Council approves fee waiver for Greater Goldsboro Road Run, with operational conditions

The Goldsboro City Council voted Dec. 1 to provide an in-kind sponsorship — a waiver of the $400 tier-4 fee — to the Greater Goldsboro Road Run, an annual charity event organized by Sunrise Kiwanis, contingent on operational stipulations to limit downtown disruption.

Scott Edwards, who identified himself as representing the Greater Goldsboro Road Run and Sunrise Kiwanis, told council the event has run for 47 years and typically draws about 220 participants; the group asked to continue starting and finishing on Center Street on March 28, 2026, and requested a fee waiver because proceeds support youth charities in Wayne County. "Our event . . . only lasts from, like, 9 to 11:30 on Saturday morning" and "our cost goes straight to supporting the people in Wayne County," Edwards said (presentation).

Councilmembers asked detailed operational questions about whether both sides of Center Street would be closed, impacts on restaurants and parking, prior-year parking-lot closures and NCDOT permitting for routes that cross state roads. Council recommended leaving a key parking lot open for business employees, reopening parts of Center Street once shorter races clear the route, considering revised start times and documenting any agreed exceptions consistently to avoid perceived favoritism toward some events. One councilmember observed that the city had denied similar requests in the past and urged consistent policy application.

After discussion the council approved the in-kind sponsorship/fee waiver with stipulations regarding operations and parking; the motion passed unanimously.

What to expect

Staff and the event organizer will document the staging and parking plan and any operational commitments in writing. Council members said they prefer year-by-year consideration rather than an indefinite waiver. The manager noted the council could create a policy or designated event weekends to allocate downtown access among organizations.