Registration open for the High Country Triple Crown running series

By Mary Sheryl Horine

Posted April 26, 2017 at 3:45 p.m.

BOONE, N.C.—Registration is open for the 13th High Country Triple Crown, a challenging and fun trio of races covering beautiful mountain terrain in Watauga County. The series is presented by Appalachian State University’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Institute for Health and Human Services (IHHS). All proceeds benefit Girls on the Run of the High Country, an afterschool program that inspires girls in the 3rd-8th grades to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.

Headquartered in Boone, the High Country Triple Crown consists of three races of varying difficulty and distance. All races showcase the breathtaking scenery of the North Carolina Mountains coupled with the vitality of the local community. Registration is now open at http://triplecrown.appstate.edu.

The first race in the series is The Valle Crucis Cub 7-Miler Presented by Mast General Store, This race will be held May 27 begining at 8 a.m. at the Valle Crucis School. Participants can register online or at the event starting at 6:30 a.m. Participants will receive T-shirts, age category awards, overall awards and chances for numerous donated door prizes.

Other races in the series are The High Country Half Marathon Presented by Foscoe Rentals on Aug. 26 and The Knob Presented by Modern Toyota and Modern Subaru of Boone on Sept. 30. Runners and walkers can also register for The Bonk, which is also scheduled for Sept. 30 and will give participants the opportunity to walk/run down Howard’s Knob.

Runners who participate in all three High Country Triple Crown races will be eligible to win $1,500 in cash prizes. The cost of all three races is $100 if registered by May 7. Registration fees are discounted for participants who register early or register for all three races.

For more information and to register for one or all races, 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, affordable education for all. 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.