9 reasons to run the 9th Ales for Trails 5K

Join us Sunday, October 13 for the ninth annual Ales for Trails 5K, benefitting the nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance. Secure your spot on the starting line by Sept. 15 for early-bird rates: greenway.org/alesfortrails. 

1. Run the East Coast Greenway: The 5K course features Durham’s Ellerbe Creek Trail, 1.5 miles of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway. The Triangle is incredibly fortunate to have a 70-mile stretch of nearly continuous greenways from Durham to Clayton, which marks the longest protected stretch of the entire 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway route in a metropolitan area; it's a model that other more urban areas along our route strive for and equals $90 million in annual benefits to the Triangle.

2. Exclusive custom pint glass: Finishers will be rewarded with a limited-edition Ales for Trails 5K pint glass featuring the always-fun event logo. How many of you have collected all eight thus far? And it will be filled with … 

3. Tasty beer from Fullsteam Brewery: Unofficially dubbed "Durham's Welcome Center," Fullsteam Brewery is popular with the Bull City's active community and serves as host for Bull City Running's weekly run club. Fullsteam’s mission is to craft distinctly Southern beer that celebrates the farm and food traditions of the American South. The brewery offers a number of year-round and seasonal offerings on tap, as well as a top-notch, Southern-inspired food menu. All race finishers 21-and-up will receive a free pint of Fullsteam beer. 

4. Treats for young runners: Youth “half pint” runners will be rewarded with a colorful East Coast Greenway 8 oz. silicon cup and delicious, locally sourced chocolate milk from Maple View Farm in Hillsborough at the finish line! 

5. Support a great cause: Proceeds from the Ales for Trails 5K benefit the Durham-based nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance. The Greenway is a walking and biking route stretching 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida, connecting the nation’s most populated corridor. The East Coast Greenway is designed to transform the 15 states and 450 communities it connects through active and healthy lifestyles, sustainable transportation, community engagement, climate resilience, tourism, and more. The Greenway offers a safe place for bicyclists, walkers, runners, and more — of all ages and abilities — to commute, exercise, and visit new destinations.

6. A fun, varied course: You’ll see a lot of Durham during the race. From Fullsteam Brewery, the racecourse winds through Old North Durham to Duke Park and on the East Coast Greenway along  Ellerbe Creek before finishing back at Fullsteam. Preview the race with a look at the course map. 

7. Experience downtown Durham: Come for the Ales for Trails 5K and make a day of it in Downtown Durham: “Downtown is full of one-of-a-kind shops, award-winning restaurants featuring locally sourced food and international cuisine, Broadway shows, arts, culture, music, sports and more for you to explore.”

8. Sweet swag for prizes: We’ll have great prizes on hand for the top three overall male and female finishers and top three masters male and female finishers, plus an award for the largest finishing team. All runners are eligible for amazing raffle prizes featuring running products and local goods from the likes of TriggerPoint, Durham Yoga Company and Ninth Street Bakery. 

9. It’s a family thing: The safe, fun course, Sunday afternoon start time, and post-race treats make this a great race for your whole household. We’re seeing younger and younger runners finish this run, and lots of happy 4-legged runners. We just ask runners with strollers and dogs to start in the back, for everyone’s safety.

Secure your spot on the starting line by Sept. 14 for early-bird rates: greenway.org/alesfortrails.