Event raises funds for preservation
A wide range of people will hit the trail Saturday, May 7 for this year’s PACWalk for Preservation. Participants of all ages have one common denominator: a love of the outdoors.

Now in its seventh year, “PACWalk is a feel-good event that appeals to families, young people and retirees,” Pacolet Area Conservancy Executive Director Sally Walker said. “Basically anyone can be a PACWalker. Our youngest ‘walker’ has been an infant in a stroller, and the oldest has been a year shy of a century. Some like to do the half-mile Sam White Stroll around the lake, and others enjoy the two-mile hike along beautiful woodland trails and back to the lake.”
The 2011 PACWalk will be held on Tryon Estates’ park-like grounds in Columbus.
The day’s events will begin with this year’s new early bird 5K Run for the Hills trail run. Later, at 10 a.m. PACWalkers and Strollers line up in a colorful wave of walkers who set out on their journeys to raise awareness and funds for the Pacolet Area Conservancy’s preservion of the area’s land and water systems.
Community teams from such groups as the Hunting Country, Tryon Rotary, and U U Spirit Team add friendly rivalry to see which group can show the most support for the conservation of the area’s natural resources.
One of the event’s most loyal supporters has been John Cash, a Landrum resident who, with his wife Diane, owns Nature’s Storehouse in Tryon. Nature’s Storehouse supported the first PACWalk and has stayed with the event every year.
Perhaps best known for his cycling with Lance Armstrong, Cash is a dedicated runner and believer in the benefits of running and walking for exercise.
Other PACWalk sponsors include Tryon Estates, Allstate Insurance in Columbus, Edward Jones in Columbus and Lynn, First Citizens Bank in Tryon, Pro Physical Therapy in Columbus, Owen’s Pharmacy in Tryon, Costco in Spartanburg, and Bonnie Brae Veterinary Hospital in Columbus.
Registration opens at 7:15 a.m. for Run for the Hills and 9 a.m. for PACWalk. Participants will be treated to a free lunch at the awards ceremony following the walk.
The 5K event awards prizes for all age groups in this officially timed trail run, and PACWalk gives out a bevy of more unconventional prizes to participants.
For more information, contact the PAC office at 828-859-5060 or go to www.pacolet.org.
– article submitted