Well, if you’re 26, you can celebrate your birth year together! That’s right. Local Politician, Dan Besse started this race in 2000, the year the infamous Y2K bug (didn’t) wreak havoc. About 50 participants ran 50k (31.07 miles). The race has morphed into a fantastic community event with over 600 participants!
“Pfff”, you say. Your longest distance is one lap around the lake or you’re up for a 5k and no more? No worries, because there are a variety of distances and ways to participate. Choose to run the 5k (out and back from the marina), that’s an intimate Friday night race, held hours before the big day with longer distances. The 12.5K is a little more than one lap, 25k (two laps plus a bit on the greenway, makes a nice 15.5 miles). Be part of a team of four to run a relay (12.5K and you pass the baton). There’s space for your group to spread out and enjoy the camaraderie Frosty 50 tailgate-style. You’ll bond with your teammates and see all other runners and fans while enjoying the lake views, music, “play by play” runner announcements, flushable toilets (in addition to port-a-potties), friendly volunteers from the community, and the spacious Salem Lake Marina, which is an added benefit if the weather isn’t exactly friendly. If you aren’t into the running scene, you can still be part of all this by volunteering!
Not convinced yet? Consider the course itself. You’ll have a view of the lake to your left about 85% of the run and the trail itself is basically a hard-packed, fairly flat dirt road. You’ll pass by the start/finish to fuel up and wave to fans. You may even get to see a local celebrity runner. If he’s heading in the opposite direction, you can legitimately say you passed Craig Engels, 2019 US National Champion in the 1500, in a race!
As if the multiple choices of distance, a great community event at a beautiful location aren’t enough to get you to kick start your New Year Resolutions, know that you are honoring Gwyn Gibbs Corum, who devoted her life to people in need. The relay is named for her. Overall winner, and age group race awards (as well as 25k and 50k finishers) are designed and made by local special needs adults, so the race fees stay right here in Winston-Salem.
Well, this author has exhausted several good reasons to sign up and do the Frosty 50 2026 race. As a last ditch effort to get you out there, as if this isn’t rewarding enough, there’s beer! Radar beer will be there on Saturday. Your race distance matters not (though your age surely does), whether you do the 5k or ten times that, there will be a cold one waiting for you.
Questions: Contact Bill Gibbs, Frosty 50 Race Director and brother of Gwyn Gibbs Corum at: [email protected]
