Home / News & Events / Events / Chamber Challenge

Chamber Challenge

Overview

Asheville’s Annual 5k Celebrating Workplace Wellness

Virtual & In-person Friday, May 14, 2021

The Chamber Challenge is designed to promote community wellness through friendly competition between businesses in the Asheville area. Encourage your co-workers, family and friends to participate. Whether you walk every step or sprint to the finish, we know you’re up to the challenge! Join in virtually or sign up for in-person event on May 14th. Free trainings on Mondays through May 10th (details below.)

Thanks to our sponsors for their support of the Chamber Challenge!

Training

Asheville’s Chamber Challenge should be fun—it’s made for everyone!

Our Presenting Sponsor, Pardee UNC Healthcare, and our Training Sponsor, YMCA of WNC, share tips and training to help you with nutrition, exercise, hydration, preparing for a 5k, and much more.

Join us for Chamber Challenge training designed for ALL fitness levels. These free training sessions with YMCA Personal Trainer Ali Dolan are open to the public.

Mondays at 5:30 pm March 29-May 10 • Meet at the Asheville Chamber (36 Montford Avenue)

About Ali Dolan:

NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Ali is dedicated to making daily exercise less intimidating by helping her clients gain an understanding of their bodies as they begin to find their strength. Ali is enthusiastic about her clients’ individual journeys to a balanced life and displays her passion for your personal growth through fun, engaging, and encouraging sessions. She’s hiked 700 miles of the Appalachian Trail and wants to help you achieve your own goals – whatever they might be! Ali’s goal is to make sure you are having so much fun that you won’t even realize you’re working out.

Thank you to our Training Partner – YMCA of Western North Carolina!

5k Race Course

Want to run or walk the Chamber Challenge 5k course? The course begins and ends at the Asheville Chamber and winds through the historic Montford neighborhood.

Start on lower level of Chamber parking lot and turn right onto Hill Street
Right on Courtland Avenue
Left on Pearson Drive
Left on Rosewood Avenue
Right onto Hawthorne Lane
Right back onto Rosewood Avenue
Right on Tacoma Street
Left back to Pearson Drive
Right on Santee Street
Right on Montford Avenue
Right into Chamber parking lot before the Chamber building
Finish line is in the bottom of the Chamber parking lot

Race Results

2021 Overall Results

	2021 CC5k – VIRTUAL RESULTS

Gender Place	Name	Time
1	Allison Black	0:24:51
2	Tara Escobar	0:25:18
3	Rita White	0:25:41
4	Chante Freeman	0:26:17
5	Jennifer Wallen	0:27:54
6	Madeline Culbertson	0:30:00
7	Elise Lewis	0:32:05
8	Sara Hartsock	0:32:28
9	Kassie Shaw	0:32:39
10	Olivia Schoeff	0:33:33

1	Kevin Lisska	0:20:12
2	Arthur Drexler	0:20:48
3	Ben Williams	0:21:29
4	Jared Merrill	0:23:12
5	Austin Tiller	0:25:45
6	Ciro Piccirillo	0:29:56
7	Scott Fahy	0:30:39
8	Clinton Pearson	0:31:27
9	Patrick Blackburn	0:32:25
10	Ryan Kicinski	0:35:00

