Events
The Annual Trek for CHEC 2024 Run/Walk is CANCELLED
After much consideration, we have decided to cancel our annual Trek for CHEC 10K / 5K / 1 Mile Fun Walk, scheduled to be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
An unusually wet January has led to significant degradation of the state of our hiking trails and surrounding areas. Since we cannot guarantee that the preserve will improve sufficiently by February 3rd, we feel that the decision to call off the race is in everyone’s best interest.
We will begin the process of refunding payments soon.. Please be patient with us as we navigate this process.
We love Trek for CHEC. We wish to thank everyone – first-timers and those of you who return year after year for this unique adventure – for supporting us. We hope to see you all next year!
Here Are Your Options:
Place
Punta Gorda, FL US 33955
Description
Looking forward to seeing you all on Race Day!
Request you arrive no earlier than 7:00 a.m. to enable us to get set up. Staff or volunteers will be available to assist you with parking when you arrive.
Early packet/swag bag pickup and check-in will be available on Thursday, February 1st, and Friday, February 2nd, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Administration Building at 10941 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda 33955. We encourage as many participants as possible to pick up/check in early to help alleviate backlog/long lines on the day of the race. Bibs and t-shirts, as previously advertised, will be included.
Day-of registration is available at this location. Although there will be paper registration forms handy, the preferred way to register and pay will be via QR code provided by Beach Bum Timing, so please bring your smartphone for scanning purposes. Swag bags will be attainable for day-of registrants on an as-available basis.
1 Mile Fun Walkers will receive their participant ribbons when they check in on the day of the race.
Tickets for coffee ($1.00), a full pancake breakfast (pancake stack and coffee - $5.00) and the Fabulous Door Prize will be available for purchase.
For all payments, cash in small bills, or credit cards, are greatly appreciated.
See you all soon!
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We welcome all runners & walkers to our fifth annual Trek for CHEC event on Saturday, February 3, 2024. This event will feature competitive runs and a fun walk for people of all ages. There will be a Fabulous Door Prize raffle and more! CHEC's mission is to build awareness and encourage conservation of our area’s rich natural resources while protecting the environment. Proceeds will help further environmental educational programs for children and adults. We hope to see you there!
The first event is a 10K competitive run. The second event is a 5K competitive run for adults and young adults. The third event is a 1 mile fun walk for all ages; children under 6 walk free accompanied by a paid adult. The first event begins at 8:00 a.m. Several (trail) routes will be used at staggered times – see our trail maps for details. Trail routes are subject to change.
There will be two water stations. We encourage everyone to bring their own water bottles if feasible, and to fill them before starting their event.
SORRY - No Refunds or Rain Date!
Race Contact Info
Additional Information for Participants
Arrival / Parking: Participants will park at the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) at 10941 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33955. At the corner of US-41 South and Burnt Store Road, bear right onto Burnt Store Road. Travel approximately 1-1/4 miles to CHEC, on your right. There is no right-turn lane; you will make a sharp right directly from Burnt Store Road into CHEC. Pass through the open gates. Drive down the driveway. You will be directed to park by a volunteer.
Running/Walking Conditions: CHEC is a nature park located on a State Buffer Preserve. It has hiking trails in natural surroundings that offer a view of the native Florida habitat. The Caniff Welcome Center overlooks an upland ecosystem, including a pond that is home to alligators, soft-shelled turtles, and fish. The trails are maintained but preserved in their natural state. You may find uneven surfaces, grass, leaves, branches, roots, wet spots and other elements typical of this type of environment. Recent rains and other naturally-occurring phenomena may render portions of the trails wet and muddy. We highly encourage appropriate footwear and safety awareness.
For Your Convenience - at the site and on the trails: Water stations will be available. Recycle bins and trash bins will be strategically placed. We encourage everyone to use these. Please do not drop trash on the trails. Signs and volunteers will be available on the trails to assist you. Trail signs are color-coded to reduce confusion.
Additional Event Details: -- Performance T-shirts guaranteed for all 10K and 5K competitive run participants registered prior to January 17, 2024. -- Male/female Overall, Youth, Master, Grand Master, Senior Grand Master and Veteran trophies for winners, medals for 1st through 3rd placements in age groups of 10 (10-19, 20-29, 30-39, etc.), & ribbons for the 1 mile fun walkers. -- Enter to win the Fabulous Door Prize raffle. -- Last-minute registration for these events is available on-site, day-of, at this location. -- No refunds! No rain date!
Sponsorship Opportunities
There are a number of sponsorship opportunities available for this event. Simply choose a tier level (only one sponsor will be accepted for each "exclusive" and "fabulous door prize" category; multiples for remaining categories), mail us a check and email us your high-resolution logo, if applicable. That's all there is to it!
Each level has benefits, which will be made available to you even if you are not able to participate on-site, the day of the race. We thank you for your consideration and hope to see you at Trek for CHEC!
10K Trail Route Map
See trail map marked 10K for run route.
5K Trail Route Map
See trail map marked 5K for run route.
1 Mile Trail Route Map
The 1 Mile walk route begins at the circular driveway halfway point (marked by a STOP sign). Walkers will follow the Eagle Point Trail (at the top of the map) "backward", one time around, to completion.
Water Stations Route Map
There will be two water stations. We encourage race participants to bring their own water bottles, filled, or to be filled, to ensure proper hydration.
Trophies, medals, ribbons and t-shirts
Trophies for 10K and 5K Overall, Youth, Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Grand Masters and Veterans. 10K and 5K 1st, 2nd and 3rd place placement medals in age group categories of 10 (beginning with age group 10 - 19 years, then 20 - 29; 30 - 39, etc.), through 80+. Ribbons for every 1 mile fun walk finisher. T-shirts for all 10K and 5K competitive racers registered by COB January 17, 2024. Additional t-shirts may be available, but are not guaranteed.
Directions
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Race Participant Survey
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