There’s a run for everyone this weekend in North Carolina: for the novice, the mountain distance runner, the hash harrier — even the runner who doesn’t like to run.
Coast | Coastal Plain
Since the advent of hashing in the ’90s (yes, the concept originated with bored British offers and expats in Kuala Lumpur in the late 1930s), we’ve been intrigued by how it works to mix running with beer. We’re even more intrigued when the mix is part of a race conducted in temperatures approaching 90.
Thus, we’re most intrigued by Saturday’s Copperhead 20K Relay at the Poplar Grove Plantation in Wilmington. Run a lap on the 5K loop trail, drink a 12-ounce beer (optional, but you get a two-minute time deduction), run another lap. Four laps, four beers. Again, in temperatures warming to 90. Relay teams of up to four are allowed (your baton is your beer).
Why Copperhead? Perhaps because if you get bit with 48 ounces of beer in you, the snake will be more affected than you.
Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 27, 6 p.m., Poplar Grove Historic Plantation, Wilmington. More info here.
Saturday forecast: High in mid 80s under mostly sunny skies.
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Looking ahead: Pier-2-Pier Open Water Swim, Sunday, Sept. 10, Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, Wrightsville Beach. More info here.
Piedmont
The Kirkwood 5K: now, here’s a 5K for all. First, the race is on a “flat course … nestled in the cozy, neighborhood streets of Kirkwood and promises to be a FAST, easy, and refreshing 5K.” If you race a fair amount but haven’t had a PR recently, this race is for you. If you have a disdain for hills, this race is for you. If you want to run with your kids, if you like to check out new neighborhoods, if you don’t like to run, period, this race is for you.
Another reason to run? Proceeds benefit BackPack Beginnings, “a local, 100% volunteer non-profit organization founded to provide children in need with food, comfort items and other basic necessities through the use of backpacks.”
Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m., Kirkwood Neighborhood is located in Greensboro between Cornwallis, Lawndale and Cone. $15-$40. More info here.
Saturday forecast: Temperature of 81 under mostly sunny skies at race time.
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Looking ahead: Triathlong at Ramseur Lake, Ramseur, Saturday, Sept. 17. More info here.
Mountains
Saturday, it’s Round 2 of the High Country Triple Crown race series: the High Country Half Marathon. The half begins at Appalachian State University’s Kidd Brewer Stadium and winds its way to Blowing Rock, to the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve. It’s a winding, up-and-down course that spends a bit of time along Winkler’s Creek. (Spoiler alert: the finish is downhill!)
Aid stations along the way (miles 1.8, 4.5, 8, 10 and 12) with water and Gatorade.
Logistics: Saturday, 7:30 a.m., Kidd Brewer Stadium, Appalachian State University. $75. More info here.
Saturday forecast: 63 under mostly sunny skies at the start.
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Looking ahead: Catawba RiverFest and Triathlon, Saturday, Sept. 17, Lake James State Park, Nebo. More info here.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.
Coast
CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.
Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of coastal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.
Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.
NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.
North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).
This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).
Mountains
Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.
Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.
The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.
Piedmont
Charlotte
Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running
Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triad
GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.
Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triangle
Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.
Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Statewide
Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.
Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.
North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”
National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.
U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.
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