Hello Harepin Hustle Trail Runners,
Welcome to the Inaugural Harepin Hustle Trail Run coming up this Saturday, November 9th at Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville, NC. This race is going to be awesome, as you and over 200 fellow trail runners navigate 5K or 10K of flowy, fun, forest covered single-track with plenty of hairpin turns and berms.
RACE DAY INFO
Below is the race day info email, which contains logistical and safety details for the race. This message is long but should answer most of the questions you might have. Please take a few minutes to read. I will send another reminder/update email on Friday evening by 8pm.
Below is your race check-in QR code. If you can show this to the check-in volunteers, it will speed up the check-in process. If you do not have it, no worries – we can look you up.
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Schedule of Events
Thursday, 11/7/24 (OPTIONAL Early Check-in / Packet Pick-up)
Fleet Feet Morrisville: 3027 Village Market Place, Morrisville, NC 27560
- 4pm–6pm: OPTIONAL Early Check-In / Packet Pick-up @ Fleet Feet Morrisville. Racers may be pick for other racers and FF is offering a 10% discount at PPU (excluding shoes and electronics).
Saturday, 11/9/24 (Race Day)
Lake Crabtree County Park: 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560
- 7:15am – 8:45am: Check-in/Packet Pick-up (only if you DID NOT check-in on Thurs)
- 8:20am: Pre-Race Brief (10K)
- 8:30am: Race Start (10K)
- 8:50am: Pre-Race Brief (5K)
- 9:00am: Race Start (5K)
- 9:15am – 11am: Post-race Food/Beverage
- 10:00am: FREE Kids ‘Race for Treasure’ (kids 11-U)
- 10:15am: Awards and Coastal Credit Union donation to Meals on Wheels
- 10:30am: Contests (cornhole and push up) and Giveaways
Race Day Weather: As of Tuesday, November 5 @ 2pm, race day weather is looking nice, with sunny skies, light winds, and temps ranging from the high 40s in the early morning (brrr:) to the mid 60s by awards (ah, that’s better)! We will likely receive some showers on Thursday and Friday, but I do not see anything in the forecast that will cause us to alter plans. It has been super dry for quite a while, so some rain will actually be a good thing. I will include the latest race day forecast in the email I send on Friday evening.
Course Conditions: I was at the park late last week and the trails were in great shape – dry and hard-packed, with good trail visibility. I will be headed back to the park again later today or tomorrow to access. Any needed maintenance will be done later today or tomorrow to get the course in race ready condition!
Registration: If you have friends or family that have not signed up yet but intend to race, please let them know that online registration will remain open until race day. The reg fee goes up on Thurs, 11/7 @ 11:59pm. so if they sign up soon, they can save some $.
Start List: CLICK HERE to view the list of registered racers.
Check-in/Packet Pick-up: Early check-in/packet pick-up (OPTIONAL) will be available at the Fleet Feet Morrisville store on Thursday, 11/8 from 4pm-6pm (3027 Village Market Place, Morrisville, NC 27560). If you check-in on Thurs, you DO NOT need to check-in on race day. Race day check-in will be open from 7:15am-8:45am and will take place under the big tent in the staging area (on site at Lake Crabtree). At check-in you will receive your bib number (with timing chip) and your race t-shirt.
Venue Address: Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560
Staging: The staging area is in the NE corner of the lakeside field.
Arrival: Please arrive early to help alleviate backups and carpool, if bringing family or friends. It takes time to park, check-in, use the bathroom, warm up, and attend the pre-race brief. If you are checking in on race day (did not check-in on Thur), we recommend arriving 45-60 min before your start time and if you check-in on Thursday, we recommend arriving 30-45 min before your start time.
Parking: After entering the park, follow the ‘race parking’ signs. The huge grassy staging area is currently solid and dry, and if it remains that way by Saturday, we will be able to park all or most vehicles in the grassy field. If all or some of the field is too wet from the rains predicted on Thurs/Fri, then we will we park in the gravel and asphalt lots, filling P1, P2, P3, and P4, in that order. See parking map below. If we need to use the gravel/asphalt lots, those arriving early will park closest to check-in. It is a .2 mile walk for those parking in P4. If we need to use the lots, bag/key check will be available at check-in for those that do not want to walk back to their vehicle after check-in. I will let you know the final decision on parking in the email I send on Friday evening.
Portajohns and Bathrooms: Portajohns will be located in the staging area near check-in and the race start. Park bathrooms will be open and available in two locations, near the boat ramp parking lot and between P3 and P4. See staging area diagram above for exact locations. Please take your restroom break early. We have ordered enough portajohns for our anticipated numbers but if everyone tries to ‘go’ a few minutes before the race, there will be long lines. Each race will start on time, so please factor your restroom break accordingly.
