Hello Zen Squirrel Runners.
Welcome to the 6th edition of the Zen Squirrel Trail Run coming up this Saturday, March 22 at Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill, NC! Prepare for an awesome day on the trails as you and close to 200 fellow trail runners navigate 2, 5, or 10 miles on scenic, forest covered courses that include a mixture of smooth and flowing dirt trails, rock and root strewn single-track, and challenging hill climbs. It’s going to be a great day and we can’t wait to see everyone on Saturday!
Below is the race info email which contains logistical and safety details for the race. This message is long but should answer most questions you might have. Please take a few minutes to read. I will send another (shorter) email email on Thursday night or Friday morning with reminders and any last minute updates.
Race Location: Great Meadow Park in Briar Chapel: 161 Salt Cedar Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Schedule of Events – Saturday, 3/22/25 (Race Day!)
- 8am–9:45am: Check-in / Packet Pick-up
- 8:50am: 10 Mile Pre-Race Brief
- 9am: 10 Mile Race Start
- 9:35am: 5 Mile Pre-Race Brief
- 9:45am: 5 Mile Race Start
- 9:50am: 2 Mile Pre-Race Brief
- 10am: 2 Mile Race Start
- 10:15am-12pm: Food/Beverage, Music, Sponsors
- 11am: FREE Kids ‘Race for Treasure’ (11-U)
- 11:15am: Awards
- 11:30am: Contests and Giveaways
Race Weather and Course Conditions: As of Tuesday, 3/18, race day weather is looking very nice, with partly sunny skies, no rain, and comfortable temps ranging from the low 40s in the early morning to the mid 50s by awards. GREAT RUNNING WEATHER! I scouted the courses this past weekend and they were in excellent condition – dry, with good trail visibility. We received some rain yesterday and it looks like we will get a little more on Thursday, but with the relatively dry foundation and having all day on Friday to soak up the water, I anticipate the trails being in great shape on race day. I will send an update on the weather, course conditions, and any other last minute news later in the week.
Volunteers: We are looking solid for volunteers but could still use the help of a few more, mostly at aid stations. Volunteers have a front row seat to all the action, get a sweet race tee, free food, $15 off a future Roadless Races event, and our sincere appreciation. Plus, volunteering is fun! If any of your friends/family would like to volunteer, please ask them to SIGN UP HERE. THANK YOU to all our awesome volunteers!
Registration: If you have friends or family that have not signed up yet but intend to race, please let them know that registration will remain open through Saturday (extra $5 on race day). Also, t-shirts are still available in all sizes but stock is dwindling with each new racer. If a tee is available in their size when registering, theirs is locked in. REGISTER HERE.
Start List: To view a list of currently registered racers, CLICK HERE.
Arrival: Please arrive early to help alleviate backups. It takes time to park, check-in, use the bathroom, warm up, and attend the pre-race brief. We recommend arriving 45-60 min before your start time. Also, please take your restroom break early to avoid any last minute ‘line waiting stress’. There are several entrances to Briar Chapel but we suggest using the entrance off Andrew Store Rd (see address and directions below). After entering Briar Chapel, follow the signs for Race Parking.
Directions and Address of Staging Area at Great Meadow Park:
- Address: 161 Salt Cedar Ln, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
- Briar Chapel is located off Rt. 15/501, which is 15 minutes south of downtown Chapel Hill.
- From 15/501, take Andrew Store Rd west for approximately 1 mile.
- Turn right onto Granite Mill Blvd (2nd Briar Chapel entrance) and follow the Race Parking signs.
- Park and walk to staging area at the pavilion at Great Meadow Park.
Parking: Park along the neighborhood streets of Briar Chapel, adjacent to the staging area at Great Meadow Park. SEE PARKING MAP below. Please arrive early and carpool, if bringing family or friends. Some of the streets at Briar Chapel are narrow so PLEASE PARK ON ONE SIDE OF THE STREET ONLY. If all the space fills up near the staging area, there is plenty of parking at Woods Charter School (160 Woodland Grove Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27516), which is an 8-minute walk to the staging area. Thank you, Woods Charter!
Check-in: Check-in opens at 8am and will take place at the pavilion of Great Meadow Park. At check-in you will receive your bib number and t-shirt.
Restrooms/Portajohns: Restrooms and portajohns will be available at the pavilion. 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 10 minutes before your race start time and will take place at the race start near the pavilion (corner of Great Ridge Pkwy/Beacon Ridge Blvd).
Race Start: The 10 mile race will begin at 9am, the 5 mile at 9:45am, and the 2 mile at 10am.
