Objectives:

 1.  Don't die

 2.  No permanent injuries

 3.  Finish

 4.  Bring awareness to potential for permanent foot path from UNC to Duke.

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Please note the multiple ways you can participate:

• You can do the entire route (approx 30 miles) - this requires registration at UltraSignup

• On even years, you can start with us and stop at 5, 10 or 15 provided you have your own transportation

• On Odd Years, you can join up with us 15, 20 or 25 provided you have your own transportation

Even Years:

• Start:  We will meet at the Old Well at UNC Chapel Hill at 7:00 am

• Finish:  We will finish at Duke Chapel around 2:00 pm

Odd years:  

• Start: We will meet up at the start at Duke Chapel at 7:00 am

• Finish:  We will finish at UNC's Old Well around 2:00 pm

Transportation to the start and from the finish is your responsibility. (We may have a few vans so if you need a lift, ping me off list and we'll get you there.)

Drop bags: 

Please keep them to a small backpack so Mrs. Skrapple can fit them in our vehicle.

Mrs Skrapple will be meeting us at most of the water stops and at the finish. If you have a drop bag, bring it to the start and we can have it at the 10, 15, 25 and 30 water stops/finish. If you plan on changing shoes and socks, please bring appropriate odor resistant bags for your dirties.

Fuel: 

We'll have water at each stop but at least a hand-held is required. You can also leave food/drink in your drop bags. I would bring a phone in case of injury and if you need help, you will be on your own for transportation to medical. Fwiw: I am taking a hydration pack with 1 liter of water/Tailwind per Aid Station stop, which I'll re-fill as needed.

Route:  

Other than the first mile and last two miles, this is an all trail route. There are a few road crossings and one small stretch in a neighborhood street to avoid private property. There will be some off-trail bushwhacking. If you haven't run off-trail, I'm happy to take you on an introductory run whenever

Water spots and approximate eta:

Even Years

• 0 mi - UNC Chapel Hill - Old well (7:00 am)  

• 5 mi – Seawell School (8:00 am)

• 10 mi – Eubanks park & ride (9:15 am) - Port-a-potty normally available

• 15 mi – Movie Makers parking at Turkey Farm Road (10:45 am)

• 20 mi – Near Morph’s property (no crew access-water and snacks will be available) (11:45 am)

• 25 mi – Kerley/751 intersection. (1:00 pm)

• 30 mi – Finish at Duke Chapel (2:15 pm)

Pow-race chow at New Hope Market

https://www.yelp.com/biz/new-hope-market-chapel-hill 

Odd Years:

• 0 mi - Start at Duke Chapel (7:00 am)

• 5 mi – Kerley/751 intersection (8:00 am) - Water only; no drop bags

• 10 mi – Morph’s property (no crew access but water will be available) (9:30 am) - (Gracias, Morph!); no drop bags

• 15 mi – Movie Makers parking at Turkey Farm Road (10:45 am)

• 20 mi – Eubanks park & ride(12:15 pm); water; food; drop bags

• 25  mi – Seawell School(1:00 pm); water; food; drop bags

• 30  mi -  Finish at UNC Old Well (2:15 pm); water; drop bags

 *   Finisher shirts will be presented at the end. Participants shirts will also be presented. And five-time finishers are eligible for a five-timer Patagonia Houdini Tar-Devil logo zip-up hoodie.

Bathroom breaks:

Question:

I’m just going to ask the question that every 50k newbie is thinking but doesn’t ask: what about bathroom breaks? Should I pack supplies to “leave no trace”?

Here is my reply"

1) I try to do my business early in the am before I hit the trails. It’s a ritual I’ve pretty much nailed with over 20 years of practice.  Cheerios, banana, lots and lots of water, coffee and aimless WSJ or NY Times morning news, usually financial. That takes my mind off the subject and I relax and presto!

2) if a #2 is needed on the trail, I usually dig a hole about 12 inches deep and use leaves…this time of year there are plenty of the oak or maple kind that work well.  I think that has happened less than five times in over 2000 trail runs. If you need TP, bring it and just bury it thoroughly.

3) for #1s most folks just pull of the trail and find a tree. There may be a port a potty at the 15. Otherwise, we just wing it but it’s very much a part of our run. Each aid station you will have sufficient woods to go quickly. But sometimes folks stop a bit before the aid station and just give a shout out and we’ll make sure we stop or someone waits nearby with you so you don’t get left behind.

Hope that helps!

 *   Post-race chow-down with beverages at New Hope Market (even yesrs) or a Franklin Street restaurant (odd years) will be discussed during the last five mile stretch.

Note, this run is not affiliated with the Trailheads.