Episode Details

In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Brabble, COO of First Carolina Bank and the founder of the Tackle the Tar race in Rocky Mount. Kristen shares the story behind launching the event nearly a decade ago and how a simple idea—bringing the community together for a fun but challenging race—has grown into one of the region’s most impactful fundraisers.

Tackle the Tar is a 5K obstacle course race with more than 20 obstacles, often described as a “Tough Mudder-style” event that takes participants through mud pits, walls, crawls, and other physical challenges across the course. Tackle the Tar 5K obstacle race raises money for scholarships that support students attending Nash Community College, Edgecombe Community College, and North Carolina Wesleyan University, and since its founding in 2016 the event has generated more than $700,000 in scholarships for local students. 

This year’s race will take place on Saturday, May 16 at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex, and there are several ways to get involved. Participants can sign up to run the race, businesses can sponsor the event, and volunteers are always needed to help make the day a success. Kristen explains how the event has become a community tradition and why it continues to grow every year. This year, they expect close to 1,000 visitors to the area for the race. 

Tune in to hear Kristen’s story and the mission behind the race—and if you want to participate, volunteer, or become a sponsor, visit the official website:
https://www.tacklethetar.com.