2020 Virtual Race Results

Chamber Challenge 2020 Times

Name	Age Group	Gender	Company	Course	Time
Carli Adams	40-49	Female	Explore Asheville CVB	My neighborhood	0:33:35
Megan Allustiarti	30-39	Female	HomeTrust Bank	My neighborhood	0:33:07
MARCI ANDERSON	20-29	Female	Biltmore Farms	Other	1:01:36
Rhonda Ball	50-59	Female	HomeTrust Bank	Other	1:10:33
Kim Barnhart	40-49	Female	Eaton Corporation	Other	0:40:38
Olivia Barr	20-29	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:59:10
Megan Becker		Female	HomeTrust Bank	My neighborhood
Gilberto Bernal	30-39	Male	HomeTrust Bank	My neighborhood	0:39:32
Allison Black	30-39	Female	Biltmore Farms	My neighborhood	0:25:04
Lindsey Bnadad	30-39	Female	iHeartMedia	My neighborhood	0:42:12
Donna Boyette	40-49	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		1:08:00
Daniel Bradley	20-29	Male	Explore Asheville CVB	On a certified 5k course	0:26:47
Jayna Butler	20-29	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA	My neighborhood	1:16:03
Adam Byrd	30-39	Male	Eaton Corporation	Other	0:29:54
Milton Canupp	20-29	Male	Eaton Corporation	My neighborhood	0:43:31
Jason Capps	20-29	Male	HomeTrust Bank	My neighborhood	0:27:28
Karen Casey	50-59	Female	Mercy Urgent Care	My neighborhood	0:39:32
Barb Chambers	40-49	Female	Mercy Urgent Care	My neighborhood	1:22:34
Jessica Coffield	30-39	Female	OTHER	My neighborhood	0:34:16
Kristin Cox	40-49	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:34:27
Alisha Cutter	30-39	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA	My neighborhood	0:35:16
Meghan Dale	40-49	Female	Biltmore Farms	Other	0:34:40
Chelsea Darley	20-29	Female	Pardee UNC Health Care	My neighborhood	0:41:40
Erin Day	20-29	Female	Pardee UNC Health Care	My neighborhood	0:23:35
Hannah Dosa	20-29	Female	Explore Asheville CVB	On a certified 5k course	0:32:06
Nadia Elkaissi	30-39	Female	OTHER	Other	0:42:13
Stephanie Emerson	40-49	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:39:08
Ali Engard	40-49	Female	HomeTrust Bank	Treadmill	0:32:17
Tara Escobar	30-39	Female	Biltmore Farms	Treadmill	0:28:49
Scott Fahy	40-49	Male	HomeTrust Bank	My neighborhood	0:29:24
Gail Fitzgerald		Female	Eaton Corporation	My neighborhood	0:45:00
Rhyne Franklin	30-39	Male	Biltmore Farms	Other	0:32:01
Charlie Gardella	40-49	Male	Eaton Corporation	On a track	0:26:40
Phillip German	30-39	Male	Aeroflow Healthcare	My neighborhood	0:29:32
Emily Goff	30-39	Female	Biltmore Farms	My neighborhood	0:29:14
Stephanie Gordon	20-29	Female	Mercy Urgent Care	Treadmill	0:41:37
Karen Gray	50-59	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:56:44
Diana Gwaltney	60+	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:56:00
Bonnie Hamrick	60+	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA	On a track	0:40:30
Ben Hamrick	60+	Male	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA	On a track	0:26:59
Lori Hart	40-49	Female	Pardee Hospital	My neighborhood	0:33:27
David Hart	30-39	Male	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:43:00
Jennifer Haynes	50-59	Female	Eaton Corporation	On a track	0:51:33
Megan Hoeh	40-49	Female	Aeroflow Healthcare	On a track	1:03
Bettina Holmes	30-39	Female	First Bank	Other	0:51:45
Dan Hrncir	50-59	Male	Eaton Corporation	Other	0:27:17
Scott Hughes	60+	Male	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		1:08:27
Linda Hughes	60+	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		1:08:27
Charlie Hume	50-59	Male	Eaton Corporation	On a certified 5k course	0:24:54
Anya Inochkina	30-39	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:28:00
Ana Jimenez	30-39	Female	Mercy Urgent Care	Treadmill	0:41:37
Jill Jones	50-59	Female	No Evil Foods, Inc.	My neighborhood	0:30:51
Jennifer Kass-Green	30-39	Female	Explore Asheville CVB	My neighborhood	1:16:28
Adam Kaul	40-49	Male	Eaton Corporation	On a track	0:48:12
Josh Kersey	40-49	Male	Biltmore Farms	My neighborhood	0:38:29
Karen Kiehna	60+	Female	McGill Associates	Other	1:04:28
Mary Frances Kiffmeyer	40-49	Female	McGill Associates	Other	0:33:03
Anna Kirk	30-39	Female	HomeTrust Bank	Other	1:10:20
