- The Winter Flight Road Race was reborn on January 29, 1984. It consisted of 5 and 10-mile races, along with a 1-mile fun run. It was the largest and most successful running event ever held in the Salisbury-Rowan community. It started and ended at the Historic Wall Mural at Wachovia Bank on South Main Street. There were 758 participants in the three races including a bus load of distance runners from N.C. State University. Entry fees were $7 for the two longer races and $5 for the fun run. Long sleeve T-shirts went to all runners. The event was preceded by a spaghetti dinner and running clinic the night before with Dr. Angus McBride, Charlotte orthopedic surgeon, as guest speaker. Larry Pinkston was race director. Proceeds from the event went to the North Carolina Association for the Blind. A tour of historic Salisbury was part of the weekend events.

- Curt Crowhurst measures the distance for Winter Flight’s race
- Chuck Cooper of GSTC was race director for the Ken Mattox Memorial Mayfest Run held on May 5, 1984. The race was a memorial to GSTC club member Ken Mattox. There were 307 entrants.
- Dr. George Sheehan, physician, athlete, author and nationally known speaker on exercise and fitness, was guest speaker and race participant at both the 2nd and 3rd annual Winter Flights.
1984 – Winter Flight sets record in Rowan
Upcoming Calendar Events
Events in February 2026
- - Winter Flight Pre-Race Dinner and Salisbury Rowan Runners Annual Meeting
Winter Flight Pre-Race Dinner and Salisbury Rowan Runners Annual Meeting
Winter Flight Pre-Race Dinner and Salisbury Rowan Runners Annual Meeting
All day
February 14, 20265pm at Salisbury City Park Recreation Center (316 Lake Drive Salisbury, NC 28145). Dinner, entertainment, packet pickup and late
race registration for Winter Flight races. Non race participants welcomed.Online Registration - Winter Flight Pre-Race Pasta Dinner
- - Forum Fitness 43nd Annual Winter Flight 8K & 5K and 2026 RRCA NC 8K Championship
Forum Fitness 43nd Annual Winter Flight 8K & 5K and 2026 RRCA NC 8K Championship
Forum Fitness 43nd Annual Winter Flight 8K & 5K and 2026 RRCA NC 8K Championship
All day
February 22, 2026Forum Fitness 43nd Annual Winter Flight 8K & 5K and 2026 RRCA NC 8K Championship - the oldest 8k in the state!
Printable Registration - Winter Flight 8k/5k
Online Registration - Winter Flight 8k/5k
- - Will Run for Food 5K
Will Run for Food 5K
Will Run for Food 5K
All day
February 28, 2026Printable Brochure - Will Run for Food 5K
Online Registration - Will Run for Food 5K
