The Food City Speedway in Lights 5K presented by Fleet Feet will return for its milestone 10th year on Sunday, Nov. 8, inviting a limited number of participants to be the first to see the region's largest and most tradition-rich holiday lights display as they run along the route that will circle all around the BMS property, including past the historic Bristol Dragway before crossing the Home Trust Bank Finish Line inside the infield of the iconic high-banked half-mile speedway.

Growing in stature as the beloved holiday 5K of the Appalachian Highlands Region, the event officially kicks off Speedway Children’s Charities-Bristol's annual winter festivities and serves as a major fundraiser for the organization.

“There's nothing better than running for a great cause while being the first to see the amazing Christmas displays that make up The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights,” said Claudia Byrd executive director of SCC-Bristol. “We can't thank our sponsors, participants and volunteers enough for what they do to support our chapter, which has raised nearly $17 million throughout its history to support local children in need. It’s time to kick off another amazing holiday season with the Food City Speedway in Lights 5K presented by Fleet Feet.”

This year’s 5K will operate a little differently with several protocols put into place to ensure all participants maintain proper social distancing and follow all required COVID-19 guidelines.

  • The event will be limited to the first 500 participants who register in advance of event day.
  • The start of the race will be staggered as socially-distanced groups of 20 runners will begin 30 seconds apart.
  • The 5K will start earlier this year, at 5:30 p.m., and will get underway following a shortened pre-race announcement (there will not be a pre-race ceremony on the big stage).
  • All participants are required to wear masks while on BMS property except during the time they are running/walking in the 5K. All non-participants attending the event will be required to wear masks at all times.
  • Water bottles will be available to runners, but food will not be provided this year.
  • Face masks provided by BMS partner Alsco will be distributed to each runner as they cross the Home Trust Bank Finish Line.
  • All division winners will receive their awards in the mail following the event.

Participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Registration is available online, with an entry fee of $35 for adults and $20 for kids 12-under until Tuesday, Nov. 3. All participants will receive a special commemorative 2020 Food City Speedway in Lights 5K t-shirt. On-site registration will not be available the day of the event. Participant arrival is scheduled between 3-5 p.m., and instructions for parking and packet pickup, which will include each person’s commemorative event t-shirt, will be sent via email a week before the event.

For those runners who are not able to attend the Food City Speedway in Lights 5k presented by Fleet Feet in person, a virtual option of the event is available for the same entry fees. Those who participate in the virtual option will receive a Food City Speedway in Lights 5K t-shirt and are asked to post a photo from their 5K run on social media using the #sil5k hashtag. BMS will offer a special prize for the best photo. To submit a photo for consideration, please download the free Bristol Mobile App and snap your picture with the Fan Cam (in the explore section).

For more information on SCC's winter events at Bristol Motor Speedway, please visit www.SpeedwayCharities.org/Bristol. The 24th annual Pinnacle Speedway in Lights, the biggest annual fundraiser for SCC-Bristol, runs from Friday, Nov. 13 through Saturday, Jan. 2. The event costs $20 for cars from Sunday through Thursday and $25 per car on Friday and Saturday nights. As always, a sizeable portion of the proceeds from The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights benefits SCC in its longstanding mission to support of numerous children’s organizations in the 18-county area surrounding Bristol Motor Speedway.

About Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities

The Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a 501©(3) nonprofit organization committed to raising funds for distribution to children-based nonprofit organizations, was established in 1997. Since its inception, the chapter has raised nearly $17 million, awarding grants to hundreds of qualified organizations in the 18-county area surrounding Bristol Motor Speedway. The board of trustees for the Bristol Chapter consists of 18 members, a diverse group of individuals from across the region with wide-ranging backgrounds. The trustees, two staff members and more than 300 volunteers are responsible for hosting numerous events at Bristol Motor Speedway and throughout the Bristol (Tennessee/Virginia) community. For more information about the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, visit speedwaycharities.org/bristol.