Scott Laws	40-49	Male	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:29:33
Justin Lee	30-39	Male	No Evil Foods, Inc.	Other	0:35:36
Marshall Livingstain	20-29	Male	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:35:44
Bruce Luecke	50-59	Male	Eaton Corporation	Other	0:29:18
Amber Lundquist	20-29	Female	Aeroflow Healthcare	My neighborhood	0:35:12
Garrett Martin	50-59	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA	My neighborhood	0:43:00
Leah Mayberry	40-49	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:37:28
Kristi Mayrand	40-49	Female	Eaton Corporation	On a track	1:10:39
Emily McCollin	40-49	Female	Biltmore Farms	Other	1:01:36
Stacy McMichael	40-49	Female	Eaton Corporation	On a track	0:39:43
Sandra Medling	50-59	Female	Eaton Corporation	Other	1:02:00
Luis Mejia	30-39	Non-Binary	Aeroflow Healthcare	My neighborhood	1:00:00
Nicole Miller	30-39	Female	NicClick Social	Other	0:34:00
Courtney Miller	20-29	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:59:10
Stan Moore	50-59	Male	Eaton Corporation	Other	0:33:33
Amanda Nix	30-39	Female	Eaton Corporation	Other	0:38:01
Kyle Norton	30-39	Male	HomeTrust Bank	On a certified 5k course	1:05:00
Sharon Owen	60+	Female	Mercy Urgent Care	Treadmill	0:46:03
Mia Paahlman	40-49	Female	HomeTrust Bank	On a certified 5k course	0:51:19
Jennifer Pacheco		Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		1:08:00
Kathi Petersen	60+	Female	Explore Asheville CVB	On a certified 5k course	0:34:10
Valerie Phillips	30-39	Female	HomeTrust Bank	Other	0:39:56
Ciro Piccirillo	30-39	Male	HomeTrust Bank	My neighborhood	0:31:58
Maria Pilos	50-59	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA	On a certified 5k course	0:56:00
Annissa Piper	40-49	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:49:00
Irena Pivovarevich	20-29	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:47:45
Christy Plemmons	40-49	Female	Biltmore Farms	My neighborhood	0:49:13
Kyle Ponder	20-29	Male	HomeTrust Bank	Other	1:10:33
Heather Poole	20-29	Female	HomeTrust Bank	Other	0:36:02
Lisa Proffitt	50-59	Female	Eaton Corporation	Other	1:02:55
Chris Rhodes	40-49	Male	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		1:07:52
Whitney Riddle	20-29	Female	HomeTrust Bank	My neighborhood	0:53:31
Kathy Rodes	60+	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:56:00
Vaughn Rowley	30-39	Male	Eaton Corporation	My neighborhood	0:26:55
Ritchie Rozzelle	30-39	Male	Explore Asheville CVB	My neighborhood	0:24:26
Jonna Sampson	50-59	Female	Explore Asheville CVB	On a certified 5k course	0:37:09
Nathan Sawyer	40-49	Male	McGill Associates	On a certified 5k course	0:27:05
Mary Schumacher	20-29	Female	First Bank	Other	0:51:45
Natalie Shaft		Female	Biltmore Farms	My neighborhood	1:20:00
PAGE SIGMON	40-49	Male	Eaton Corporation	Other	0:28:17
Melinda Sims	40-49	Female	Eaton Corporation	Other
Tyler Sims	20-29	Female	HomeTrust Bank	Other	1:10:33
Rachel Sossoman	30-39	Female	Mercy Urgent Care	Treadmill	1:03:45
Timothy Soto	30-39	Male	Highland Brewing Co.	Treadmill	0:29:38
Marshall Staton	30-39	Male	Aeroflow Healthcare	My neighborhood	0:29:18
Carol STEEN	30-39	Female	Biltmore Farms	My neighborhood	0:30:36
Jamie Surrett	40-49	Female	Eaton Corporation	On a track	1:10:39
Austin Tiller	30-39	Male	HomeTrust Bank	Other	0:31:25
Corey Trantham	30-39	Male	Eaton Corporation	Treadmill	0:26:20
Brian Traynham	50-59	Male	Eaton Corporation	Other	0:27:18
Stan Turner	60+	Male	Biltmore Farms	On a certified 5k course	1:00:19
Virginia Turner	50-59	Female	OTHER	Other	0:30:33
Alan Vaughn	40-49	Male	Eaton Corporation	My neighborhood	0:50:00
Tracy Walker	30-39	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:43:00
Jeff Washburn	40-49	Male	Biltmore Farms	Other	0:30:48
Ashley Watkins	40-49	Female	Biltmore Farms	My neighborhood	0:38:04
Holly Webb	30-39	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA		0:59:10
Jonathan Wells	30-39	Male	Eaton Corporation	Other	0:26:58
Justin Whittemore	30-39	Male	Eaton Corporation	My neighborhood	0:28:29
Sherry Yeager	40-49	Female	Eaton Corporation	Other	1:02:51
Hannah Zeiger	20-29	Female	Johnson Price Sprinkle PA	My neighborhood	0:38:14

