Photo: Courtesy, Black Eyed Pea Run

A New Year’s Day tradition as old as time my eight year old will return to Fayetteville this year.

That’s because locals Doug and Pauline Allen have organized their seventh annual Black Eyed Pea New Year’s Run for Saturday, Jan. 1 on Mud Creek Trail in Fayetteville. The event, which was called off last year due to the pandemic, officially began in 2014.

The annual race includes two runs – a 5k and a 10k – that will take place along Mud Creek Trail beginning at 10 a.m. at the Allen’s home, located at 3509 Buckingham Drive in Fayetteville. Racers should show up at 9 or 9:30 a.m.

The race this year is a fun run, is not chip-timed, and there are no t-shirts for participants this year.

Donations of $20-$30 will be accepted for The Equality Crew and Fayetteville High School Outreach Program, with 100% of the proceeds from the event going to support these local youth programs.

Registration is available at Facebook page for the event.