Mount Afton Challenge

11/03/2026

LET'S TALK ABOUT MEN 💬

In this country, men die by su***de at nearly four times the rate of women.

Too many never say a word. A lot of us were raised on "rub some dirt on it." Providers. Fixers. The strong ones. Asking for help can feel like failing the job.

It isn't. Asking for help is strength.

A workout isn't therapy. But showing up next to someone every week is where a lot of real conversations start. That's a big part of why F3 exists, and why we run every January.

This Movember, check on the men in your life. The strong-looking ones too.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988. Free, confidential, 24/7.

Free to sign up.
Register + donate: mountaftonchallenge.com

10/31/2026

THE ONLY SCARY THING ABOUT JANUARY IS THE WEATHER 🎃

And we go rain or shine.

77 days to go.

Free to sign up.
Register + donate: mountaftonchallenge.com

10/24/2026

12 WEEKS OUT. HERE'S YOUR PLAN. 🏃

Want double digits on January 16th? Plenty of time.

✅ Weeks 1-4: walk or run 2 miles, three times a week
✅ Weeks 5-8: add a mile, add a hill
✅ Weeks 9-12: one longer effort every weekend

Every lap climbs to the Summit, so find yourself a hill.

Or skip all that and walk laps with your kids in January. Both count. That's the point.

Free to sign up.
Register + donate: mountaftonchallenge.com

10/20/2026

THE G.O.A.T. RETURNS 🐐

Six years of champions. The record is 18 laps in two hours, and somebody hit it three Januaries in a row. Nobody has ever hit 19.

This year there are eight titles up for grabs. Run or ruck. Open or masters (50+). Women and men. A ruck title means at least 20 pounds on your back.

Maybe this is your year.

But hear this: eight people take home a title. The morning belongs to everybody. A walker's first lap counts the same as the champ's eighteenth. That's the whole idea.

Who's coming? Tag your crew.

Free to sign up.
Register + donate: mountaftonchallenge.com

10/17/2026

ATTENTION F3 NATION 📢

The team board is up. F3 Afton has 14. F3 Harrisburg has 10. F3 Highlands is on the board.

Isotope? Race City? Where are you?

The 7th Annual Mount Afton Challenge is Saturday, January 16 in Concord. The loop doesn't care what your flag says.

Two hours. One-mile laps. Run it, ruck it, or walk it. It's a fundraiser for mental health and su***de prevention services in Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly counties. A cause F3 knows too well, in this region and yours.

Bring your PAX. Bring your family. Bring your shovel flag. Drop your region in the comments so we know who's coming.

Start a team for your region when you register. Free to sign up.
Register + donate: mountaftonchallenge.com

F3 AFTON F3 Harrisburg - The Ridge

10/10/2026

TODAY IS WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 💚

Your assignment, and it's not a lap:

Text one friend you haven't heard from in a while. Not "hope you're well." Ask how they're actually doing. Then wait for the real answer.

Costs you nothing. You have no idea what it might be worth.

988, call or text, anytime. Save it in your phone today.

10/06/2026

"WHERE DOES THE MONEY ACTUALLY GO?" 💵

Fair question. Here's the answer.

The F3 Foundation serves as fiduciary for the Mount Afton Challenge. F3F delivers the donation to NAMI Cabarrus Rowan Stanly, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. A small portion supports the mission of F3F.

On race day last January we held up a check for $25,000. Once every dollar came in and every bill was paid, the final number was higher.

So what does our local NAMI do?

Free, confidential support groups. For people living with a mental health condition. For the families who love them. For people who have lost someone to su***de.

Classes for families, and for people living with it.

Su***de prevention training for anyone who wants to learn how to help.

Not a national fund. Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly counties. Our neighbors.

Free to sign up.
Register + donate: mountaftonchallenge.com

Need support now? Call or text 988, 24/7.

10/03/2026

50 AND COUNTING 📈

The first 50 are signed up for the Mount Afton Challenge. Every name on that list is one more person out on the loop with us on January 16.

That's more than triple where we were this time last year.

Run it, ruck it, or walk it. Two hours. One-mile laps. Afton Village.

Free to sign up.

Register + donate: mountaftonchallenge.com
Tap Going so you get the reminders: facebook.com/events/2010542112936247

10/01/2026

CAROLINA BUSINESSES, WE'RE BUILDING THE 2027 ROSTER 📣

The 7th Annual Mount Afton Challenge runs Saturday, January 16 in Afton Village.

Here is what your name gets attached to.

Last January, 636 people registered. On race day we handed NAMI Cabarrus Rowan Stanly a check for $25,000, and once every dollar came in the final number was higher. That money funds mental health and su***de prevention services in Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly counties.

More than 40% of what we raise comes from sponsors. You would not be decoration on a banner. You are a large part of how this actually works.

The F3 Foundation serves as fiduciary and delivers the donation to NAMI Cabarrus Rowan Stanly. Contributions are tax deductible.

If your business wants in, or you know someone who would, send us a message and we will get you the packet.

mountaftonchallenge.com

And if you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988. Free, confidential, 24/7.

04/29/2026

NAMI Cabarrus 🫶

Strength in numbers. Impact in action. 🤝

We are always proud to receive the generous support of F3 AFTON as we advance our local mental health movement. Thank you for hosting the annual Mount Afton Challenge, which raises funds and awareness to help us build better lives 💙

Save The Date 👇

📅 Saturday, January 16, 2027 from 8am – 10am
📍 Afton Village - 5401 Village Drive NW Concord, NC US 28027