Historic Cemetery Drop Dead 5K

Get ready for fall’s most ‘spirited’ event!
Drop Dead 5K | November 4, 2023 @ 9 AM

presented by

Photo credit: Austin Caine Photography

Join us Saturday, November 4, 2023 rain or shine at 9:00 AM for this year's Drop Dead 5K presented by AvidXchange!

The race will take place throughout the beautiful 70+ acres of Charlotte’s Historic Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery. Run by the likes of Belk, Ivey, Morrison, Tate, and Blake, just to name a few of the resident luminaries. In addition to the 5K, the event features Knowledge Perk food truck, DJ Jeremy, an award ceremony, and a guided tour after the race.

Your registration fee includes:

• Official race shirt
• Custom race bib
• Finisher medal
• (1) complimentary beer from Petty Thieves Brewing Co.

New this year! We are excited to introduce our 1 Mile Kids Fun Run presented by Brewer Global! The race will take place at 10 a.m. This is FREE for kids (registration is required) and includes a fun run finisher medal.

Photo credit: Austin Caine Photography

Proceeds: All proceeds help support the 501(c)3 nonprofit, Historic Elmwood Pinewood, Inc. (HEPI). Help us support the cemetery’s restoration and preservation while getting some exercise and enjoying some history! Can’t make the race but still want to support? Register as a "Sleep In Supporter" and get the official 2023 race shirt.

Help us reach our fundraising goal! We now have the option for your team to help us fundraise! Every year we have a ton of teams with the most creative team names. You now have the ability to create a fundraising goal for your team with a chance to win prizes! The top 3 fundraising teams will win a prize (prizes to be announced soon.) Help us reach our fundraising goal of $2,500 so we can continue our work of restoring, preserving, and sharing the stories of these historical cemeteries.

Sponsor: Want to sponsor? We need you! Email elmwoodpinewoodclt@gmail.com.

Parking: Parking is available at the Gateway Village Parking Deck and at Irwin Academy Center. See maps.

Join us for the 5K Awards Ceremony at 9:45 AM. Awards will be given out to:

Top 3 Males/Females Overall

Top 1 Male/Female in the following Age Groups:
9 & Under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

About Historic Elmwood Pinewood Inc. (HEPI)

Once divided by a fence, the white Elmwood and Black Pinewood Cemeteries are now treasurers of the past and present in Uptown Charlotte. Before there was a Department of Park and Recreation, these cemeteries were purposely designed with a “park-like” atmosphere allowing for dual-use. Easter and Halloween parades were conducted in Elmwood. Families had picnics and children played in the green space. We at HEPI believe that we, in concert with the City, can provide both a safe, friendly, and serene environment for those interred, those visiting loved ones, and those wanting to learn about our past or just take a break from the hubbub.

Huge thank you to our sponsors for making this race possible!