A field of 179 runners and walkers signed up for this event last year.  Randal Grimmer led all finishers in 21:40 while Nikki Foucht was the top woman finisher in 25:55.  Nelson Martinez holds the course record of 18:45 which he set in 2017. Lane Dickinson (22:04) holds the women’s course record set in 2013.

The race will be a VIRTUAL RACE this year!  You can run it at home or with a group of friends.  Just make sure to take a selfie afterwards and post it to The Piper's Promise Facebook page!!!  

You can also post your time on www.runnc.com by clicking on Virtual Results.  You can complete your run anytime between the time you register and September 26,

The event is in honor of Piper Wilhide.  In the words of Haleigh Wilhide, the race director and Piper’s mother:

“On October 17, 2012, my life changed. My husband’s life changed. Our family’s lives changed. Our precious daughter Piper, who just days earlier was told she had a perfect two-week checkup, was diagnosed with Stage III Neuroblastoma at just 4 weeks old. We quickly absorbed that Piper wasn’t the only one with cancer; this disease was going to affect and change all of our lives. The battle had begun!

Our hearts are full of gratitude and sincere appreciation for the endless acts of kindness shown to our family throughout our journey. We cannot thank our family, friends and strangers enough. Specifically, Riley’s Army and the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern NC are two charities that we “promised” to give back to once Piper was healed.

Piper has been declared NED ("No Evidence of Disease") since February 2013, and we are on a mission to give back to those that gave to us! Please celebrate and help us pay it forward at this the 8th Annual Piper’s Promise VIRTUAL 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run! Last year’s event was a GREAT success, and we hope for an even larger turnout this year!”

The entry fees are $25 for the 5K and $20 for the mile.  T-shirts are included with the entry fee -  sizes are guaranteed to all those registered by September 13^th.  After that date it will be “as available.”.