About This Race
Chapel Hill's Birds of a Feather Trail Trot offers runners a distinctive Thanksgiving morning tradition with options for every level. The event features three distinct distances: a gentle 2-mile course mixing paved paths, grass, and smooth trails, plus a more challenging 5K and 10K that embrace the area's natural terrain with roots, rocks, and rolling hills. Scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving, this race embodies the community spirit of gathering before the holiday feast. The varied course options make it accessible to families and seasoned trail runners alike, while the early morning start time allows participants to begin their holiday celebrations with an active foundation. The race's playful name and Thanksgiving timing create a welcoming atmosphere that draws both locals and visitors looking for a healthy start to their holiday weekend. With 500 participants expected, the event maintains an intimate scale while offering the camaraderie of a well-attended community race.
The 2-mile option follows predominantly paved paths with sections of grass and well-maintained trails, making it suitable for runners seeking a gentler introduction to trail running or families running together. The 5K and 10K distances venture into more technical terrain, featuring the characteristic roots, rocks, and rolling hills of the North Carolina Piedmont region.
All courses start and finish in Chapel Hill, taking advantage of the area's mixed terrain that transitions from maintained paths to more rugged trail sections. The rolling topography provides variety without extreme elevation changes, though specific elevation data is not available for this race.
Practical Info
Late November in North Carolina typically brings cool morning temperatures in the 40-50°F range with potential for frost, ideal conditions for trail running.
RDU - Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Chapel Hill offers numerous hotels and the University of North Carolina campus provides additional lodging options, though booking early is recommended due to potential holiday travel.
Best For
Notable Features
The race's Thanksgiving timing creates a unique holiday tradition for the Chapel Hill running community. The multiple distance options, including an untimed 2-mile fun run, make it particularly welcoming to families and runners of varying abilities looking to start their holiday weekend actively.