Birds of a Feather Trail Trot

Sprawling over 900 acres and located on the south side of Chapel Hill, NC, Briar Chapel is a green community that boasts a vast network of forested hiking and mountain biking trails.  The 1.5 mile fun run course includes some of the most mellow trails at Briar Chapel and is the perfect distance/terrain for the whole family.  Including a mixture of undulating double-track dirt trails and flowy single-track with some roots, rocks, and short hill climbs, the 5K course offers a super-fun challenge for both newbies and trail veterans alike.  Perfect for separating the field of runners, both courses start with just under half mile of downhill pavement running.  The 5K course has 217' of elevation gain and measures 3.4 miles (5.4K).  The 1.5 mile course has 109' of elevation gain and measures 1.55 miles.  Both courses may be run or walked.  

For an interactive course details and elevation profiles, click on the links below:

1.5 Mile Fun Run Course
5K Course

• Limited race entry to provide an intimate and friendly race experience and to prevent overcrowding on the trails.
• 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. Comes in men’s, women’s, and youth sizes (see link for sizing/specs).  We placed the tee order on 11/10/23.  We ordered extras in all sizes but those quantities are limited.  If your size shows 'sold out' when registering, you can choose a vintage tee in your size. 
• Exciting atmosphere with great music
• Excellent volunteer support
• Well-stocked aid stations (one on 5K course, aid at finish for both 5K and 1.5M)
• Medical support
• Chip timing for 5K – accurate and timely posting of results.  
• Post-race PIE! 
• FREE Kids Race for Treasure (see below for details)
• Awards and giveaways (see below for details)
• FREE photo downloads post-race (a professional photographer will be at the race)
• Lower pricing for Youth 6-17 and Seniors 65+.  Free entry into the 1.5M for kids 5-U (no t-shirt).

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

WEDNESDAY, 11/22/23 (Early Check-in - OPTIONAL, but encouraged)

• 5pm-7pm:  Early Check-in / Packet Pick-up @ Great Meadow Park Pavilion

THANKSGIVING DAY, THURSDAY, 11/23/23 (Race Day)

• 7:15am-8:30am:  Check-in / Packet Pick-up (check-in only if you did not pick up your packet on Wed)
• 8:20am:  5K Pre-Race Brief
• 8:30am:  5K Start
• 8:40am: 1.5M Fun Run Brief
• 8:50am:  1.5M Fun Run Start
• 9am-10am:  PIE, music, awards
• 9:30am:  FREE Kids Race for Treasure (kids 11-U)
• 9:45am:  Awards, Contests, and Giveaways

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.  

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 6-17 and senior pricing to make it just a little easier to Run with Your Flock.   
• Kids 5-U may participate for FREE in the 1.5 mile fun run, under the supervision/consent of their parent/guardian (registration is required for parent and child).  All kids 5-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 5-U child, extra t-shirts will be available for purchase during online registration.  
• For safety reasons, the minimum age for the 5K is 6 years old.  Exceptions will be made if you have a rock star 5-U trail runner (please email race director for special permission - info@roadlessraces.com)
• We have added additional 5K age group awards for the kids.  Our normal 13-U age group has been broken up to 6-8, 9-10, and 11-13. 
• The FREE Kids Race for Treasure starts at 9:30am.  ALL KIDS 11-U (including those that completed the 1.5 mile fun run or the 5K) are invited to participate.
• Strollers that are appropriate for the trail ARE PERMITTED on the 1.5 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 course because there are a few root and rock filled sections on the 5K that will be frustrating (and potentially dangerous) to navigate.
• 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 11/21/23) by going to your runsignup account, selecting 'Transfer to Someone Else' in the menu, and following the instructions.

At 9:30am, 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!    

Prizes and awards for top five overall M/F 5K competitors. Awards for the top three M/F 5K competitors in each age group.

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

We will randomly select winners of some great giveaways – includes gift certificates, running gear, and Roadless Races merchandise.  Racers and volunteers are eligible to win.

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

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.     

Sprawling over 900 acres on the south side of Chapel Hill, NC, Briar Chapel is a green community that boasts a vast network of forested hiking and mountain biking trails. In addition to fantastic trails, 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)