Q: What’s full of cheese and rolls across a finish line?
A: The participants in the first-annual Run 4 Cheese 5k!

If you’re planning to attend the 2016 American Cheese Society Conference & Competition in Des Moines, Iowa (taking place from June 27-30), then bring your running shoes and start working on your tempo runs. After three days of deep immersion in cheese tastings, seminars, and partying, you’ll have the opportunity to wake up on the morning of Sunday, July 31s, and hit the pavement, putting your feet to the test against your fellow curd nerds.

Top runners will receive prizes—including knives and other gear that any monger would covet, race swag, and more! Cheese-themed costumes are highly encouraged, and the best getup will receive a prize of its own.

While you’re striding towards your CFPB (Cheese-Fueled Personal Best), you’ll also be fundraising for two worthy causes: the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award and the American Cheese Education Foundation. If you’re not attending the ACS conference, you can still support DZTA and ACEF by sponsoring somebody who will be running the 5k (select the “Support a Cheese Runner” option during signup).

WHEN: Sunday, July 31, 2016, 8:00AM

WHERE: Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center – 833 5th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 – (exact course map to be announced later)

COST: $30.00 (+$2.64 fee)

SIGN UP: Get tickets on EventBrite and follow along on social media via the hashtag #run4cheese

Feature Photo Credit: Vsevolod33 | Shutterstock.com

Matt Spiegler

Matt Spiegler is a Brooklyn, N.Y., cheesemaker and the founder of the blog Cheese Notes.