Join us in May 2025
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!
Text #cc5k to 828-827-5332 to get notifications about the Chamber Challenge.
Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2024Chamber Challenge! From a first finisher at 17 minutes 39 seconds to the last at 1 hour 33 minutes, we loved seeing each of you on the course and crossing the finish line!
We can’t wait to see you all next year!
| Male Division | Time | Overall Pace | |
| 1 | Mike Zeberkiewicz | 17:39 | 5:42/M |
| 2 | Teddy Park | 18:18 | 5:55/M |
| 3 | Jason Cerilli | 18:57 | 6:07/M |
| Female Division | Time | Overall Pace | |
| 1 | Eliza Parker | 19:07 | 6:10/M |
| 2 | Katie Snyder | 21:45 | 7:01/M |
| 3 | Isabela Vieira | 22:17 | 7:11/M |
Registration will open in early 2025.
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 19th and ending April 23rd 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.
YMCA Training Tips for the Chamber Challenge 5K
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?
Register here. 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 14, 2024. After that date, limited sizes will be available for $10. We cannot guarantee shirts for any registrations after the t-shirt deadline on April 14th.
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 2nd, from 12 noon until 3 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.
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!
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 you leave them at home. This applies to race participants and spectators.
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.
Bring cash or credit card if you want to buy additional beer tickets or t-shirts (if available).
What awards are given out?
The awards ceremony will take place at the start line at 5:45 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.
