Philosopher’s Way Trail Runs 10 Mile and 7K

For the in person event on Sunday April 28th, 2024

Shirt and bib pick up, times and locations

You will need to pick up your race shirt (if you registered before the shirt order was placed) and your race bib (if you are running the in-person event and wish to be timed in the race). You can do this either the day before the race or on race day prior to the race start (if you registered late then stop by our registration tent after your race to see if we have any extra shirts available for you). We will not be holding shirts for pickup at a later date so see us after the race and we might have an extra shirt laying around for you. Below are the locations and times.

Date: Saturday April 27th, 2024 

Times: 1:00-4:00 pm

Location: Bull City Running store (view on Google Maps) at: 

202 W North Carolina 54 #109, Durham, NC 27713 

(at SouthPoint Crossing) 

Make sure to check the address and go to the south Durham store as shown on the map and address above ***

Date: Sunday April 28th, 2024 (race day)

Times: 7:00-7:45 am

Location: Race headquarters (see notes above)

Directions to the race and parking

If you are driving, the parking is located off M.L.K. Jr. Blvd in Chapel Hill (use address 122 Municipal Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 in your map of choice) or visit https://www.trailheads.org/pwtr/pwtr-directions/ for more information. Turn onto Municipal Drive and then take your first left into the R12 parking lot.

More directions on our website at https://www.trailheads.org/pwtr/maps/.

Race headquarters and finish area 

We gather in the open field in the woods at the GPS coordinates below or link to the map. This is where participants will finish the race, where race announcements will be held, and where to find race information in general. Use the GPS coordinates below to find the race headquarters: 

35.9366877265206, -79.06833051230382 (view on Google Maps)

Race start times

*** 15 minutes prior to your race start, please attend the pre-race briefing at race headquarters (the open field where both races finish) for race announcements. ***

10 Mile Start: 8:00am 

7k Start: 8:30am

General schedule of events

10 miler

7:00 AM – runner check-in opens

7:50 AM – 10 mile runners gather at start for race briefing

8:00 AM – 10 mile start

10:00 AM – awards/prizes

7k

7:00 AM – runner check-in opens

8:20 AM – 7K runners gather at start for race briefing

8:30 AM – 7K start

10:00 AM – awards/prizes

Aid Stations and Finish

We are planning four aid stations along the course with water in case you need it (if you need anything fancy like gels and PB&J sandwiches, then pack them for the run). Again, please carry a bottle, collapsible cup, or hydration pack since we are encouraging you to bring your own hydration and food as needed. At the finish area we plan to have bagels, fruit, water and coffee.

Course Maps and Markings

We have several race map resources at https://www.trailheads.org/pwtr/maps/. Both the 7k and 10 mile courses begin at the Pumpkin Loop gate, adjacent to the parking lot (also known as the Locust Lot, for the Locust trees that grow there) shown here on a map 🗺️ and finish at race headquarters (out in the open field to the left, approximately 400 ft from the start).

Directional signs

We have the courses marked with directional signs (mainly at major intersections) like the ones shown below. 7k course directions on the left side (7 with the red dot) and 10 mile course directions (10 with the blue dot) on the right side. Arrows are attached above the routes indicating the direction you will be running after passing the sign.

Flags

We will have the course also marked with flags which will be much more frequent than the signs. Especially pay attention to the flags at intersections. There are usually more flags at intersecting trails to point the way.

The 10 mile course will have blue flags.

The 7k course will have a mix of pink and orange flags.

In the Event of Emergency – Dial 911

There will be volunteers on the course during the race. If there is an emergency, call 911. Also, you’ll see round signs on trees every so often. These are not mile markers, but points associated with GPS coordinates. If an emergency extraction is required, you would report the nearest marker during your 911 call, ie., “I’m at green 15 in Carolina North Forest”. Please do not call 911 for directions. If you feel “lost” retrace your steps and look for a marker to determine your course. If you’re worried that you can’t pick up the course, walk to one of the Forest roads and walk/run back to the parking lot. Feel free to ask for directions. Don’t panic. Wayfinding is part of trail running, and because you might not know exactly where you are, that doesn’t mean that you are lost.

If you need to leave the course before you reach the finish line, please let a volunteer know you are dropping out of the race and tell them your bib number. We have volunteers ‘sweep’ the course (meaning, they are looking to see if a participant is still out walking the course), but if we do not know you have dropped out of the race then we will worry about you.