BOONE—The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Institute for Health and Human Services (IHHS) in the Appalachian State University Beaver College of Health Sciences announces the High Country Half Marathon will be held on Aug. 29 at 7:30 a.m. This is the second race in the High Country Triple Crown series and all proceeds benefit Girls on the Run of the High Country, a self-confidence building program for girls in the 3rd-8th grade. The presenting sponsor for The High Country Half Marathon is Mast General Store.

The race debuted in 2011 and participants described it as challenging, exciting and lots of fun with spectacular scenery. “We try to bring our Girls on the Run energy to the Triple Crown races,” said race director Stacy Sears. “We celebrate the fact that we’re healthy and are able to run. Combine that with dedicated volunteers, a beautiful mountain course, cool awards and enthusiastic runners and you’ve got a great race.”

The race begins at Kidd Brewer Stadium on campus and follows picturesque roads of Watauga County before ending in Blowing Rock at the Equestrian Preserve.

Participants can register online and read a full route description at www.triplecrown.appstate.edu. The $55 early registration fee is available until Aug. 11. From Aug. 12 until race day, the registration fee is $65. Other races in the High Country Triple Crown Series include The Knob and The Bonk, which are sponsored by Foscoe Rentals and will be held on Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m.

Runners who participate in all three High Country Triple Crown races will be eligible to win $1,500 in cash prizes. Additionally, finishers of the Half Marathon will receive moisture-wicking shirts, goody bags, finisher’s medals, age group and overall awards and chances at numerous door prizes.

Girls on the Run of the High Country and the High Country Triple Crown are hosted and sponsored by the Appalachian State University Beaver College of Health Sciences. For more information about the college, visit http://healthsciences.appstate.edu. To register for The High Country Half Marathon or The Knob, please visit http://triplecrown.appstate.edu or call 828-262-7557.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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