Event Description

The Wilson Endurance Club will host a set of trail races on Saturday, November 7th (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.) at Lake Wilson Reservoir.

This is the (virtual) 2020 North Carolina Whirligig Festival's highlighted event for the day and will be bring runners from throughout the region. Our club has a long and successful history of hosting 5k and 10k races, with each one raising money for local charities.

The 2020 Lake Wilson Trail Races event is dedicated to the memory of Mindy Davis Pierce. A significant portion of race proceeds and all donations will be given to the charities she designated.  Please be sure to visit the race donation page, before completing registration or to just donate.

The single loop trail surface is comprised of hard-packed dirt with a bit of gravel or sand in a few spots.  The trail is basically flat around the entire lake, with one slight hill to climb.  There are no obstacles, major debris, or extreme wet/muddy areas to traverse - unless it rains during the race or rained heavily the day before.  Your running shoes will do... or bring along your light-duty trail shoes.

Taking advantage of Lake Wilson trail's 2 mile loop configuration, we are offering the following race distances:

• 1 loop fun run/walk
• 2 loop run for 5k+ distance runners
• 3 loop run for 10k distance runners
• 4 loop run for longer distance runners
• Unlimited loops for extreme distance runners - Who can run the most loops in under 4 hours?
  

With the ongoing pandemic, we have developed a plan to ensure social distancing guidelines will be in place for this event.  Here are several of the steps we have identified to ensure this trail race will be safe and successful:

1. Run the East, LLC will provide timing and race day management services.
2. Sign-up will be online only.
3. Packet pickup (t-shirt, race number bib, timing chip) will be conducted "drive-through" style upon arrival on race day, or the evening before in the Dunham Sports parking lot, from 5 to 7 pm.
4. Instead of a single "mass start", participants will start when ready - with staggered starts according to time of arrival.
   • 8:00 staggered start for unlimited loops
   • 8:30 to 10:30 start window for 3 and 4 loops
   • 9:00 to 11:00 start window for 1 and 2 loop(s)
5. No water/aid stations will be provided.  Runners will be required to bring their own hydration and nutrition needed before, during, and after the race.
6. No post-race award ceremony will be held.  Race winners will be notified individually and race results posted online.
7. With the Lake Wilson trail layout, we will only have a minimum number of volunteers.  The course will be well marked with large arrow signs, in the few spots where necessary.

 The Wilson Endurance Club is excited to host these trail runs at Lake Wilson and we look forward to making this a yearly event going forward...  See you on November 7th!