Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival

MY  MISSION: TO HELP ROOTS SALON STAY ALIVE IN OLD FORT HOW:  I'm asking friends, family, and clients who love Old Fort as much as I do to pledge your support for Roots Salon. You can do this by sponsoring me as I participate in a 12-hour endurance race, hosted by Tanawha Adventures and Camp Grier in Old Fort on December 7. 100% of the funds you pledge will go directly to helping Roots reopen and other homes and businesses with a goal of $2,000,000! PS: to any friends and family that ask what can I get you for Christmas? This is it! 

ABOUT ROOTS SALON: Janine O’Neil and Jasmine Lytle, the heart and soul of Roots Salon, need our support now more than ever. After the devastating flood destroyed the business they built in Old Fort, they considered closing for good. But we can’t let that happen! Roots Salon has been a beloved part of Old Fort for years, and our town won't be the same without them. Personally, no one else can care for my hair the way they do! Many of us feel the same. If you know Janine and Jasmine, you know they are as passionate about their faith as they are about ensuring customers leave their salon feeling confident and beautiful. Their business is more than just a salon—it’s a ministry. Let's come together to show them how much we need and want them back in business as soon as possible. Every amount- big or small- will help get their doors open.

DON’T WORRY! I know many of you are thinking “She can’t run”. Well, you are right. I cannot run for 12 hours straight. I just have to finish for the money to go to Roots:+)  With me turning my big 50 this year, I can help the community I love while giving me a reason to not sit on the couch and be lazy. If you are interested in joining me in my journey and the fundraising status follow me at: Jeannie's Facebook Page or better yet 400 spots are available and you can join me with your own individual Old Fort goal by signing up here: OLD FORT STRONG ENDURANCE FESTIVAL

ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON THE OLD FORT STRONG! SEE BELOW

The Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival is 6/12/24hr trail run and mountain bike ride on the trails that encompass Camp Grier, right in the backyard of Old Fort, NC.  The weekend will have a festival atmosphere with multiple vendors, live music, and. special guest speakers across the trail running and mountain bike world.  Full schedule will be sent out soon.

The goal of this event is to raise awareness and funding for the Old Fort Strong Fund, which aims to put money directly into the hands of Old Fort residents and businesses as they rebuild their homes and repair their businesses affected by Hurricane Helene.  Over 50 homes in Old Fort were either damaged or completely destroyed.  Our goal is to raise a minimum of 2 million in donations for this fund to help provide relief, rebuild homes and support local businesses that have suffered in Old Fort. 

There are 400 spots (200 runner/200 riders) open for the in-person event at Camp Grier.  There will will be separate loops, roughly 3 miles each, for runners and mountain bikers with a common start/finish area.  If you can't make the event in Old Fort or our physical numbers are filled, there is a Virtual option as well so you can participate anywhere across the country.  

Runners and riders who sign up also agree to become a fundraiser and seek out donations from their networks.  As soon as you register, an individual fundraiser page will be created for you in runsignup that you can share within your network to seek out donations.  Each participant's goal is to raise $1,500 minimum for the fund.  We know this is big goal, but as endurance athletes, community and trails are what really bring us together! Let us show how strong that community really is and help rebuild homes in Old Fort, NC!  Prizes packages from our sponsors will be given to those who go above and beyond the minimum fundraising amount.  There will be a prize package given out for those raising $5,000+ prize and $10,000+.