Save the Date: May 1, 2026
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!
2025 Overall Results for all participants
2025 Overall Winners & Age Category Winners
Congratulations to the 2025 Good Health Good Business Award winner: Western Carolina Medical Society
Register is closed for the 2025 Chamber Challenge. We hope to see you in 2026!
Registration will open in February for the 2026 Chamber Challenge.
Asheville’s Chamber Challenge is made for everyone!
Join us for Chamber Challenge training designed for ALL fitness levels with YMCA Personal Trainer Suzanne Ion.
These free sessions will be held Tuesdays at 5:30 pm starting March 18, 2025 and ending April 22, 2025 at the Asheville Chamber (36 Montford Avenue). The last session will be a preview run/walk of the actual Chamber Challenge 5k course beginning at the Chamber, winding through historic Montford and finishing in the parking lot once again.
These training sessions are open to anyone – whether you’ve registered to participate in the event or not!
We recommend you bring your own water bottle. The doors to the Visitor Center will be open 5:00-5:30 on training days so you can come in to get water, use the restroom, etc.
Thank you to our Training Partner – the YMCA of Western North Carolina!
About the Trainer
Our trainer for the second consecutive year is Suzanne Ion, a sixth generation native of Hawaii who grew up on the island of Maui and in the north Georgia mountains. Whether this is your first 5k or your 500th, you’ll be in good hands with Suzanne. No stranger to health challenges, she lost over 70 lbs. after a debilitating illness with a commitment to interval cross training and a determination to teach again. Her motto is “Someday I will not be able to do this. Today is not that day.”
She was the only girl on an all-boys soccer team, ran track in high school, and was a basketball cheerleader and member of the drill team/dance corps in high school and college.
Suzanne has Three Star Elite Instructor status for spinning and has continued her fitness education with group exercise certifications through AFFA, ACE, TRX, Silver Sneakers, Mat Pilates, and Tabata Boot Camp. An active participant in 5k’s, 10k’s, half and full marathons, she achieved a Top 20 overall women’s finish at the Lake Tahoe marathon. Whether it’s scuba diving, kayaking, sup, hiking, or glacier climbs, Suzanne is always ready for a challenge.
Get outside at Highland!
Chamber Challenge sponsor Highland Brewing’s disc golf course is free and open 7-days a week. Play a round of 9 or 18 holes on our shaded, hilly course. Treat yourself to a post-round, low abv beer like Daycation Gold (4.7%), Daycation IPA (4.9%) or Lower Falls (3.9%).
Pick-up volleyball is open to players of all levels and is open for play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings. Check the schedule here for pick-up hours and information: www.highlandbrewing.com/recreation
Training partner YMCA’s 8-Week 5K Training Tips
Week 1: Build Your Base
Start where you are and trust the process. Whether you’re walking, jogging, or running, consistency is key. Join us for a free training session, and aim to get in two more runs or walks on your own. The more you show up, the stronger and more confident you’ll feel on race day!
Week 2: Warm-Up & Cool Down
Prevent injuries with proper warm-ups and cool-downs. Start each run with dynamic stretches like leg swings and high knees. After your workout, cool down with deep hamstring and calf stretches. Taking just a few extra minutes to prepare and recover will keep you running strong all season.
Week 3: Strength Matters
Building strength helps prevent injuries and improves endurance. The YMCA offers multiple strength classes and yoga to support your training. Add squats, lunges, and core work twice a week to stay strong and stable. A stronger body means a more powerful stride and less risk of injury.
Week 4: Nutrition for Energy
Fuel smart! Carbs provide energy, protein supports recovery, and hydration keeps you performing at your best. Pre-run, try a banana or toast with peanut butter. Afterward, refuel with lean protein and healthy fats. Small nutrition tweaks can make a huge difference in how you feel during training.
Week 5: Mindset & Motivation
Running is mental as much as physical. Set small goals, use positive affirmations, and lean on your community. Plus, don’t forget—we offer free training sessions to keep you motivated and accountable! Surround yourself with people who lift you up and remind you why you started.
Week 6: Pace & Breathing
Find a steady pace where you can hold a conversation—don’t sprint! Control your breathing with an inhale for three steps, exhale for two. Training at the right intensity will help you go the distance. If you push too hard too soon, you’ll burn out—listen to your body and trust the training process.
Week 7: Taper & Recovery
Ease up in the final stretch! Reduce mileage to avoid burnout and focus on recovery. Hydrate well, stretch daily, and take advantage of yoga and mobility classes to feel fresh for race day. Rest is just as important as training—your body needs time to rebuild and get stronger.
Week 8: Race Day Prep
Stick with what works—no new shoes, no new foods! Lay out your gear, hydrate, and warm up properly. Most importantly, enjoy the experience and celebrate how far you’ve come! Crossing that finish line is just the beginning—keep moving, set new goals, and enjoy the journey!
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.
I need help with registration. Who do I call?
For assistance with registration, please contact support@idaph.net
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!
Can you register the day of the event?
There will be no race-day registration.
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 13, 2025. After that date, limited sizes will be available. We cannot guarantee shirts for any registrations after the t-shirt deadline on April 13th.
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 1st from 12 noon until 2 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.
There is no race day packet pickup.
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!
What time does the race start?
There will be a mass start at 4 p.m. If you’re running late, proceed to the start line and let the officials know you’re there to start. Participants can start late up until 4:45 p.m. Race ends at 6 p.m.
What if I registered for the in-person race, but have to switch to virtual?
You can transfer your in-person registration to a virtual registration for free at any point before 4:00 PM on the day of the event.
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)?
Do not crinkle the bib! It contains your timing chip. Your bib with your race number should be pinned to the front of your shirt. 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. In the event of expected bad weather (with lightning, for example), we will have a plan in place for communicating with everyone at the event and/or during the event. Helpful tip: Text #cc5k to 828-827-5332 to get notifications about Chamber Challenge or emergency (severe weather) notices during event. You can opt out at any time.
Is water available on the course?
Yes! There will be two water stations where participants can easily grab a small cup or bottle and keep moving! Water is available after the finish line as well.
Are strollers allowed?
Yes, strollers are allowed. Please be courteous to other race participants along more narrow sections of the race route to allow faster runners to pass you easily.
Can I bring my dog?
No. While we love pets, we ask that everyone (race participants and spectators) leave pets 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 do I need to bring?
Bring your photo I.D. if you plan to drink beer. Highland Beer will be available to all participants over 21. Your race bib has your one free beer coupon. Please be prepared to show I.D. and get a wristband before approaching the beer stations. Want a non-alcoholic after-race treat? Your bib ticket is also good for a free popsicle from Frios Gourmet Popsicles of WNC.
Bring cash or credit card if you want to buy additional beer tickets or t-shirts (if available). Some vendors may also have items for sale.
What awards are given out?
The awards ceremony will take place at the start line at 5:30 PM. Top finishers (1st, 2nd and 3rd) overall and in each age category will be recognized.
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 5th.
Do virtual participants get a shirt?
Yes! You must come to the drive-thru packet pickup between 12 noon and 3 pm on May 2nd. 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 6th.
