Quarry Crusher Run announces four-state national series slated for 2016
April 11, 2016
Unique Columbia-grown race expanding to the national stage
The Quarry Crusher Run (QCR), one of Columbia’s most unique foot races, has expanded onto the national scene with 4 dates in 4 different states for 2016. The series will kick off with Columbia, South Carolina as its premier race on April 16, followed by Atlanta, Georgia on May 21, Birmingham, Alabama on June 11 and Baltimore, Maryland on September 24. All races will average around 3.7 miles and will be held in Vulcan Materials Company’s quarries in each state.
What started humbly by the organizers of the Olympia Community Festival and Eggplant Events in 2012, with 200 runners in year 1, attracted over 800 runners in 2015. After catching the attention of Vulcan representatives from around the nation, race organizers suddenly realized the opportunity and potential before them – to create a national series where runners in other states can participate in the once-a-year opportunity to run inside a private quarry.
“It was kind of like a lightbulb suddenly turned on that had actually been in front of our faces the entire time” says Jaime Lomas, race director. “We knew all along that Vulcan had quarries in other states, but for some reason, after our 4th year in Columbia, it became clear that the uniqueness of this race can appeal to people across the country, so with Vulcan’s help and support, we decided to take it on the road.”
The team of two taking the race to the national stage are Eggplant Events owner and QCR race director, Jaime Lomas and Merritt McNeely, QCR national series marketing director (full-time marketing director for the South Carolina State Museum). Lomas has been instrumental in organizing the races in each city slated for 2016 and will handle all race logistics for the series. McHaffie will promote and market the races within each community and on the national scale as well as help obtain national sponsors. The duo have worked together since 2006, first on the St. Pat’s Get to the Green 5K until 2013 and both helped create the original QCR in Columbia in 2012.
“This is an incredibly exciting time – not only for the Quarry Crusher Run – but for Columbia too. We can now proclaim that this national race series started right here in of our beloved famously hot city.” says Merritt McHaffie, marketing director. “We would not be able to take this race on the road if it weren’t for the Columbia runners who believed in us the first year and continue to support us every year.”
Registration for all races is now available online. Package rates are available for participants who want to run more than one in the series. Travel, hotel and other arrangements will be offered through Eggplant Events in working with transportation partners and local hotels in each city, offering cost savings to travelers where available. As a special thank you to the QCR’s loyal fan base in Columbia, special package pricing is being extended to previous participants to encourage runners to challenge themselves to run new quarries.
Fun fact: “Crusher run” is a well-known aggregate construction material used in a variety of ways and is produced from the Vulcan quarries – hence the name of the race.
Website: www.quarrycrusherrun.com
About the Quarry Crusher Run
Started in 2012, the Quarry Crusher Run came from humble beginnings in Columbia, South Carolina as part of the annual Olympia Festival, a festival designed to support and celebrate the Olympia Community. Considered one of the most grueling races in Columbia, the 3.7 mile trek involves descending into the Vulcan Materials Quarry and climbing the daunting 10%-15% incline straight back out. Its uniqueness has allowed this race to be a favorite in the Columbia running community. Each year the participant numbers continue to grow and the race has been attracting out of county and state participants since its first year.
About Vulcan Materials Quarry
Vulcan Materials Company is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates—primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel—and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. Their coast-to-coast footprint and strategic distribution network align with and serve the nation’s growth centers.
