10th Celtic Calling - 5K Kilt Run and 2K Walk

Name: 10th Celtic Calling - 5K Kilt Run and 2K Walk
Start: 2026-03-07T09:00:00-05:00
Location: City of Charleston Spring Hill Cemetery

Schedule

Sat, 07 Mar, 2026 at 09:00 am

UTC-05:00

Location

City of Charleston Spring Hill Cemetery | Charleston, WV

10th Celtic Calling Gathering and Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum: 5K Kilt Run and 2K Walk
Charleston’s most scenic run/walk takes place in the historic Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum. It’s a rolling course of discovery with flora and fauna and monuments to historic founders of the city; and beautiful views over the Kanawha Valley. The sound of Bagpipes will welcome you and spur you on around the course. Kilts and Celtic attire are optional but add to the occasion.
What State 5K visitors said:
“Charleston is one for the books, my 36th State overall!. We all agreed that the run was one of our favorites for the beauty of it and the bagpipes playing beginning to end! (Not the hills!!) Most importantly, the PEOPLE!! We met the nicest people at the run and right after at the coffee shop. We went to two breweries and caught up with more people at The Blue Parrot while dancing the night away listening to the Rogues. We had a fantastic trip." - Visitor from Illinois
Can you set a new course record ?
Hector Falcon:16.21set in 2025, and Kathryn Wilson: 20.10, set in 2022.
Fees and Registration:
Entry Fees :
2K Walkers (Not Timed) - $20
5K Runners/Walkers (Timed) - $ 25
After February 15th:
2K Walkers (Not Timed) - $25
5K Runners/Walkers (Timed) - $30
Online Registration: closes March 5th.
On Day/Live Registration: Come early, 1hr before race time (Cash or Check). Not guaranteed to receive a medal:
2K Walkers (Not Timed) - $30
5K Runners/Walkers (Timed) - $35
Part of a Group, Club, Business or Organization?
Sign up individually and register your group name and participants the morning of race. Your group must be 7 or more people and may receive an award.
SIGN UP: https://runsignup.com/Race/WV/Charleston/CelticCallingFriendsOfSpringHillCemeteryKKiltRunKWalk
Day of Race:
Parking: Signage and Stewards will direct you to Parking areas. They are located at East and West gates and may be as much as 1/2 mile away.
8am - Check in, collect Race # and sticker at Administration Building.
8 30am - Day off Registration closes.
8 30am - Bagpipes will entertain from Administration Buildings Porch.
9 am - Race Start Time
5K Kilt Run Course
Starts and Finishes at the Administration Building. The course is an undulating figure of 8 with over 300 ft of elevation gain. It will take you to points East and West in the 180 acre Cemetery.
2K Kilt Walk Course: Starts and Finishes at the Administration Building. This is not a timed Walk.
AWARDS
All participants will receive a medal celebrating the 10th Celtic Calling Gathering and be entered into a raffle for merchandise, gift certificates and fun items donated by local merchants.
Overall 1st - Male(M) & Female (F) – Special Awards TBA
Sections, all age group winners will receive an award. In the past this has been a coffee mug, embossed with Celtic Calling Logo but may change this year:
14 and under 1st - M&F
19 and under 1st - M&F
29 and under 1st - M&F
39 and under 1st - M&F
49 and under 1st - M&F
59 and under 1st - M&F
69 and under 1st - M&F
70 and over. 1st - M&F
1st Dog running with owner completing 5K, presented to owner.
Best Dressed Runner/Walker Kilt/Attire - M&F
Best dressed/cutest dog running with owner.
Awards 2K Walk (Not Timed) :
Best Dressed Kilt/Attire - M&F
Best dressed/cutest dog, walking with owner.
Group Award:
Largest Group (Can include timed and not timed, runners and walkers together) – Special award and a tree planted in your honor.
Proceeds:
After expenses, all proceeds go to Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery Park & Arboretum. This non-profit organization works in cooperation with the City of Charleston to promote, enhance and develop Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Mary Price Ratrie Arboretum; for the use and enjoyment of the public.
More:
https://www.springhillcemeterycharleston.com/
https://www.ratriearboretum.com/
The Kilt Run and Walk is part of the 10th Celtic Calling Gathering. 5 days of events that take place around downtown Charleston that raise up Celtic heritage, arts and culture: www.celticcalling.org
Sponsored by Spring Hill Cemetery Commission
Spring Event Calendar at Spring Hill
January 17th – 9am – Bird Walk – Handlan Chapter of Brooks Bird Club
Sunday February 1st – 1pm - ‘Sunday Saunter’ - ‘St Bridgids Day’ / ‘Tu BiShvat’ Boundary Hike
Sunday March 1st – 1pm - ‘Sunday Saunter’ - ‘Witch Hazel’, Champion Trees and History of the Old Circle
Saturday March 7th, 9am – Celtic Calling 5K Kilt Run and Walk
Tuesday March 10th, 5.30pm and every Tuesday up to Oct. 27th - - Cemetery Walking and Running Group
Thursday March 26th, 6.30pm: Blooming Magnolia, Arboretum and History Walk
Thursday, April 9th, 6-7pm: ‘Ornamental and Native Small Trees for the Garden’ . Talk / PowerPoint Presentation @@@ Kanawha County Main Library, Room 311, 121 Capitol Street.
Tuesday April 21st, 5.30pm: Earth Day Eve, Run and Hike the Trails, or stay on the road, weekly run/walk group special.
Thursday April 24th at 6.30pm: ‘Appalachian Spring’ Old Circle Arboretum & History Walk – Part of the Kanawha Garden Club’s promotion of the City Wide Tree Planting Project of the same name.
April 25th – Possible ‘Avian Adventure Day’ watch this space !
Thursday May 21st, 6.30pm – Arboretum /History Walk
May 22nd-31st – FestivALL in Charleston watch this space !
Saturday Sept. 12th – Monarch Butterfly Celebration with Butterflies by Heather. Time TBA
October – Founders, Flora and Feathers TBA
Sunday October 25th – ‘All of the Colors’ Trail Race/Hike