more than 2,600 participants and spectators across 20 states anticipated, the BTR will host running professionals from Zap Fitness-Reebok – including one of America’s top 5 marathoners, Tyler Pennel.
Pennel will be accompanied by teammates Pardon Ndhlovu, who recently ran in the Rio Olympic Marathon for Zimbabwe, and Nicole Dimercurio, who is a University of Georgia graduate quickly building her professional running career running in the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials. All three runners will be in town to compete in the BTR’s 10-mile race.
“The BTR keeps growing and has now captured the attention of world-class athletes,” said BTR Race Director Lauren Kelly. “This race is scenic, fast and easy to follow and there is something for everyone – from families walking the 5K to local running clubs competing to athletes trying to break state records to world-class marathoners training at our race. It’s a true running festival.”
The USATF-sanctioned running festival is Chronotrack timed by RMS Sports and offers more race options than any other event in the Lowcountry – drawing competitive runners and recreational participants.
The BTR offers events for runners and walkers at all levels including a signature 13.1 Mile Beaufort Challenge (10 mile plus 5K runs); 10-mile run; 8K-run; 5K run/walk; 1 mile youth run; and Kids’ Fun Run. The BTR is one of three events in South Carolina offering a 10 miler.
All race courses are spectator-friendly and flat, offering beautiful marsh views while racing beneath canopies of live oaks.
“There’s something for everyone at the Beaufort Twilight Run,” said BTR Event Director Jeff Althoff. “The race will be awesome and the post-race party will have great live entertainment and, back by popular demand, a wide variety of food trucks for everyone to enjoy.”
This family-friendly event is a draw not only for participants in the six races, but for spectators who are looking for an evening with live music and great food.
This year the BTR welcomes back the band Broke Locals who are from Beaufort and specialize in “Southern Fried Funk.” Throughout the afternoon and evening, a variety of delicious food and beverage options will be available from gourmet food trucks and from the Habersham Marketplace restaurants.
The BTR’s total cash purse is more than $6,000 with payouts to be awarded in the 13.1 Mile Beaufort Challenge, 10-mile run, 8K run and 5K run.
Categories include the three overall male and female winners of each of those races, as well as for the top male and female Masters (40+), Active Duty Military and Hometown Hero (a Beaufort County resident). In addition to cash prizes, age group winners will receive a gift for their accomplishment.
For online details about race registration and more, visit www.BeaufortTwilightRun.com.
Early registration discounts are available for all participants, as well as additional discounts for students, groups of 10 or more and active duty military.
The BTR’s mission is to host a fun, competitive and memorable annual event for Beaufort. In the past seven years, the BTR has raised more than $400,000 to benefit Riverview Charter School – a free public school open to Beaufort County K-8th grade students. This year’s goal is to raise more than $80,000 to be used for the school’s technology, after-school and physical education programs.
