And just like that, it's back.

Two months after local runners woke up to a social media post with the sad news that the beloved Triple Crown of Running Series had been canceled — organizers said waning participation in the 35-year-old racing events was the reason — the series has been resurrected.

A former Triple Crown winner and avid supporter of running in our community, Camille Estes, who now works for EnMotive, a division of RAM Racing, has been instrumental in saving the three local races from extinction. Estes and her husband, Jim, also a former Triple Crown winner, owned Fleet Feet Louisville, an athletics store specializing in running gear, 10 years ago when it was located on Bardstown Road.

The news came Wednesday morning at a gathering at Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St. RAM Racing, a national endurance sports event production company, announced it plans to pump new energy into the three well-established running events.

“We couldn’t let such an important series to the Louisville running community disappear. We know it’s become a staple in Louisville,” said Steve Ginsburg, CEO of RAM. “We are committed to helping running communities nationwide thrive. When possible, we will always jump in and do our best to serve individual running communities any way we can.”

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But don't expect the new Triple Crown of Running to be the same-old, same-old series. The 2020 race series, which will be run between March and April, will feature course changes to the 10k race, and the final leg of the revitalized series will now be the inaugural Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Louisville.

Frequently referred to as America’s Sweetest Race, since 2008 the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race series has become an annual favorite on runners’ calendars — every year over 200,000 participants run for chocolate, making it the fastest-growing race series in the nation.

The series combines industry-leading production and safety standards with award-winning giveaways including finisher’s medal and mugs filled with hot chocolate, chocolate fondue and tasty dippable treats. More than one million people have run in a Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race since its inception, currently with races in 22 cities nationally and three cities in Mexico.

In addition to the new final leg of the series, look for changes to the racecourses.

The 10K run course will no longer run into the Highlands, Estes said. Instead, both the 10k and The Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k will take place in downtown Louisville with Waterfront Park playing a significant role in the updated courses.

However, "the 5k course will stay exactly the same as the 2019 course," Estes said.

While local runners now have their spring race series to look forward to again, local business owners also have something to cheer about.

"From a business standpoint, the cancellation of the Triple Crown of Running would have drastically affected the store sales," said Erin Bailey, current owner Fleet Feet Louisville. "The race series gets people out and training during a time of year that most would sit inside bundled up to stay warm so it gives everyone in the community something to look forward to."

Bailey's athletic shoe and apparel store in St. Matthews not only outfits runners and walkers with the gear they need to train but also provides training programs.

For 35 years, the series focused on helping runners and walkers of all fitness levels embrace a healthy lifestyle and achieve the goal of competing in three progressively longer races. Many of us used the Triple Crown races to prepare for the Kentucky Derby Festival's 13-mile miniMarathon — held the weekend before the Kentucky Derby.

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Since 2002, the Triple Crown of Running has also provided substantial charitable donations, donating over $1.8 million to the WHAS Crusade for Children.

Giving back to our community, RAM Racing said it will honor Triple Crown’s longtime traditions by continuing its charity partnership with WHAS Crusade for Children as the charity of choice for the 5k and 10k races. Make-A-Wish will continue to be the charity for the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k.

"My hope is that everyone, near and far signs up for all three legs of the new Triple Crown of Running," Bailey said. "Our community has to pull together to keep heritage events alive and well."

So here's how you can do it: Sign up for a single race or all three. You can bundle all three races in registration and receive a finisher medal for completing the 5k, 10k and 15k within the series. The bundle offer is $15 off the total cost of the three races. The series will also include kids races.

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Also, don't forget when you are making your fitness plans for the new year, you can register for the Kentucky Derby Festival's miniMarathon, Marathon or Marathon Relay taking place April 25, 2020. Visit the Kentucky Derby Festival website at derbyfestivalmarathon.com/registration/.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/kirbya.

2020 Triple Crown of Running

WHAT: The Triple Crown of Running features three road races — a 5k, 10K and 15k — that has been a Louisville tradition for 35 years.

WHEN:

5k Fitness Classic will be held Saturday, March 7

10k City Run will take place Saturday, March 21

Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race will be held Saturday, April 4

MORE INFORMATION: Registration for the revamped Triple Crown of Running series is open here at ramraces.enmotive.com.