Pre-Race Brief: The pre-race brief will begin at 8:20am for the 10K and 8:50am for the 5K. The brief will take place in the eastern portion of the gravel lot, near the portajohns. When we are ready to start the race, we will stop traffic and bring everyone out into the road for the race start.
Race Start: The 10K will begin at 8:30am SHARP. The 5K will begin at 9am SHARP.
Race Courses: Providing easy passing, these one-loop 10K and 5K courses begin with .3 miles of wide pavement running. After this beginning section, athletes will enter and stay on single-track trails before exiting the woods, crosssing the road to the field (with direction from a course marshal), and running the perimeter of the field to the finish chute (about .25 miles around the field). These courses are flowy and fun with plenty of hairpin turns and berms. There are lake views from mile .5 to the first aid station at mile 1.2 and then again at the end of the race. While this course is comprised primarily of single-track trails, it is not overly tight, so there are plenty of passing opportunities spread throughout. We would categorize these trails as semi-technical, with some moderate root and rock filled sections, and moderate elevation gain. The exact distance of the 5K is 3.4 miles with 198′ of elevation gain and the 10K is 6.2 miles with 390′ of elevation gain.
To view interactive course details and elevation profiles for each course, click on the links below.
Race Strategy/Trail Etiquette: While there are plenty of passing opportunities spread throughout the course, some of the single-track trails at Lake Crabtree are narrow and passing may be difficult. So, it is suggested that you factor this into your race strategy. At the beginning of the race, there is .3 miles of wide pavement before entering the single-track. So, it is recommended that you place yourself appropriately at the start line, with faster racers near the front, mid pack racers near the middle, and ‘back of pack’ runners near the rear. Also, proper trail etiquette should be practiced. Overtaking racers should use audible signals such as ‘passing on your left’ or ‘passing on your right’ and, when possible, slower racers should allow them to pass. Keep in mind, however, that it is the responsibility of the overtaking racer to pass safely.
Course Marking: The course will be marked with red, yellow, or pink laminated arrows at all turns or areas of decision, and pint surveyor’s tape tied to branches between points of decision. Arrows will be tied to trees or stapled to wooden stakes. Do not turn off the main trail if you do not see an arrow (or two or three). There is one main road crossing during this race, right near the finish. Before this road crossing, you will see a CAUTION – ROAD CROSSING sign and the road crossing will be staffed with a course marshal. PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THIS ROAD.
5K/10K Split and Merge: The 5K/10K split is located at 1.8M and will be very visible with 5K to the left arrows and 10K to the right arrows. So you follow the appropriate course, please look for these signs and listen to the course marshal. YOUR BIB MUST BE VISIBILE FROM THE FRONT SO THE COURSE MARSHAL CAN SEE WHICH RACE YOU ARE RUNNING. The 5K/10K course will merge back together at 5.6M for the 10K and 2.8M for the 5K. It’s only .6M to go after the merge.
Mile Markers: Mile markers will be located at every aid station as well as one mile from the finish and ½ mile from the finish.
Aid Stations: Remember to ARRIVE AND STAY HYDRATED. Aid stations will be stocked with water and Gatorade. Use the paper cups provided or carry a camelback or handheld water bottle/reusable cup. If you use a paper cup, please do your best to throw the cup in or in the general vicinity of the trash bag located just after the aid stations:) The 10K course has four aid stations at 1.2M, 3.0M, 4.5M, and 5.6M. The 5K has two aid stations at 1.2M and 2.8M. First aid kits and emergency communication will be available at each aid station. An aid station will be available at the finish as well.
Medical: EMTs from the Morrisville Fire Department will be onsite to assist with medical issues and to provide any needed emergency response. Go to the medical tent if you need first aid or medical assistance. Thank you, Morrisville Fire Department!
Chip Timing / Results: The timing pros from Junction 311 are timing this race. Timing chips will be affixed to the back of your race bib. Please wear your bib on the front of your body, either on your torso or on your shorts. Results will be posted online on runsignup immediately following the event. Look for a QR code at the finish area that will direct you to the results.
NO IN-EAR EARPHONES or LOUD AUDIBLE MUSIC: The use of in-ear EARPHONES or AUDIBLE MUSIC is not permitted during any Roadless Races event. We understand that some like to run with music. To strike a balance, you may use bone conduction headsets (on low volume so you can still hear your surroundings). Why, you may ask? Well, for the following three reasons:
- Safety – we need to look out for each other! Our courses are held on trails in remote areas. If someone gets injured out on the trails, we rely on racers to notify us so we can activate emergency response. Racers must be alert at all times.
