Upgrade to Trails

Overview

Welcome to the 4th Annual Birds of a Feather Trail Trot, a Thanksgiving Day trail run at Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill, NC!  Gather your flock and start your holiday on the right foot. Choose from a mellow 2-mile course featuring paved paths, grass, and smooth trails, or take on the more rugged 5K — or the all-new 10K — with  plenty of roots, rocks, and rolling hills.  An untimed fun run option is available for the 2-mile course.

After your run, stick around for a slice of pie (yum!), a FREE kids race (kids 11-U), and an awards ceremony packed with fun contests and giveaways. Run with your flock and celebrate family, fitness, fun… and PIE!

Make it a Thanksgiving Weekend Double!  Run with your flock at the Birds of a Feather Trail Trot on Thanksgiving Day, then burn off that holiday feast two days later at the Leftovers Trail Run on Saturday, November 28.  Register for both events at the same time and receive 10% off each event (select Thanksgiving Weekend races during registration).

Course Maps and Description

2 Mile Course

The 2 mile course is perfect for the whole family.  The 2 mile starts with .79 mile of paved road and trail, perfect for separating the field or runners.  Following the paved section, runners will complete .71 mile of grass and non-technical double and single-track trails (the vast majority of which is smooth, with very few roots and rocks).  The course ends with .54 mile of sidewalks and paved trail heading to the finish line.  There is one aid station with water and Gatorade at 1.03 mile.  The exact distance is 2.04 miles, with an elevation gain of 134’.  The 2 mile course may be run or walked as a timed race or an untimed fun run.  Birds of a Feather 2 Mile Technical Terrain Course Rating:  Overall 1+ out of 5 – (1.69M of EASIEST and .35M of EASY) (This is a non-technical fun and very fast course)

5K Course

The 5K offers a super-fun, rugged challenge for both newbies and trail veterans alike.  The 5K course starts with .43 mile of wide-open pavement, perfect for separating the field or runners.  Following the paved section, runners will complete 2.79 miles of undulating double-track dirt trails and flowy single-track with plenty of roots, rocks, and short hill climbs.  The course ends with a .26 mile paved trail heading to the finish line.  There is one aid station with water and Gatorade at 1.8 miles. The exact distance is 3.38 miles (5.4K), with an elevation gain of 217’.   Birds of a Feather 5K Technical Terrain Course Rating:  Overall 3 out of 5 – (.69M of EASIEST/EASY and 2.79M of MODERATE) (This is a fun and challenging course)

10K Course

Newly added for 2026, the fun and challenging 10K course starts with .43 mile of wide-open pavement, perfect for separating the field or runners.  Following the paved section, runners will complete 5.54 miles of undulating double-track dirt trails and flowy single-track with plenty of roots, rocks, and short hill climbs.  The course ends with a .26 mile paved trail heading to the finish line.  There are three aid stations with water and Gatorade at 1.8M, 3.1M, and 5.0M. The exact distance is 6.2 miles (10K), with an elevation gain of 378’.  Birds of a Feather 10K Technical Terrain Course Rating:  Overall 3 out of 5 – (.69M of EASIEST/EASY and 5.54M of MODERATE) (This is a fun and challenging course)

Course Maps (click on map titles for course details and elevation profiles)

Registration Fees

Registration fees increase if/when we reach 200, 300, and 400 total runners. $5 increase on race day, if space is available. Max participation is 600. (SEE START LIST FOR CURRENTLY REGISTERED RUNNERS).

• 2 Mile Fun Run (untimed): $32 by 1/11/26 then $36 to 200, $38 to 300, $40 to 400, $43 to 600
• 2 Mile: $35 by 1/11/26 then $38 to 200, $40 to 300, $43 to 400, $45 to 600
• 5K: $38 by 1/11/26 then $40 to 200, $43 to 300, $45 to 400, $48 to 600
• 10K: $48 by 1/11/26 then $50 to 200, $53 to 300, $55 to 400, $58 to 600
• Registration fees are $2-$11 lower for Youth 17-U and Seniors 65+
• FREE entry for Youth 4-U (in 2 Mile Fun Run ONLY) (no tee)
• Register for both Thanksgiving Weekend Races at the same time (Birds of a Feather Trail Trot on 11/26 and the Leftovers Trail Run on 11/28) and receive 10% off each event. Select Thanksgiving Weekend Races bundle during registration.

