The two-state Walk the Line 5K returns to McCaysville this Saturday, July 18, stepping off at 6:30 p.m. from the McCaysville Visitor Center — and this year it comes wrapped in a Christmas-in-July twist, with holiday music and festive décor lining a flat, all-paved course that crosses the Georgia–Tennessee state line twice. For local families, it's an affordable, dog- and stroller-friendly summer evening out right in the heart of the community — but online registration closes Wednesday, July 15, so anyone planning to sign up at the lower rate needs to move now.
The 3.1-mile route winds alongside the Toccoa River and through the twin downtowns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, according to the event's official listing. Organizers describe it as scenic and beginner-friendly, with just one hill along the way — a course built for runners, walkers, strollers and leashed four-legged friends alike.
What to know before Saturday
The race is the summer edition of McCaysville's Riverwalk Run Series, which the organizers bill as America's only two-state 5K series. The name nods to Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line," and this year's holiday theme leans all the way in — expect participants "jingling" their way between the two downtowns as the riverfront fills with festive cheer.
Here's how race day is set to run:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 3:30–6:15 p.m. | Shirt & bib pickup at the Visitor Center |
| 6:30 p.m. | Race start |
| 7:30 p.m. | Course cutoff |
| 7:45 p.m. | Awards at McCaysville City Park |
Awards go to the overall male and female finishers plus age groups from 0–9 all the way up to 80-plus, and organizers say every finisher takes home a medal. Free parking is available across from McCaysville City Park.
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The start and finish lines are in different spots, so timing runs "gun to chip." Water is provided at the finish — but organizers recommend bringing your own for the course. The event is rain or shine.
Registration and cost
Signing up before the deadline saves a few dollars. Entry is $45 through July 15 (plus a processing fee), rising to $50 on race weekend, July 16–18. Same-day registration is available at the Visitor Center unless the race sells out first, according to the event's frequently asked questions.
All three Riverwalk Run Series races are official qualifiers for the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race — a detail worth noting for runners chasing an Atlanta start corral next July 4.
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Part of a three-season series
Walk the Line is the middle leg of a year-round trio in McCaysville. The spring Trout Trot 5K and the fall Bigfoot Boogie 5K round out the series, and participants who complete all three earn a special challenge item, organizers said. Many summer runners, they note, come back later in the year to experience the region's real holiday season.
For anyone making a full day of it, the surrounding riverwalk shops, boutiques in both downtowns, and the area's rafting, hiking and fly-fishing put McCaysville and Copperhill within easy reach of a summer weekend outing.
Registration and full course details are available on the event's official page at walktheline5k.com.
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For more on this and other happenings around the mountains, visit Blue Ridge Georgia Community Website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Have a favorite spot along the course or a Peachtree qualifying story to share? Join the conversation in our Community Forum, and browse more local events and community stories while you're planning your weekend.
Header photo: Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
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