Join us in Hendersonville, NC, Saturday, September 12th, for the Inaugural Railway 5k & 1 Mile presented by Aetna!
The Railway Races are a running celebration of history, movement, and community, hosted on the Ecusta Trail — a former railroad corridor transformed into a shared-use greenway connecting Hendersonville and Brevard.
This inaugural event brings families, walkers, and runners together for a one mile fun run/walk and a family-friendly 5K. Each distance was chosen intentionally to reflect the character of the trail and to create an inclusive, meaningful race-day experience for participants of all ages and abilities.
ABOUT THE ECUSTA TRAIL
The Ecusta Trail follows a historic railroad corridor that once served as an important transportation route through Western North Carolina. Today, it represents connection, access, and transformation — linking communities while preserving the history of the region.
The Railway Races honors the legacy of this corridor while inviting participants to experience it on foot as part of a thoughtfully designed running event.
Race date & course subject to change
Discounted 5k pricing for kids 12 and under!
We love seeing families get active together! All participants ages 12 and under can register for the 5k for just $25 through August 30th. After that time, the price increases to $30 until race day. (No code needed—the discount is automatically applied at checkout!)
PLEASE NOTE: Kids 12 and under will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Swag + Medals
Register before August 16th at midnight and receive a short sleeve, Bella Canvas event shirt, available in Youth & Adult sizes, FREE with your registration!
After that date, shirts will only be available for $25 in limited quantities and sizes.
| ADULT SHIRT | YOUTH SHIRT |
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All participants will receive a commemorative finisher medal after the race!
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Packet Pickup
Pre-event Packet Pickup
- Friday, September 11th
- Time/location TBD
Race Day Packet Pickup
- Saturday, September 12th
- Trailhead Pavilion & Hendersonville Welcome Center Parking Lot (201 S Main Street, Hendersonville, NC)
- 6:15am - 7:00am
- Pickup will end promptly at 7:00am
Did you register to participate in person but can't make it on race day? You have options!
We understand that plans can change! If you're unable to participate in your registered event, we offer several options to help, including switching to the virtual event, deferring your entry, or requesting a change in race distance. These options provide flexibility while helping offset the administrative time and costs associated with registration changes.
#1 VIRTUAL EVENT: You can transfer your registration to the virtual event at any point before the start of the race. The virtual event gives you the flexibility to train and race from wherever you call home, on your schedule. Plus, you still get the awesome race swag! Complete your race at a time and place that works best for you—whether that's your neighborhood streets, favorite trail, or a destination run. Submit your results online and celebrate your accomplishment with runners from across the country. Virtual swag will be shipped after the event. Email support@idaph.net to request the transfer.
NOTE: Transfers to the virtual event within two weeks prior to the event will incur a $12 charge to cover packaging and shipping.
#2 DEFERRAL: If you're unable to participate, you may request a deferral up to 15 days before race day. Requests received after this deadline cannot be accommodated.
Deferral Fees
Half Marathon & Marathon: $25
5K, 8K & 10K: $15
To request a deferral, simply purchase the Deferral option from the Race Store on the registration platform.
Once your request is processed, you'll receive a digital iDaph Events gift card equal to your registration fee (less processing and service fees.) The gift card may be used to register for any iDaph-owned Signature Event or given to a friend or family member for use toward their registration. Gift Cards are not redeemable for client/partner events.
Participants who purchased the pre-event shipping option are not eligible for a deferral once their race packet has been shipped. Packets are typically packed for shipment three weeks prior to race day.
Any eligible additional products or add-ons purchased with your registration will be refunded when your transfer or deferral is processed.
#3 RACE DISTANCE CHANGE: You may switch from one distance to another within the same event. There will be no refunds for any price difference when dropping down. When moving up, you will be required to pay the price difference before the transfer is made. Participants who purchased the pre-event shipping option and had their race bibs mailed in advance will be required to attend packet pickup to swap their bib. Email support@idaph.net to request the change in distance.
TRANSFERS BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS: Transfers between participants are prohibited. Running with another participant's bib creates serious safety and timing issues. Emergency responders and race officials rely on the registration information associated with each bib, including emergency contacts and medical information. If someone is wearing another person's bib, medical care could be delayed or based on incorrect information, and the wrong emergency contact could be notified.
Bib swapping also compromises the integrity of race results and awards. If the registered participant and the person wearing the bib are different ages or genders, overall and age group results can be incorrect, affecting multiple participants.
Participants found running with another person's bib will be automatically disqualified. Individuals participating without registering ("bandits") or wearing another participant's bib will be banned from future iDaph Events.
We suggest that if you want to ‘give’ your entry to a friend/family member that you use the ‘DEFERRAL’ option. You will receive an iDaph Gift card and you can gift this to your friend or family member to get signed up.
REFUNDS: Our team begins planning and investing in your race experience months before race day. Expenses such as permits, insurance, medals, shirts, timing, supplies, and staffing are incurred well in advance of the event. For this reason, all registrations are non-refundable.
In the event the race is canceled, postponed, modified, or impacted by severe weather, natural disasters, public safety concerns, government actions, or other circumstances beyond our control, refunds will not be issued.
We understand that plans can change and injuries happen. While refunds are not available, participants have options such as moving to a different race distance, switching to the virtual event, or deferring their registration in accordance with the event's registration policies and deadlines.
CANCELLATION & EVENT MODIFICATION: The safety of our participants, volunteers, spectators, and community is our highest priority. If circumstances beyond our control—including, but not limited to, severe weather, natural disasters, public safety concerns, government actions, emergency situations, course conditions, or the inability to obtain or maintain required permits—affect the event, iDaph Events reserves the right to modify, delay, shorten, postpone, cancel, or convert the event to a virtual experience.
Should the event be converted to a virtual event, all in-person registrations will automatically be transferred to the virtual option, and participant swag will be mailed at no additional charge.
Event schedule
- Sat, September 12, 2026 6:15 AM - Race Day Packet Pickup: Trailhead Pavilion & Hvl Welcome Ctr (6:15am - 7:00am)
- Sat, September 12, 2026 7:30 AM - 5k Race Starts at the Trailhead Pavilion
- Sat, September 12, 2026 7:35 AM - 1 Mile Fun Run Starts at the Trailhead Pavilion
- Sat, September 12, 2026 8:45 AM - 5k Awards Ceremony (approximate)
- Sat, September 12, 2026 9:00 AM - Course Cutoff
Registration fees
Where pricing applies, shown amounts include mandatory charges, items, and fees.
In-Person 5k
Price changes in 1 month 9 days-
Includes finisher medal, free shirt until deadline, complimentary race photos and goody bag
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$45.00
Early Registration
May 28 – Jun 14 -
Register for In-Person 5k$50.38
Regular Registration
Now registering Jun 15 – Aug 30 -
$55.75
Late Registration
Aug 31 – Sep 12
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Virtual 5k
Price changes in 1 month 9 days-
NOT PARTICIPATING IN-PERSON
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$45.00
Early Registration
May 28 – Jun 14 -
Register for Virtual 5k$50.38
Regular Registration
Now registering Jun 15 – Aug 30 -
$55.75
Late Registration
Aug 31 – Sep 12
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1 Mile Fun Run (un-timed)
Includes finisher medal, free shirt until deadline, complimentary race photos and goody bag
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Register for 1 Mile Fun Run (un-timed)$28.88
Standard Registration
May 28 - Sep 12
Contact information
- Event contact
- iDaph Events
- Phone
- 8286840812
- Website
- Visit website
Sponsors
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Presenting Sponsors
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Corporate Sponsor
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Race Partners
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