January 13th, 2024 : Rocky Mount, NC
On a clear, crisp winter day over 50 runners made the trek to Rocky Mount to participate in one of the most anticipated running events of the year, the Mill Chill 4-miler. This 4-mile race is a competition between breweries and their run clubs while raising money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. CAR runners represented our best and longest sponsor, Deep River Brewing Co
This highly anticipated event brings together friends and run clubs in a friendly competition of participation, spirit and speed. Originally billed as a 4-mile race to take place on December 10th, 2023, it was postponed due to severe weather. After being moved to January 14th, 2024, the course was modified to a 5K, due to flooding caused by severe weather. In fact, the course was modified one last time on the morning of the race!
Despite the postponed date and modified route, our runners were all smiles as they stepped to the starting line. Some were going for a new PR, others going for an age-group win and others completing their first 5K race. All were there for the fun of it, friends, beer and food trucks at the finish line.
The route was scenic and the crowds were great! The race seemed fast and flowed smoothly along roads and greenway trails with a short stint through the woods. This mid-afternoon race requires sunglasses but the warmth of the sun was welcome!
In short order the race was over for the team and the after-party commenced with live music, food trucks and a plethora of beer options. It was all smiles at the finish line!
Deep River had the most runners registered out of all of the breweries with 70+. We also had the largest participation with 50+ runners finishing the race.
Our women took 2nd place overall! This is an incredible achievement given the competition on hand. We had multiple women place in the top 5 of their age categories.
The official results haven't been posted to the Mill Chill website, but here's a list of our top women runners who helped bring home their 2nd place trophy.
1st Place Finishers
Kim
Sharon
Mandy
Top Finishers to help earn the trophy!
Leah - 4th place in her age group!
Madi - 3rd place in her age group and her first ever 5K race.
We had numerous runners set a new 5K PR on this course and others completing their first race! We have a saying around here. "Running with friends is better" and that directly translates into "Racing with friends is fun!" The Post Race social brought friends together, from our run club and our neighbors to the north.
We look forward to this annual event, scheduled to take place in December 2024. We will push for the largest award again and maybe, just maybe we can unseat Ponysaurus from their current 5 year reign as overall champions.