- Courtesy – trail races are very different than road races. Passing is usually not a problem in road races but passing can be a challenge on single-track trails. To pass safely, trail etiquette suggests using audible signals such as passing on your left. Passing someone who can’t hear you is difficult and frustrating.
- Community – at Roadless Races we strive to build community. Please use your time with us to unleash yourself from your device and have fun!
No Dogs (or other pets) on the Course: We love our furry friends, but for the safety of all racers (and dogs), they are NOT PERMITTED on the racecourse. Spectators are welcome to bring LEASHED (6′ leash max) and SUPERVISED dogs. Please do not allow your dog to come within 10′ of the racecourse.
Photos: Professional photographer Tim Skelding will be at the race capturing images of the fun and friendly competition. All photos will be available for FREE download a few days after the event, and we will send you an email when they are ready. Smile big when you see Tim out on the course!
Post-Race Food/Beverages: Tasty post-race food such as sliders, bagels/peanut butter, hummus/veggies, fruit, pickles, trail bars, chips, cookies, trail mix, little cups of M&Ms, etc. will be available after the race – enjoy! Beverages include water, Gatorade, soft drinks, seltzer water, Honest Kids, and non-alcoholic craft beer from Athletic Brewing Company – NICE! Food is complimentary for all racers and volunteers.
Athletic Brewing Company – Craft Non-Alcoholic Beer: A cold beer hits the spot after a race and now you can enjoy a tasty post-race craft beverage that doesn’t compromise your ability to stay sharp and healthy. After the race, grab an Athletic Brewing Company beer and enjoy! Thank you and cheers to Athletic Brewing Company!
Please Recycle: Look for the blue recycling containers near the food tent and please do not throw trash into the recycling containers – THANK YOU!
FREE Kids Race for Treasure: At 10am, kids aged 11-U are invited to participate in the Kids Race for Treasure. Fun, Fun, Fun!!!! All kids are welcome to participate, and parents are encouraged to line the ‘racecourse’ to cheer them on. We will match kids in age groups (3-U, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-11) to run a short out and back ‘race’ in an open area near the staging area. After running, kids can grab a prize (toys from the dollar store:) from the Treasure Chest!
Awards: The awards ceremony will start at 10:15am. Awards (1st-5th place pint glasses) and prizes (Fleet Feet gift certificates) will be presented to the top five M/F overall finishers in each distance. We will announce the overall winners and ask them to come up to the podium for their awards. Awards (1st-3rd place pint glasses) will be given to the top three M/F age group competitors for each distance. Age groups include 13-Under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Age group winners should pick up their pint glass from the awards table.
Giveaways and Contests (Cornhole and Push-Up – all that receive swag): We have some cool stuff to giveaway at the race, including Goodr sunglasses, Fleet Feet gift certs, Hoka fanny packs, and other swag. After the awards, stick around for the contests, and your chance to win prizes and swag. First up will be the cornhole tournament where all participants have one shot to get the bag in the hole (feel free to practice beforehand). Make it and you move on to round two, etc until we have a winner (who can select their choice of prizes). Next up is the push up contest where the top two M/F participants who are left ‘standing’ at the end can select a prize of their choosing. All who participate in the cornhole or push up contests will receive an item of swag.
Discounts, Gift Certificates, and Swag from Fleet Feet: Building community and helping their customers reach their running goals is what Fleet Feet is all about. Pick up your packet early or bring your bib into FF on 11/9 or 11/10 and take 10% off your purchase (excluding shoes/electronics). Thank you so much to Fleet Feet Raleigh/Morrisville for the discounts and for contributing gift certificates for the overall prizes and swag for giveaways.
Coastal Credit Union Donation to Meals on Wheels: Not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, that provides member dividends, teller service 7 days a week, better rates, low fees, and safe/secure banking, Coastal Credit Union has been putting community over profit for over 50 years, and we are thrilled to partner with such an upstanding corporate citizen. At this race, and several of our others, Coastal has committed to donate $3/athlete to the Wake County chapter of Meals on Wheels to support its mission of providing meals and connection to homebound seniors in need. CCU will present a BIG CHECK (literally) to MOW at the awards ceremony. You rock, Coastal Credit Union – THANK YOU!
Awesome Sponsors: THANK YOU to all our generous sponsors for providing product, services, donations, and giveaways in support of grassroots racing and our community. Please show your love and support our sponsors in any way you can. Athletic Brewing Company, Coastal Credit Union, and Fleet Feet – Raleigh/Morrisville.
Whew, I know that was a lot – thank you for taking the time to read this message and THANK YOU for participating in the Harepin Hustle Trail Run.
Prepare for an excellent morning on the trails and see you on Sat.
Jim
Jim Harman
Race Director
Roadless Races
roadlessraces.com
jim@roadlessraces.com
571-251-6034
