Run With The Bears 5K 2026 — Plymouth, NC

"RUN WITH THE BEARS" 5K RUNNERS. THIS IS THE 12TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEAR FESTIVAL AND OUR 5K RACE! IT WILL BE A CELEBRATION OF THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR NATION'S INDEPENDENCE !!! See below for directions The "Run With The Bears 5K" will be a tour of the historical, river, and downtown districts of the Washington County seat of Plymouth, NC. Runners can expect a relatively flat, road race with a short section along a nature trail with some uneven terrain and gravel. This race is a fund-raiser for the Washington County Historical Society and we will start the race with a full sized replica of a Civil War cannon!!! BOOM!! There will be 1 water station near the 2 mile mark at the First Baptist Church. The race will begin at 7:30 AM on Washington Street near the Bear Towne Market. Runners will enjoy many sites along the way that they will certainly want to re-visit after the race. Grace Episcopal Church c. 1861 and numerous restaurants and shops in the downtown area will be along the first part of the journey as runners start south on Washington Street. A right turn will take you onto 3rd Street at First Baptist Church. You continue on 3rd Street to the next right onto Wilson Street. You will then take a left onto Main Street and then a quick right onto Water Street. The runners will continue on Water Street until a gentile rise in elevation takes you to a left on Jefferson Street. Here you will run along the Roanoke River, hitting MILE #1 at the Plymouth Town Boat Ramp. You will continue onto the boardwalk and along the river front and run by the CSS Albemarle, Civil War Ironclad replica. The runners will then hit the nature trail. The nature trail will allow runners the opportunity to see anything from wood ducks in the pond areas to Canada Geese wading in the shallows. You will follow the nature trail onto Main Street where runners will take a sharp right and run through Fort Compher where a battle took place during the Civil War. (If you look closely, you may see ghosts of Civil War soldiers guiding you through the fort and back onto Main Street.) If the ghosts allow you to pass through, MILE #2 is seen upon exiting the fort. The rest of the race will take you past many historic homes such as the iconic Latham House, still scarred by Civil War musket fire and the Latham Ward Hampton house, the first house built in Plymouth after the war; this house was formally occupied by the race director and his dog "Thorin" a Great Dane . Other historic sites along the way include the Loane-Owen House c.1895, the Blount-Hampton-Bailey House c.1895, the New Chapel Baptist Church and the Methodist Church and burying ground c.1832. The Windley-Ausbon House c.1840; another bullet ridden home from the 1862 battle can also be seen along the journey. Your journey continues out of the fort and onto Main Street. You will turn left on Madison, run 2 blocks and turn right on 4th Street. Your next turn is a right onto Washington Street which begins your sprint to the finish. Runners are invited to stay around after the race and enjoy the local restaurants, shops and festival activities. Water and bananas will be provided at the finish. Registration & Fees: Register online by 5/31/2026 at 2:00 PM ($35); includes a race t-shirt. Race day registration available for $38 from 6:30- 7:20 AM; shirts not guaranteed. Race packets can be picked up the morning of the race from 6:30- 7:25 AM.