Run Clubs & Races

It's not all kayaking! Catawba Riverkeeper is proud to provide outdoor recreational experiences on land adjacent to our waterways. Check out our unique Run Clubs and Races below.

Run Clubs

Confluence Run Club: Spring

Stretch your legs as we run next to the South Fork Catawba River in Cramerton, NC. Enjoy the largest tributary that flows into the Catawba River and hang out afterwards with great friends, great beer, and support Catawba Riverkeeper's mission to preserve, protect and restore the waters of the Catawba-Wateree River basin for all.

Every Thursday: March 14 – May 30

Enjoy the historic mill town of Cramerton, NC while running or walking the trails, greenways, and tree lined streets of this turn of the century modern mill village. We have 1, 3, and 5 mile routes that run beside, over, and around the South Fork Catawba River. Hang out afterwards with friends, old and new, to learn about the beers of our basin, check out basin inspired art work from local artists and maybe even catch a pop up concert or trivia!

Garden Run Club: Summer

We’re switching it up in the hotter months of the year and getting in the shade and on the trails! Run along the banks of Lake Wylie at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

Every Thursday: June 6 – August 29

When the weather starts to get hotter, we hit the trails! Come hang with us and our buddies at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden! We will start and stop at their new Trailhead Cabin and have 1, 3, and 5 mile shaded trail routes that will run you right along the banks of Lake Wylie on the largest single undeveloped piece of land on the entire lake. Afterwards hang out at the Trailhead Cabin or checkout the Garden with free entry on Thursday nights!

River Room Run Club: Fall

We’re taking it back to HQ in the fall to get you ready for the Christmastown 5K. Run with us that the River Room in Christmastown on the Christmastown 5K route in preparation for the big race! Afterwards, enjoy our HQ taproom and enjoy a beer sourced right from the waters of the Catawba River!

Every Thursday: September 5 – November 14

As the leaves begin to turn and McAdenville starts its transformation into the best public Christmas Lights display in the country, we’re closing out the Run Club year at home! We will have 1, 3, and 5 mile routes that combine beautiful riverside greenways, shaded community roads, and even single track trails (if you’re brave enough) to get you ready for the big race! Enjoy the Southfork River, our HQ, and even our Boathouse depending on which route you take. This is the Run Club that shows you where all the Riverkeeper Magic happens!

Races by the River

We're teaming up with our friends at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (DSBG) in 2024 to help host a series of races near the river!

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is working to expand their outdoor programs and increase accessibility to their entire property and we're excited to be a part! DSBG is the largest single undeveloped piece of land on Lake Wylie with over 2.5 miles of shoreline and our friends at the Garden are working to be more environmentally focused. This race series will serve as an outlet to engage our North Carolina and South Carolina communities and get them excited about our work to protect, preserve, and restore the waters of the Catawba-Wateree River Basin. 

These races are super approachable and achievable by any level of runner, but they also provide a true trail running experience for the competitive runner. Each race is themed around one of the Garden's four annual exhibits and each race comes with free entry to the Garden on race day.