2020 Virtual Pop Up Miles series kicks off Tuesday

The sixth season of the Pop Up Miles series is going to look a little different this year. In years past, we’ve traveled around the greater Raleigh area and run fast miles on local tracks. COVID has made this a little trickier this year, so we’re taking to the roads! Similar to the Tour de Walter, which is hosted each July, the 2020 Pop Up Miles series will be a virtual challenge. But unlike most virtual races, the courses are real, and are powered by Strava.

All Pop Up Miles events are free to attend and compete in.

Each week, we will spray chalk the start and the finish lines. As long as you are running with GPS enabled device, or the Strava App, your time will start at the starting line and will finish (and register) at the finish line. We will keep full standings, that will update each Sunday. Competitors will from have Tuesday to Saturday to run the course of the week (as many times as they wish).

Worried about technology? All courses have been professionally measured to USATF standards by Brad Smythe at Clockwork Race Timing.

But what about the Championship? It will be tough to have a true “race” until we enter Phase 3 and COVID restrictions have loosened, but we will play it by ear. If we can have a true race, each weeks Male and Female winners will automatically qualify, as well as the next 10 fastest times. Those runners will be deemed “All Raleigh Milers” at the end of the series, and will earn a special T-Shirt. All participants that complete all five weeks will earn a Pop Up Miles koozie.

Details for each weeks race will be release each Saturday at SirWalterRunning.com and via the Sir Walter Running Email List.

Pop Up Miles are directed and promoted by Sir Walter Running, a Raleigh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to “bring the Greater Raleigh running community together through innovation, activation, and inclusivity.” Sir Walter Running is a USATF club that also produces the Sir Walter Miler, the Raleigh Half Marathon, the Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile, Pop Up Cross Country at Dix Park, a series of Strava Challenges, including the Tour de Walter, and the Summer of Miles podcast.

2020 Schedule

Week 1 – Tuesday, June 2 – The Brind’A-MILE (Results)
Week 2 – Tuesday, June 9 – Planet of the Oaks Mile (Results)
Week 3 – Tuesday, June 16 – Kimbrough Speed Loop Mile (Results)
Week 4 – Tuesday, June 23 – Walnut Creek Wolfpack Mile (Results)

Week 1 Details

Name: The Brind’A-MILE – In honor of current Carolina Hurricanes Head Coach, Rod Brind’Amour, who “famously” said running and hockey can sometimes mix.

Where: Around the PNC Center

When: You can run anytime starting Tuesday, June 2 through Saturday, June 6. We will have the Start and Finish Lines spray chalked late Monday/early Tuesday. You can run as many times as you wish.

RSVP: Facebook Event Page

Parking: There’s a parking lot at the corner of E. Stephen Stroud Way and Peter Karmanos Jr Drive (right off Edwards Mill Drive)

Start: At the Stop Sign on Stephen Stroud Way. This will be spray chalked starting Tuesday. The only turn is left on Peter Karmanos Jr Drive, after you pass the parking lots.