Never say never. After retiring the Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler in 2020 because of the pandemic and its profound impact on our race operations, we’ve decided to revive this awesome women’s-only event!

With a beautiful new venue in Columbia, South Carolina, at Gills Creek Memorial Park in Forest Acres and a scenic neighborhood course, we’re bringing you a re-imagined Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler. We will once again offer a 5-mile run/walk and a 3.5-mile fitness walk. This time, however, both five-mile runners and walkers will be chip-timed, while 3-mile walkers will continue to enjoy a fun and relaxed untimed experience. So whether you’re an elite athlete or a woman looking for a special feel-good event to experience with your girlfriends, you’ll find something to love on Saturday, May 17.

While we haven’t finalized all the details, you can count on this event to continue celebrating women’s health and the power of a healthy lifestyle. Our all-female race committee is preparing special touches to set this event apart from all others so that every woman who participates will feel super special and appreciated.

Register early for the Heart & Sole Run. We offer a special rate for groups of seven or more and the lowest rate for individuals through April 18!

We hope you’ll join Dawndy Mercer Plank and the rest of our all-women committee at our new location on May 17 for this one-of-a-kind event that’s coming back with a bang!

Until then, stay strong and healthy!

Schedule:

7:00 a.m. - Opening Ceremony
7:30 a.m. - Five-mile Run and Walk (Chip-timed)
7:35 a.m - Three-Mile Fitness Walk (Untimed)
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Expo and Post-event Celebration
8:45 a.m. (approximately) - Awards Ceremony
10:00 a.m. - Course Closes

Course Info:

The scenic five-mile course winds through the beautiful tree-lined suburbs of Forest Acres in Columbia, SC. The course features a few rolling hills and a speedy downhill finish. Both runners and walkers in the five-mile event are chip-timed.

The three-mile fitness walk is untimed and features much of the same beautiful, tree-lined course as the five-miler.

All finishers receive a commemorative medal when they cross the finish line.

Click here for Course Map

Awards:

Prize Purse for Winners

Cash awards will be presented to runners in the following categories:

- Top five overall finishers: $500, $400, $300, $200, $150

- Top three masters finishers: $150, $125, $100

- Top three grand masters finishers: $100, $75, $50

- Top three senior grand masters finishers: $75, $50, $25

Awards will also be given to the top three overall finishers* in each age category: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 54-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80+.

In addition, a special award is given each year to the oldest runner in honor of E.K. Tolley-Beeson, a beloved runner who never missed a Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler until she lost a brave fight to breast cancer in 2012.

In accordance with USATF rules, all awards are based on gun time, not chip time.

*One award per participant.

Cost:

Women's 5-Mile Run/Walk - $35
Women's 3.5-Mile Fitness Walk - $35

Click here to Register