Hillbilly Run and Flip Flop Trop returns to Hatteras on April 1

The Hillbilly Run and Flip Flop Trot will be held this year on April 1 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Hatteras Civic Center.

This fun and whimsical event was established in 2020 to fund the Monica F. Collingsworth Scarborough Memorial Scholarship but was initially canceled due to Covid. It was conceived to fund a scholarship for a student from Cape Hatteras Secondary School whose life had been touched by cancer but who managed to find positivity in the experience.

In 2021,  the first event was held virtually with about 65 participants, and along with sponsors and donations, the event raised over $4,000, resulting in the first scholarship awarded in the amount of $2,500. Last year, it grew to almost 90 participants – live and in places other than Hatteras Village – with the organizers adding the iconic toilet paper finish line.

This year will be the second live event in Hatteras with a virtual option for those who are away from the island or would rather participate on their own terms but still would like to be a part of the event.

Participants are encouraged to complete the family-friendly Trot as they see fit, with volunteers circling through the courses playing banjo music. The slightly more serious 5K participants will begin their run ahead of others.

The 5K run will run through an established course in Hatteras Village while participants in the Flip Flop Trot can walk, bike, skate, or however they see fit to reach the toilet paper finish line.

Registration is $30 and participants can register at https://www.jotform.com/build/220522739818056. Donations can be made on the form, too, for those unable to participate. Bag pick up will be on March 31st from 5-7 PM at the Hatteras Civic Center or can be picked up a hour before the event begins.

Those wishing to sponsor the event can email organizers at  hatterashillbilly@gmail.com for more information.