Race Courses: Briar Chapel has over 20 miles of AWESOME single-track trails. There are some easy, flat mellow areas but most of the trails at Briar Chapel offer a fun challenge and include plenty of rocks, roots, and hills. We would categorize the trails at Briar Chapel as moderately technical. Each of the 2 mile, 5 mile, and 10 mile, one-loop race courses, starts with .3 miles of downhill pavement running, perfect for separating the field of runners. After that, runners hit the trails, and stay on the trails, except for a few road crossings and short paved sections. Click the links below to view course descriptions/ratings, maps, and elevation profiles.
Race Strategy/Trail Etiquette: While there are plenty of passing opportunities on the trails at Briar Chapel, many of the single-track trails 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 about .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. There are some minor social trails at Briar Chapel that lead to homes or down to streams. Do not turn off the main trail if you do not see an arrow. Before road crossings, you will see a CAUTION – ROAD CROSSING sign. Most road crossings will be staffed with Sheriff’s Deputies or Course Marshals, but some minor crossings will not. PLEASE BE CAREFUL AT ROAD CROSSINGS AND LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING ANY ROAD.
Splits and Merges: There are two splits and two merges on this course. The splits and merges will be marked with signage.
- Split #1 @ .85M – 10M/5M runners go straight, 2M runners turn right
- Split #2 @ 1.4M – 10M runners turn left and 5M runners turn right
- Merge #1 @ 6.9M (10M) / 1.8M (5M) – 10M and 5M runners will merge back together
- Merge #2 @ 9.7M (10M), 4.6M (5M), and 1.6M (2M) – 2M runners will merge back with 10M/5M runners with .5 miles left in the race
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 STAY HYDRATED. Aid stations will be stocked with water and Gatorade. Use the cups provided or carry a camelback or handheld water bottle. The 10M course has six aid stations spaced 1.2-2.2 miles from each other. The 5M has three aid stations spaced 1.2-1.5 miles from each other. The 2M course has an aid station at the finish only. First aid kits and emergency communication will be available at each aid station. An aid station will also be positioned at the finish.
NO IN-EAR EARPHONES or LOUD AUDIBLE MUSIC: The use of in-ear EARPHONES or LOUD AUDIBLE MUSIC that restricts hearing is not permitted during any Roadless Races event. We understand that many folks 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 hiking 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, enjoy the sounds of nature, talk to people, make some friends, and have fun.
No Dogs 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.
Photos: Professional photographer Tim Skelding will be at the race capturing the fun and friendly competition. 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!
Chip Timing / Results: Timing chips will be affixed to the back of your race bib. To ensure your timing chip is read at the finish line and to help our volunteers provide direction at course splits, please wear your bib on the front of your body, either on your torso or on your shorts. Results will be available immediately after the race. For a link to the results, look for the QR code posted near the pavilion.
Safety and Medical: Deputies from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office will be onsite watching over our safety (mostly at busy road crossings) and EMTs from the Chatham County Fire Department will be onsite to assist with any medical issues, and to provide any needed emergency response. Go to the medical tent if you need first aid or medical assistance. Thank you, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department!
Post-Race Food/Beverages: Tasty post-race food such as sliders, hummus/veggies, bananas, 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, 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!
Recycle: Please put used aluminum cans in the big blue recycling bins only.
FREE Kids Race for Treasure: At 11am, kids 11-under 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 ‘race course’ to cheer them on. We will match kids in age groups (2-3, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-11) and start separately for a short out and back ‘race’ in the large field 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 11:15am. Awards (1st-5th place tumblers) 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. After all awards have been distributed, we will get a large group photo with all the overall and age group award winners.
Giveaways and Contests – Cornhole and Push-Up: We have some awesome stuff to giveaway at the race, including Goodr sunglasses and Zen Squirrel swag. After the awards, stick around for your chance to win. 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 super-fun 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. After the contests, we will randomly giveaway the rest of the sweet stuff.
Gift Certificates and Swag from Fleet Feet: Building community and helping their customers reach their running goals is what Fleet Feet is all about. Thank you so much to Fleet Feet Carrboro/Durham 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 local chapter of Meals on Wheels to support its mission of providing meals and connection to homebound seniors in need. You rock, Coastal Credit Union – THANK YOU!
Awesome Sponsors: THANK YOU to 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 – Carrboro/Durham.
Whew, I know that was a lot – thank you for taking the time to read this message and THANK YOU for participating in the Zen Squirrel Trail Run.
We are looking forward to an excellent day of trail running action and we can’t wait to see you at the race.
Jim
Jim Harman
Race Director
Roadless Races
roadlessraces.com
jim@roadlessraces.com
571-251-6034
