Upgrade to Trails

Overview

Welcome to the 22nd Annual Run at the Rock!  Since 2005, trail runners from across the region have challenged themselves on the beautiful and demanding trails of Cedarock Park.  Run 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon on awesome courses that include twisty single-track and smooth, flowing equestrian trails. After finishing the race, don your race hoodie (included with registration) and enjoy hot soup, great music, a free kids race, and a fun awards ceremony with lots of giveaways. 

Cedarock Park is located in Burlington, NC and is an easy drive from Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem.  See you in December for an awesome day of trail running action.

Course Maps and Description

5K Run at the Rock Course Description

The 5K is perfect for families with kids (aged 6+) and for those looking to get a small taste of trail running. The 5K course starts with .6 mile of wide-open pavement, gravel, paved trails, followed by 2 miles of single-track, then .5 miles of double track and wide open grassy areas.  The exact distance is 3.1 miles, with an elevation gain of 217’.  While there are some hills, rocks, and roots along the course, the majority of the terrain is not overly technical.  Run at the Rock 5K Technical Terrain Course Rating:  Overall 2+ out of 5 – (.9M of EASIEST/EASY, 2.4M of MODERATE) (This is a twisty, fun, and fast course)

10K Run at the Rock Course Description

The one-loop 10K+ race course is super-fun and challenging loop that includes most of the awesome trails at Cedarock.  It starts with .6 mile of wide-open pavement, gravel, and paved trails, followed by 1.4 miles of single-track, 3.6 miles of equestrian trails, then .9 miles of single-track, double-track, and wide open grassy areas.   This course includes plenty of short, punchy hill climbs (and descents).  While there are some rocks and roots along the course, the majority of the terrain is not overly technical.  The exact distance is 6.4 miles, with an elevation gain of 508’. Run at the Rock 10K Technical Terrain Course Rating:  Overall 3 out of 5 – (.9M of EASIEST/EASY, 5.5M of MODERATE) (An excellent, challenging, and very ‘runnable’ course)

Half Marathon Run at the Rock Course Description

The two-lap Half Marathon race course is super-fun and challenging and includes most of the awesome trails at Cedarock.  The first lap starts with .6 mile of wide-open pavement, gravel, and paved trails, followed by 1.4 miles of single-track, 3.6 miles of equestrian trails, then .9 miles of single-track, double-track, and wide open grassy areas.   After the first lap, racers will go through timing to get their split time and then complete one more lap.  This course includes plenty of short, punchy hill climbs (and descents).  While there are some rocks and roots along the course, the majority of the terrain is not overly technical.  The exact distance is 13.1 miles, with an elevation gain of 999’. Run at the Rock 10K Technical Terrain Course Rating:  Overall 3 out of 5 – (1.8M of EASIEST/EASY, 11.3M of MODERATE) (Basically two loops of the 10K, with a little extra added. An excellent, challenging, and very ‘runnable’ course)    

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

Registration Fees

• 5K: $55 by 1/11, $60 by 9/12, $65 by 11/12, $70 by 12/11, $75 on race day
• 10K: $65 by 1/11, $70 by 9/12, $75 by 11/12, $80 by 12/11, $85 on race day
• Half Marathon: $75 by 1/11, $80 by 9/12, $85 by 11/12, $90 by 12/11, $95 on race day
• Registration fees are $5 lower for Youth 17-U and Seniors 65+

Expect Excellence. Your Registration Fee Includes:

• Awesome Hoodie.  Warm, soft, and comfy – you’re going to love it.
• Beautiful finisher medal.
• Superbly marked courses (you won’t get lost)
• Frequent and well-stocked aid stations every 1-2 miles along the course
• Exciting atmosphere with great music
• Excellent volunteer support
• Medical support
• Chip timing – accurate and timely posting of results
• HOT SOUP – a tradition that racers have loved for years. Other food items include fresh fruit, hummus/veggies, bagels/peanut butter, trail bars, chips, cookies, and a crowd favorite, little cups of M&Ms.  Beverages include water, Gatorade, soft drinks, Honest Kids juice, and Athletic Brewing Company non-alcoholic beer.
• FREE Kid’s 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 (a professional photographer will be at the race)

Schedule of Events

Saturday, December 12, 2026 (Race Day)

Location: Cedarock Park – 4242 R. Dean Coleman Rd, Burlington, NC 27215

• 7:30am:  Check-in / Packet Pick-Up Opens
• 8:50am:  10K and Half Marathon Pre-Race Brief / Self Select Start Wave
• 9am:  10K and Half Marathon Staggered Starts
  • 9:00am:  Wave 1 (sub 10 min/mile)
  • 9:02am:  Wave 2 (10-13 min/mile)
  • 9:04am:  Wave 2 (13+ min/mile)
• 9:20am:  5K Pre-Race Brief / Self Select Start Wave
• 9:30am:  5K Start
  • 9:30am:  Wave 1 (sub 10 min/mile)
  • 9:32am:  Wave 2 (10-13 min/mile)
  • 9:34am:  Wave 3 (13+ min/mile)
• 9:45am-12pm:  Post-race Food (including HOT soup)
• 10:45am:  Awards/contests/giveaways (5K/10K)
• 11:15am:  FREE Kid’s ‘race for treasure’ (Kids under 11)
• 12:00pm:  Awards/contests/giveaways (Half Marathon)

FREE Kids Race for Treasure

At 11:15am, kids 11-under are invited to participate in the FREE Kid’s Race for Treasure.  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 (3-U, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-11) and start each group separately on 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, Age Groups, Contests, and Giveaways

All finishers will receive a medal.  Awards (1st-5th place tumblers) and prizes (Fleet Feet gift certificates) for top five overall M/F competitors in each distance. Awards (1st-3rd place pint glasses) for the top three M/F competitors in each age group.  

Age groups for each distance: 13-Under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

Racers and volunteers are invited to join the contests – fun stuff such as push up, squat, 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. 

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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