Little River Regional Park Manager, Mike DiFabio, Squonk, and the TrailHeads at the Open Eye Cafe, Saturday, 2/14/09

February 14, 2009

To our Friends at Little River Regional Park,

On January 10th this year nearly three hundred and eighty runners joined together for the fourth annual Little River Trail Runs. Basically, things went smoothly, and since the race I’ve reflected on how the event is “maturing” and, if so, just what that might mean. A pattern has been established, not only in the sequence of an annual event, but also in recognizing that there is a place, beyond hearth and home, where we can gather and run and chat and listen and wail and laugh and play, beside a river, along trails, through a forest, even in Winter. And while I look forward to the “Fifth Annual” and beyond, it is with certain determination that I hold fresh the memories from the previous years, including, most vividly, the first.

Is the spirit of that inaugural running still alive? Yes! I believe it is, for, despite the strands of millions of years of genetic memory that whispered to us, saying “…it’s cold, huddle up, quiet down and be still,” there still were runners celebrating the season along a squiggly set of trails, invoking the spirits beneath, throughout and far above the Earth. At least a hundred runners had never been to the park prior to the race, and easily half that number had never raced on single-track, in any season of their lives.

Throughout the process, I was reminded what a group effort this is, from the park’s willingness to let us set up the play date, to the work and energy of the many volunteers and friends, and the unyielding generosity of our sponsors. We tweaked the course, adding sections along the rocky and scenic South Fork loop. Because there were new courses – a ten-mile distance and a 7K – there are new course records. The trail network allows for flexibility and offers a chance to break patterns and to encounter new intersections of expectation and discovery. We are, then, fortunate to have such an opportunity to grow, even while the surrounding forest is seasonally at rest.

Out of consideration for the forest and Little River, over eight hundred dollars were collected from the runners in voluntary contributions to offset the race’s carbon footprint. These contributions have allowed us to purchase roughly 2.5 times the estimated offsets required for a carbon neutral event. The donations are going to NCGREENPOWER.ORG and a certificate documenting the contribution will soon be mailed to the park under separate cover.

And it is with humble glee that we present Little River Regional Park with a check for $5,000, contributed for your efforts to continue doing the good work you do, on behalf of the trails, the forest, the river, and the many creatures that hold them so dear. We look forward to next year, and the many visits between now and then.

Many many thanks!

Squonk & The TrailHeads

PS: Holler if you need anything throughout the year! (Including any work required on Mr. Finley’s field – what a wonderful neighbor!)

Ding & Spinz: TrailHeads style police.

Photos by Sidetrack. THANKS SIDETRACK!

Photos by Edge. THANKS EDGE!

Photos by Taz. THANKS TAZ!

[Now that's style!]

[Heading toward the finish line]

[Gilly and Blade choke the results out of their timing system]

Thank you runners, volunteers, sponsors, and Mr. Finley who let us park in his field!!

Results are posted HERE

Photos are being rounded up.

Info on the carbon offset contribution and LRRP donation forthcoming in a couple of weeks!

Keep after it!

And Save the date: 5/2/09 - Philosopher's Way Trail Runs in Carrboro!

Don't Hibernate! CELEBRATE!

12.10.08 Update: Registration is now closed. We have reached race capacity. Thank you! Thank you!

Course Tours: Sunday, 12.14.08, 1PM Little River Regional Park.

Trail Running Clinic, Wednesday, 12.17.08, 7:30PM Open Eye Cafe' (sideroom)

Over 100 of you responded positively to our race t-Shirt survey. So, yes, we will do a technical, wicking shirt for the race as a low cost, optional purchase. See race page for more details!

Race Info Page.

Little River Trail Run: Saturday, 1.10.09, 9:00 a.m. Little River Regional Park.

10 Mile and 7K Distances

Check out the videos and photos from 2008!

We look forward to seeing you "out there!"