Race Highlights. Registration Fee Includes:

• Limited race entry to provide an intimate and friendly race experience and to prevent overcrowding on the trails.  Each timed race is limited to 175 total racers.  The event is capped at 600 total participants across all four events.  
• Fun and challenging course design
• Professional race operations
• Superbly marked course – you won’t get lost
• Race tee that you’ll love and want to wear. It’s high-quality, super soft/comfy, and comes in men’s/unisex, women’s, and youth sizes (see link for color and sizing specs). Screen printed with vintage ink to give it an attractive, light, and subdued look. Pick up at check-in.  The 2025 tee shown.  2026 tee design coming soon. 
• Exciting atmosphere with great music
• Excellent volunteer support
• Well-stocked aid stations (three on 10K, one on 5K, one on the 2 mile).  There is also an aid station at the finish line.
• Medical support
• Chip timing – accurate and timely posting of results.  2 mile fun run is untimed.  
• Post-race PIE! 
• FREE Kids Race for Treasure (see below for details)
• Awards ceremony with fun contests and lots of giveaways (see below for details)
• FREE photo downloads post-race (professional photographers will be at the race)
• Lower pricing for Youth 5-17 and Seniors 65+.  Free entry into the 2M fun fun for kids 4-U (t-shirt not included).

Schedule of Events

STAGING AREA:  Great Meadow Park at Briar Chapel (161 Salt Cedar Ln, Chapel Hill, NC 27516)

WEDNESDAY, 11/25/26 (Early Check-In – OPTIONAL, but encouraged)

• 4pm-6pm:  Early Check-in / Packet Pick-up @ Great Meadow Park Pavilion

THANKSGIVING DAY, THURSDAY, 11/26/26 (Race Day)

• 7am-8:30am:  Check-in / Packet Pick-up (check-in only if you did not pick up your packet on Wed)
• 7:50am:  10K Race Brief at the start line
• 8:00am:  10K Start
• 8:10am:  5K Race Brief at the start line
• 8:20am:  5K Start
• 8:30am:  2M Race Brief at the start line
• 8:40am:  2M Start
• 8:50am:  2M Fun Run Start (untimed)
• 9am-10:15am:  PIE, music, awards, contests
• 9:30am:  FREE Kids Race for Treasure’ (kids 11-U) – Round One
• 9:45am:  Awards (timed races) / Donation to PORCH Briar Chapel
• 10am:  Contests / Giveaways
• 10:15am:  FREE Kids ‘Race for Treasure’ (kids 11-U) – Round Two for any kids that missed the first one

Charity Partner

PORCH Briar Chapel helps put food on the table of those in need in our community.  Many donations go to the CORA FOOD PANTRY which provides emergency food to individuals and families in Chatham County.  They also provide children who attend the Boys and Girls Club of Pittsboro with fresh produce and a bag of nonperishables on a monthly basis.  During registration, please consider donating to support their great work.  Roadless Races will match 10% of funds collected.  

PORCH Briar Chapel will also be at Birds of a Feather collecting cash and canned/boxed food donations.  Their greatest need for the holiday season is mac and cheese, rice, mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing, cornbread mix, fruit cups, canned veggies, pie/cookie/brownie mix, cinnamon, and any spices.  Please consider bringing an item to contribute. 

Thank you for supporting such a great cause.  

Run with Your Flock (Family Info)

Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks and celebrating with family and friends.  Run with Your Flock.  

Some helpful info for families:

• We are offering lower youth 5-17 and senior 65+ pricing to make it just a little easier to Run with Your Flock.   
• Kids 4-U may participate for FREE in the 2 mile fun run, under the supervision/consent of their parent/guardian (registration is required for parent and child).  All kids 4-U will receive a bib, but t-shirts are not included for the little ones. If you would like to purchase a tee for your 4-U child, extra t-shirts will be available for purchase during online registration until 11/10/26.    
• For safety reasons, the minimum age for the 2M race is 5 years old, 6 years old for the 5K, and 8 years old for the 10K.  Racers must be at least 10 years old to run unaccompanied.  Racers 8-9 MUST run WITH (alongside) a registered parent or guardian, unless approved by the race director (email info@roadlessraces.com to request approval).  Racers 7-U MUST run WITH (alongside) a registered parent or guardian.   
• We have added additional age group awards for the kids for both the 2M and 5K timed races.  Our normal 13-U age group has been broken up to 5-8 (2M) and 6-8 (5K), 9-10, and 11-13. 
• The FREE Kids Race for Treasure starts at 9:30am.  ALL KIDS 11-U (including those that completed the 2 mile or the 5K) are invited to participate.
• Strollers that are appropriate for the trail ARE PERMITTED on the 2 mile fun run. (such as a BOB stroller, for instance).  If using a stroller, PLEASE START AT THE BACK, behind the runners and walkers.
• Strollers ARE NOT PERMITTED on the 5K or 10K courses because there are some root and rock filled sections that will be frustrating (and potentially dangerous) to navigate.  Strollers are NOT PERMITTED in the 2 mile timed race.
• For the safety of all participants, pets are NOT PERMITTED on either course.
• PLEASE, DO NOT give your bib to someone else.  This will make the results, age group, and overall awards incorrect.  If you need to transfer your registration, you may do so prior to race day (by 11/24/26) by going to your runsignup account, selecting ‘Transfer to Someone Else’ in the menu, and following the instructions.