Registration

Registration fee:
$30 per individual (Early Bird registration through April 18th)
$40 per individual after April 18th

Health & Fitness tips from Pardee @Work

Video: Happier, Healthier You – Vending Machine Nutrition

Article: Timing Your Pre and Post-Workout Nutrition

Article: Beginner’s Guide to Running Your Personal Best

Video: Happier, Healthier You – Hydration

Article: Hydrate Right

Video: Sun Safety with Dr. Judkins

Video: Heart Health with Dr. Campbell

Video: Foot Injury Prevention with Dr. Massey

Nutrition Tips

Clinical dietitians from presenting sponsor Pardee UNC Health Care offer these nutrition tips to jeep you fueled and healthy…

Ideally, fuel up 2 hours before exercise by hydrating with water and eating healthy carbs (whole-grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables). Avoid saturated fats and even a lot of protein because they’re harder to digest.
If you are short on time and need energy, eat simple carbs like a piece of fruit because they digest faster and will provide your body with energy sooner.
After a workout, make sure to eat lean protein rich foods like legumes, chicken, and fish, in order to repair muscles used during exercise. Consumption of carbs post workout can help stimulate protein production.
Glucose loading isn’t recommended for athletes who train daily for endurance sports. Complex carbs like whole-grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables, promote glycogen (multiple glucose molecules) storage.
Drink water to be adequately hydrated: drink 2 cups of water 1-2 hours before the event and 1-2 cups of fluids 15 minutes before the event. In addition, eating a lot of protein before endurance exercise can cause dehydration, so try to avoid.
Electrolytes should be replaced after endurance exercise. Sports drinks are fine but remember they have added sugar and may cause an upset stomach if you drink too much. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of potassium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration/General Questions:

I need help with registration. Who do I call?

What if I pre-registered for my company?

If you pre-registered through our Total Resource Campaign, we will provide you with a promo code to use when registering. We encourage you to have your participants register themselves – saves time and is much simpler for you!

Is there a Chamber Challenge shirt this year?

Complimentary race shirts are included with online registration (whether you sign up for in-person or virtual) through date April 30. After that date, limited sizes will be available with your entry until supplies run out. We cannot guarantee shirts for any registrations after the t-shirt deadline on April 30th.

What if my shirt doesn’t fit?

If the shirt size you ordered doesn’t fit, the shirt may be exchanged AFTER the race by contacting Judi Willard, event coordinator, at jwillard@ashevillechamber.org. We cannot guarantee sizes for exchanges.

When do I pick up my race packet?

Packet pick-up for everyone (in-person and virtual registrations) is Drive-Thru, Thursday, May 13^th, from 12 noon until 3:00 pm, in the Chamber parking lot. Please enter the lot from Montford Avenue and exit via Hill Street. Your packet will contain your race bib, your t-shirt, and promotional pieces or coupons from our vendors and sponsors.

