A: Roanoke Rapids is located in North Carolina about 10 miles over the Virginia border on I-95. It is easily reached and only 90 minutes from Richmond, Raleigh, Greenville, or Suffolk. The short drive sets us up for a large competitive field of runners.
Q: Where does the race start?
A: The race start is at Roanoke Rapids Lake Park. The address is 145 Oakwood Avenue, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870. Please plan to arrive early, and please carpool. Parking is VERY LIMITED. The first to arrive will be parked at the race start/finish area. Once these spots are filled, we will use an overflow lot that is .7 miles away. We will have two shuttle vans running to transport runners.
Q: Where can I pick up my race packet?
A: There are three chances to pick up your packet early.
- Friday: 11:30 am - 3:30 pm @ Halifax County Visitor's Center
- Friday: 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm @ Hilton Garden Inn
- Saturday: 6:30 am - 7:30 am @ Roanoke Rapids Lake Park
A: Yes. All finisher's will receive custom finisher's medals that are in the mold of the original Roanoke Navigation Company design.
Q: Can I walk this event?
A: Walkers are invited to participate in the 8k event. This will allow ample time for you to finish the event without the pressure of a cut-off time, and still allow you to experience the beauty of Roanoke Canal Trail.
Q: What time do the races start?
A: The half marathon will begin at 8:00 a.m. The 8k will begin at 8:30 a.m. We wanted each race to have their own start so runners are not crowded on the trail. This also prevents a large gap in between awards ceremonies after the race.
Q: Is there a cut of time?
A: Half Marathon runners should be able to finish the race in a 14:00 pace. This is a 3:03 half marathon time. Having a cut off time allows us to release the volunteers at a reasonable hour.
Q: Can I train on the Roanoke Canal Trail?
A: Absolutely. In fact we hope you will! The Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail invite you to come out often to prepare for the race, and see all that Roanoke Rapids has to offer. Once you run the trail once, you are sure to come back for more.
Q: Can I register the morning of the race?A: This depends. We are expecting a sell out, so registering on race day is a gamble. To ensure a safe and fun race for everyone involved the number of entries are limited. If you register after February 28th your shirt size will not be guaranteed. We anticipate this will be a popular event, so early registration is encouraged.
Q: Do the 8k and Half Marathon start together?
A: No. We want to ensure a clean start for both races. The Half Marathon will begin at 8:00 am, and the 8k will begin at 8:30 a.m. These start times should eliminate any overlap on the race course, allowing us to maximize the amount of runners we can accept.
Q: Will my GPS work on the Roanoke Canal Trail?
A: Not with great accuracy. Virtually the entire race you run beside trees, and frequently the path takes you through the woods. In addition there are many gentle zig zags, and a GPS may not accurately pick up every detail. We will have mile markers on the course. We recommend leaving the GPS at home.
Q: Will the course be clearly marked?
A: Yes. The out and back course will be clearly marked. In the few places where you make turns, or encounter traffic we will have volunteers to direct you where to go. We will also have mile makers for both races.
Q: What is the terrain like?
A: Don't be intimidated by the Roanoke Canal Trail. Although it is off road, the vast majority of the trail runs parallel to the Roanoke Canal and the Roanoke River. This makes for a trail that is primarily flat. There are some brief dips and "rollers" but no major climbs. The footing is great, even if you are brand new to trails. Don't be surprised if you set a half marathon PR on the course!
Q: Will there be food after the race?
A: Yes. Runners will have drinks and snacks after the finish provided by Halifax County.
Q: Where do I park?
A: Parking is limited, so we encourage carpooling. Runners will park in the Roanoke Rapids Lake parking lot, and on the road that leads to the lake. Volunteers will direct you when you arrive. Please follow their instructions. You are strongly encouraged to arrive early to help with the parking situation.
Q: Will there be starting corrals?
A: Yes. We will use a "mini wave start" to avoid congestion when entering the paths. We used this same approach in 2008 and it worked very well. It ensures a safe start and because of our chip timing, does not impact the results.
Q: What happens if it rains?
A: We will still run in the rain. If there is lightning we will delay the start. If we do not foresee a large enough time window to execute the race, the race will be canceled. A rain date will be considered, but it is not guaranteed. Rescheduling is very challenging because of several fixed costs that are non refundable.
Q: Will there be awards?A: Yes. We will have awards for the the first-third overall Male and Female, first place Master's winners, and first-third for age groups.
