Hello from Roadless Races,
The Harepin Hustle Trail Run at Lake Crabtree is coming up this Saturday, May 3rd, and we can’t wait to see you and an adventurous crowd of fellow trail runners for 5K or 10K of flowy, fun, forest covered single-track with plenty of hairpin turns and berms. It’s going to be an awesome day!
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 email on Friday morning with reminders/updates.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, 5/3/25 (Race Day!)
Lake Crabtree County Park: 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560
- 6:45am – 8:15am: Check-in/Packet Pick-up
- 7:50am: Pre-Race Brief (10K)
- 8:00am: Race Start (10K)
- 8:20am: Pre-Race Brief (5K)
- 8:30am: Race Start (5K)
- 8:45am – 10:30am: Post-race Food/Beverage
- 9:30am: FREE Kids ‘Race for Treasure’ (kids 11-U)
- 9:45am: Awards and Coastal Credit Union donation to Meals on Wheels
- 10:00am: Contests and Giveaways
Race Day Weather: As of Tuesday, April 29 @ 2pm, race morning weather is looking nice, with partly cloudy skies, light winds, and temps ranging from the mid 60s in the early morning to the low 70s by awards. Showers may arrive in the afternoon on Saturday but as of now, it looks like the race will precede wet weather. I will include the latest race day forecast in the email I send on Friday morning.
Course Conditions: I was at the park yesterday (Monday, 4/28) and the trails were looking good – dry and hard-packed, with good trail visibility. The forecast is calling for mostly dry conditions all week, with a few afternoon storms on Wed and possibly on Friday. It has been pretty dry lately, so any rain the park receives should soak in nicely. An update on course conditions will be included in the Friday morning email.
Start List: CLICK HERE to view the list of registered racers.
Check-in/Packet Pick-up: Check-in will be open from 6:45am-8:15am on race morning 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. We recommend arriving 45-60 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 any rains we may get this week, then we will 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 provide an update on parking in the email I send on Friday morning.
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 7:50am for the 10K and 8:20am 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 8am SHARP. The 5K will begin at 8:30am SHARP.
Course Description: 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, crossing 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 aid station 1 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 minimally 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 courses, 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, perfect for finding your pace/spot within the field of runners. 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. The 5K and 10K courses 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 throw the cup in the trash bag (or at least near 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.
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 tell your spectator that dogs are not permitted 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!
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, 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 Results QR code posted near the big tent.
Recovery/First Aid: Basic first aid will be available at all aid stations, and more complete first aid will be available at the finish.
Post-Race Massage: The good folks from Myology Sports Massage will be at the race offering up free 5-10 min. post-race sport massages – NICE! Sign up at their tent. Providing a wide range of sports massage services in Wake County, Myology helps improve your mobility, range of motion, and aids in muscle recovery so you can perform your best. THANK YOU to Myology for generously contributing their expert sports massage services!
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 9:30am, 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 grassy lakeside lawn next to 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 9:45am. 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.
Giveaways and Contests: We have some cool stuff to give away at the race, including Goodr sunglasses, Fleet Feet gift certs, and Roadless Races swag. After the awards, stick around for your chance to win! Some of the prizes will be won during our contests, and after the contests, we will randomly giveaway the rest of the sweet stuff. FYI – the contests are quick and all contest participants will receive an item of swag.
- Cornhole Contest – 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.
- Sprint Contest – Next up is the sprint, which is a new contest that should be good fun. Toe the line for a short out and back and let’s see who’s got the speed. The fastest M/F sprinters can choose their prize.
- Push Up Contest – And finally, the push up contest where the top M/F participants left ‘standing’ at the end can select a prize of their choosing.
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 Raleigh/Morrisville 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 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, Fleet Feet – Raleigh/Morrisville, and Myology Sports Massage.
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