FREE Kids Race for Treasure

At 9:30am and 10:15am, kids 11-under are invited to participate in the FREE Kids Race for Treasure.  All kids are welcome to participate and parents are encouraged to line the race course to cheer them on.  Registration is not required for the kids race.  We will match kids in age groups (3-U, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-11) and start each group separately on a short out and back ‘race course’ 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, Contests, and Giveaways

Awards (1st-5th place tumblers) and prizes (Fleet Feet gift certificates) for top five overall M/F for the 2M, 5K, and 10K timed races.  Awards (1st-3rd place pint glasses) for the top three M/F 2M, 5K, and 10K timed race competitors in each age group.

Race age groups: 5-8 (2M), 6-8 (5K), 8-10 (10K), 9-10, 11-13, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

Runners and volunteers are invited to join the contests – fun stuff such as push-ups, squats, sprint, cornhole, rock/paper/scissors, etc, etc.  Contest winners receive NICE swag like Goodr sunglasses or race merchandise and ALL who participate receive an item of swag.  After the contests, we randomly select winners of the rest of the swag – more great stuff such as Goodr sunglasses, gift certificates, running gear, and Roadless Races merchandise. 

Anyone that wears a costume will receive an item of swag at the awards ceremony.

Create a Team – Fun with Family and Friends

Adventures are more fun with family and friends, so create a team and invite your crew to join you. Creating or joining a team is simple during or after registration. NOTE: This is not a relay so all team members will still be running their own race.

Parking and Staging @ Briar Chapel

Staging area at Briar Chapel’s Great Meadow Park in Chapel Hill, NC. Address: 161 Salt Cedar Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

In addition to fantastic trails at Briar Chapel, centrally located Great Meadow Park, with its beautiful lawn, stage, and pavilion, offers the perfect location to stage this event. Park on the neighborhood streets adjacent to Great Meadow Park (161 Salt Cedar Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27516). Overflow parking will be available at Woods Charter school about .3 miles from the staging area (160 Woodland Grove Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27516)

Race Results Photos

Venue

Rules and Policies

Rules:

• In-ear earbuds, headphones, and external speakers are not permitted in the race.  Bone conduction headsets are OK.
• Respect the environment.  No littering.
• Excellent sportsmanship is an expectation at our events. Respect other racers, volunteers, and race staff.  
• Follow the marked course and stay on designated trails. No shortcutting. 
• Please inform our timer if you drop out of the race.
• Bib numbers must be visible from the front at all times.
• PLEASE, DO NOT give your bib to someone else. This will make the results, age group, and overall awards incorrect. If you need to transfer your registration, you may do so up to 3 days prior to race day by going to your runsignup account, selecting ‘Transfer to Someone Else’ in the menu, and then following the instructions.
• Run at your pace.  There are no cut-off times.

Policies:

• Refunds: Receive a refund (minus $10 and the runsignup processing fee) if you cancel 21+ days before the race. No refunds within 21 days. To cancel, email request to info@roadlessraces.com
• Credits: Receive a coupon code for future Roadless Races if you cancel 3+ days BEFORE the race. Cancel 21+ days before race = 100% credit. Cancel 8-20 days before race = 75% credit. Cancel 3-7 days before race = 50% credit. To cancel, email request to info@roadlessraces.com.
• Transfer Your Entry to Someone Else: Transfers must be initiated online at least 3 days prior to the race. No race day transfers. We do not allow transfers to another race. To transfer to another racer, go to you profile on runsignup, and follow directions to ‘Transfer to Someone Else’.
• Change Distance: Distance changes must be initiated online at least 3 days prior to the race. No race day distance changes. To change distances, go to your profile on runsignup, and follow directions to ‘Transfer Event’.

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