JP5K
Race Details
We will again be both a LIVE and a VIRTUAL event for 2023.
The LIVE event will be held this year on Saturday, September 2, 2023, in Chapin, SC beginning at 7:30 AM. We will be attempting to get Lexington County to overturn their decision of not allowing us to run in Brighton Technology Park during the first part of 2023 and will update everyone as we proceed. Alternately, Crooked Creek Park has invited us to return to the park, should we deem that our best option. This could become our new home. As always, follow our social media feeds for updates. The Justin Pepper 5K kicks off the Chapin Labor Day Festival weekend.
The VIRTUAL event will be open during Labor Day Weekend, beginning on Saturday, September 2, and ending on Monday, September 4. It may be run anywhere, anytime....even on a treadmill. The virtual event is mainly for fun and times will not be incorporated into the competitive in-person event on Saturday, September 2nd.
For information on safety precautions should they be needed, due to covid extensions, this page will be updated by August 13th 2023.
Click HERE for details.
This is a charity event. Proceeds support The Justin Pepper Foundation. Established in 2007, the foundation provides awards and scholarships to youth that excel in community service activities. In the past nine years, the foundation has awarded $41,000 in scholarships, assisting students with educational opportunities beyond high school.
PLEASE NOTE:
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Ladies, race shirts are universal sizing so you may want to go down one size.
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Baby strollers/joggers are permitted but must participate at the rear of the race.
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NO bicycles, in-line skates, roller skates, scooters, and/or other wheeled vehicles except wheelchairs.
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You will be allowed to bring a dog with you. In fact we have several ways your dog can participate in fun activities. If you plan to bring a dog, you need to note that on your race registration. We ask that you pick up after your dog and keep the dog under control at all times.....to ensure the safety of all our participants. Especially those children that may have a fear of dogs.
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T-shirts are not guaranteed if registered after FRIDAY AUGUST 18, 2023.
Packet Pick Up Information
For the 2023 event we are are hosting TWO packet pickup opportunities.
Thursday, August 31, from 4 PM to 6 PM at Strictly Running
2515 Devine Street, Columbia, SC
Friday, September 1, from 4 PM to 7 PM at either
Crooked Creek Park or Palmetto Bone and Joint.
Please note: THIS IS A DRIVE THRU PICK UP.
Watch for signs as you enter the parking lot.
Route Map....
Both Routes are certified. Details on which route we will use
will be updated no later than May 1, 2023.
Ruck Details
We consider ourselves an 'introduction to ruck' event and therefore have some more lenient rules. We want to encourage new ruckers to test the waters, so to speak, in our event. If you choose to participate in the ruck division your backpack must be at least 15 pounds (most events are 20 pounds). Your backpack may contain actual weights OR you are encouraged to stuff your backpack with donations for charity.
You can register as a ruck team. There will be a team ruck award given. The fastest team award will be based on the following rules. (1) You must have at least 4 people on your team to qualify. (2) The fastest team will be determined by averaging the times of the top four fastest finishers on your team. (3) The four fastest team finishers must not be disqualified at the Finish Line weigh in. (4) Ruck teams are limited to six members. Note: If ruckers are team registered with less than four members they will become individual ruck participants for the event.
We will have a drop table at the half way point in the course, if your pack becomes too cumbersome and you wish to empty your donation and finish the race a little lighter, you may leave your donations at this point.... PLEASE NOTE: Your backpack will be weighed at the Finish Line and if it is less than 15 pounds, you may not qualify for race awards.
All ruck participants will have the choice between two shirts offered..... the standard race shirt and a special ruck shirt. Ruck participants will also receive a patch for their backpacks, if they complete the course, as they cross the Finish Line.
It is our goal to encourage our Walk/Run participants to strive for Ruck participation in future Justin Pepper 5K races.
YOUTH RUCK PARTICIPANTS: Those under the age of 16 that wish to participate in the ruck are allowed (and encouraged) to only carry the minimum weight of 10% of their body weight instead of the required 15 pounds. Again, we pride ourselves in being a beginning ruck event and want to encourage all to participate. However, we do not want youth to over extend their abilities and hurt themselves.
Prizes
The Awards Ceremony for the 2023 event will begin at 8:45 AM (or after the last participant returns from the route). Medals and Prizes not distributed on race day will be mailed, however we strongly encourage participants to stay for the awards ceremony to cheer on those that have accomplished a great feat in acquiring a medal for their efforts.
Finisher medals will be sent to all participants in the Virtual Run, along with a race shirt and race bib.
The following Prizes and Medals will be awarded in the Walk, Run, Ruck!
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Prizes and Medals for Top Three 5K Male and Female finishers in the Walk/Run
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Prizes and Medals for the 1st place finishers Male and Female in the Walk/Run in the following categories: Masters (40+), Grand Masters (50+), Senior Masters (60+) and Veteran Masters (70+)
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Medals for Top Three in each age category both male and female in the Walk/Run
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Prizes and Medals for Top Three 5K Male and Female finishers in the Ruck!
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Prizes and Medals for Top Three Ruck Teams
NOTE: Overall winners in the walk/run are not eligible for age-category awards. Ruck teams are not eligible for top three placement medals and awards.
Age Categories: 10 & Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & Over.
Volunteer Info
Click photo for Volunteer information
Bibs and Shirts...
We know your race shirts are an important part of your race experience. We shop for a good quality comfortable shirt that you will enjoy wearing. This year for the first time we have incorporated our scholarship logo and our mascot pepper. The very colorful shirt will be one you will be proud to wear on race day and beyond.
Bibs are another thing we take pride in. We strive to offer a unique bib that you are proud to hold on to after the race as a reminder of the great race experience you had.
The photos below are from 2022 and will be updated as we release information for 2023.
