By David Freeze

For the Salisbury Post

The China Grove Main Street Challenge 5K Run/Walk will take to the nighttime streets in China Grove on Friday, June 12. More than 500 runners will take part in the 5K, Tot Trot and Fun Run that provide the setting for a unique downtown celebration of running for all abilities, ages and spectators.

The 200-yard Tot Trot kicks off the evening at 8:15 p.m. and is followed by the half-mile fun run at 8:30 p.m. The main event 5K gets the starting horn at 9 p.m., as runners head south through China Grove on Main Street to the Kimball Road intersection before turning to retrace their steps back to the China Grove Fire Department and the finish line.

Course records for the event are owned by former Olympian Anthony Famiglietti at 14 minutes and 19 seconds and Caitlyn Bullock at 16:36. Cash prizes are available for the top three finishers and new course records for both male and female.

Billed as Rowan’s largest participatory sporting event, the 5K will have awards to the top three in 14 age groups for both males and females. Each participant gets a unique Dri-fit T-shirt and plenty of refreshments, including watermelon.

Major sponsors for the Main Street Challenge events include the town of China Grove, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Pizza Hut and Krispy Kreme. Once again, Oak Grove Baptist Church’s gospel choir will sing for the passing runners and the fire department will provide a wet soaking for any interested runners as they near the finish.

Registration is available online at www.sportoften.com . A printable brochure is available at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org. Call 704-857-7011 for additional information.