Can I pick up all the packets for my company?

Yes, please do! You must notify the participants in your company that you’re picking up all the packets. Please contact Judi Willard at jwillard@ashevillechamber.org to provide the name and company name for who’s picking up. We will have the drive-thru pick-up streamlined for you!

When are awards given out?

Join us on Facebook for a live Virtual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 18^th, at 12 noon. We’ll present the Good Health Good Business Award, announce medal winners and share significant recognitions to businesses participating in this year’s event.

If I win a medal, when do I pick it up?

Medals can be picked up at the Chamber 2:00-5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 18^th. We’ll have a quick, drive-thru set up (follow signs after you enter from Montford Ave.) to make it quick and easy for you!

Questions about In-person Race:

Can you register the day of the event?

Due to COVID regulations and safety precautions in place, there will be no race-day registration.

Will everyone in a specific start-time wave start together?

When you arrive at the event, proceed to the start line. We will encourage everyone to go ahead and start immediately. There will be no gatherings of people at the start line. Your race time begins when you cross the start line.

I signed up for a specific time for my wave, what if I can’t get there by that time?

Don’t sweat it! – You can start when you arrive.

What if I registered for the in-person race, but have to switch to virtual?

If you registered to participate in person on May 14^th, but find you cannot come that day, you may edit your registration online and transfer to virtual participation at no charge.

What COVID-19 guidelines are in place?

The Asheville Chamber and timing company iDaphEvents will implement a number of health protocols including staggered start times. Participants are asked to always wear a mask if within 6 ft. of others and to avoid contact with other participants. Read more about iDaphEvents’ COVID=19 Guidance for Events

Where should I park on race day?

We strongly encourage carpooling with others if you can. Please use the city parking garages available downtown and walk to the Chamber. The Chamber lot will be closed, and nearby schools will still be in session; these lots are not available for parking. If you have someone dropping you off or picking you up after the race, please plan to connect with them down Montford, away from the course.

What do I do with my race number (bib)?

Your bib with your race number should be pinned to the front of your shirt. It contains the timing chip. The label at the bottom of the bib also includes your emergency contact person’s name and phone number.

What happens if it rains?

We get wet! The race takes place rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather conditions, the race will be delayed until the storm blows over, or called off.

Is water available on the course?

Yes! There will be two water stations where participants can easily grab a small bottle and keep moving! This year, we’re setting up to provide contactless service at these stations!

What about the after-race free beer?

Thanks to Highland Brewing, we’re still offering you a free beer! Your race packet contains a coupon for a free pour at the Highland Taproom – it’s good until June 30^th!

Are strollers allowed?

No. This year’s event is a little different from years past – strollers will not be allowed.

Can I bring my dog?

No. While we love pets, we ask that you leave them at home.

Is there somewhere I can put my keys and water bottle while I run the course?

The Chamber cannot be responsible for any personal belongings while you’re participating in the race.

What awards are given out?

Individual awards will be given to the following: Overall Winner – Male, Overall Winner – Female, Runner-Up – Male, Runner-Up – Female, Male & Female in Age Groups (1^st place only): Under 10; 10-20; 20-30; 30-40; 40-50; 50-60; 60-70; 70+ & Overall Winner – Male (virtual), Overall Winner – Female (virtual)

Questions about Virtual Race:

How is the virtual race different from the in-person event?

If you sign up to participate virtually, you can run/walk a 5k course of your choice, at any time, and as many times as you want! You’ll be given a link to report your time, and if you run again with a better finish time, you can edit your time online – as many times as you’d like until the deadline of 12 midnight on Sunday, May 16^th.

Do virtual participants get a shirt?

Yes! You must come to the drive-thru packet pickup between 12 noon and 3 pm on May 13^th. If you cannot come during that time, you may pick up your shirt and goody bag from the Asheville Shop (Visitor Center gift shop) between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday-Friday beginning May 17^th.

Quick Links

Judi Willard

Administrative Lead, Member Services

(828) 210-2729

jwillard@ashevillechamber.org