After months and months of negotiating for approval to run through Chapel Hill and Carrboro, Endurance Magazine finally got permission to host the inaugural Tarheel 10-Miler, a 10-mile running event, benefiting the YMCA Strong Kids Foundation. Securing this race was quite a coup (Congrats, Steve, Thys and the rest of the staff!!), and the 10-mile race will join the Franklin 5000, which will be the second year that Endurance Magazine has hosted a 5K race down Franklin Street, now open for registration. By the way, last year’s race was too fun – Rachel came out to photograph Erica Dempsey (whose wedding she was photographing later that day), as she zoomed through the course, along with some bridesmaids!!! The whole wedding party ended up getting awards 🙂 I am a big fan of the YMCA Strong Kids Foundation for a few reasons: 1. The goal of the organization is to enrich the lives of kids in the community and to provide a safe and nurturing environment for them – they also create scholarships for after-school programs for families in need in the community. 2. They have a goal of reaching $45,000, and these events are the catalyst for kicking off their annual campaign. 3. My good friends Leslie & Hubert Davis have worked HARD to bring more attention to this organization, and we love to help out people who put in great effort for awesome causes. I truly love how many people do!! The 5K race runs straight down Franklin Street, a very cool, scenic course that ends in the middle of downtown Franklin Street. The 10-mile course is, uh, longer. It winds around the entirety of downtown Chapel Hill and all of Carrboro, and it includes nice rolling stretches around the entire area, to finish at the corner of Church & Franklin Streets. If you’re looking to travel to Chapel Hill for the races, check out the Franklin St. Hotel downtown for the ability to take a cool stroll to and from the race… Both events take place on Saturday April 26th at 7:30am!!! Endurance Magazine is also giving away three limited edition iPod shuffles – anyone who signs up by March 8th is automatically entered to win. Go here to register , and I’ll see you on the course 🙂
