The night before the 40th Annual Black Gold Walnut Festival, there will be the annual Run the Town For Gold 5K/1 Mile Race as well as a new 1 mile bike race, as well as a classic car cruise-in.
Races
Both the run races and bike races will be on Friday night, October 3, 2025, on the square in Alton, Missouri. Awards will be given for all the races. Proceeds from the races will given to the Alton and Couch high school cross country teams.
Runs
The 1 mile race will begin at 6:15 pm, and the 5K will begin at 6:30. Registration for the runs will be at 5:00 pm. There will be both run and walk distances. The cost for either the 5K or 1 mile is $20. If you register before September 19th, you will get a t-shirt. You can also register after that or the night of. Forms can be printed out on the Chamber Facebook page, at the Alton Bank or here: Run the Town for Gold 5K and 1 Mile Race. Forms can be mailed to the Alton Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 141, Alton, MO 65606; or it can be returned to Kelly Haddock (417-270-1693) at the Alton Bank at 28 Medical Drive in Alton.
Bike Races
A new race this year is a bike race. There will three bike races: a trike race for kids 7 and under, a middle race for kids 7-10, and a 1 mile bike race for kids 11-17. The trike race will begin at 5:30 pm, the middle race at 5:40 pm, and the 1 mile bike race at 5:45 pm. The entry fee is $5. Registration forms can also be found on the Chamber Facebook page, at the Alton Bank, or here: Bike Registration Form. Forms can be dropped off at the Alton Bank. Racers can also sign up the night of.
