WHAT’S A COWPEA?

What's a "cowpea," you ask?! According to research by former Farm Bureau President Jack Sanders, Charleston was once a large grower and exporter of cowpeas and was known as the “Cowpea Capital of the United States.” Cowpea is the general name for black-eyed peas, field peas, crowder peas, southern peas, silver- and purple-hull peas and cream peas. The cowpea, known scientifically as avigna unguiculata, got its common name because the peas were first fed to livestock as a strong source of protein. People realized the benefits and flavor and have made these peas a staple on southern plates.

SCHEDULE

5k start: 8am

1 mile start: 8:15 am

Be sure to stick around for the International Cowpea Festival in Charleston City Park starting at 10am! All race participants get a FREE entry to the festival! Learn more about the Cowpea Festival HERE.

REGISTRATION

5k: $30 until 7/31, $35 after 8/1

1 mile fun run/walk: $20 until 7/31, $25 after 8/1(untimed, strollers dogs, and walkers welcome!)

PACKET PICKUP

Packet Pickup will take place at Terra Running Company in downtown Cleveland on Friday September 13 from 4-6pm or race morning at Hiwassee Meadowlands Park (120 Main St, Calhoun, TN 37309) from 7-7:45am, but please plan to pick up packets Friday if at all possible.

PARKING

Free parking is available at Hiwassee Meadowlands Park in Calhoun, TN: 120 Main St, Calhoun, TN 37309.

TIMING AND RESULTS
The race will be professionally chip timed using Chronotrack b-tags. Results will be available online immediately at TerraRunning.com and on Athlinks. 1 mile is untimed.

REFUNDS

Due to the upfront nature of event costs, we have a uniform policy of no refunds or deferrals to a future year. We know that plans change and unexpected things come up, but we feel it is most fair to apply a uniform policy to all, instead of an arbitrary line of who merits a refund and who doesn't. Thank you for understanding.

12th ANNUAL COWPEA FESTIVAL
All race participants will get FREE entry to the 11th Annual International Cowpea Festival held at Charleston City Park starting at 10am! Stick around for live music, local vendors, and the Cowpea Cookoff! Learn all about the Cowpea Festival HERE. The race benefits the Hiwassee River Heritage Center in Charleston, TN.

Click HERE for results from the 2023 Cowpea 5k!

COURSE
Run the ONLY 5k in beautiful, historic Charleston, Tennessee. The 5k course runs from the Hiwassee Meadowlands Park in Calhoun, TN over the beautiful Hiwassee River, down historic Highway 11 through Charleston, TN and back. The 1 mile course turns around 1/2 mile from Hiwassee Meadowlands Park on Highway 11.