Coming hot on the heels of the 2020 Virtual Pop Up Miles series, the Tour de Walter enters its third season as the weekly virtual race series that happens each July. Unlike the Pop Up Miles series, the Tour de Walter will feature different distances, and terrains. Cumulative time will be calculated each week, as the Yellow Jersey is on the line!
All Tour de Walter 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 have from Monday 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.
Details for each weeks race will be release each Saturday at SirWalterRunning.com and via the Sir Walter Running Email List each Sunday night.
The Tour de Walter is 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 Miles, Pop Up Cross Country at Dix Park, a series of Strava Challenges, and the Summer of Miles podcast.
2020 Schedule
Week 1 – June 29 – July 4 – Merry Squirrel 3-Miler (Results)
Week 2 – July 6-11 – Sir Walter Summer Camp 4-Miler (Results)
Week 3 – July 13-18 – Raleigh Run “Thou” (Results)
Week 4 – July 20-25 – Raleigh’s Fastest 4k (Results)
What is it? A little bit of an homage to The Bear, the annual 5 mile climb up Grandfather Mountain; mixed with a little bit of Raleigh RunDown flair, as the last mile is a scorcher, dropping 153 feet from the 2-mile mark to the finish!
Why is it called the Merry Squirrel 3-Miler? This route will run along the House Creek Greenway by Meredith College (Merry), and you will likely see some squirrels (maybe the animal, and maybe some runners)!
Where do I park? There is a greenway parking lot located right by the start/finish at 3501 Horton St, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Where do I start? At the break in the pavement that says “S 0.0” The course has been marked to USATF Certification by Brad Smythe with Clockwork Race Timing (Thanks Brad!)
Where do I turn once I’ve started? Run up the hill and stay to the left at the Walnut Creek Trail sign. You’ll go towards Meredith and turn right before you get to the entrance road.
Where do I finish? Back where you started!
What do I do after I finish? May as well stop by Raleigh Brewing. We recommend the First Squeeze! Running on July 4th? The post-race possibilities are endless!
When can I run? Anytime between now and midnight on Saturday, July 4th. Results will be posted Sunday, July 5.
Where will I see the standings? Below, and here (Make sure you filter accordingly). Also, if you haven’t already, visit the Sir Walter Running Strava Club page (make sure and join, so that your marks count).
No GPS or Strava? You can email your results to [email protected]
What do I win? The 2 fastest Male and Female times this week will receive a Sir Walter Running Shirt of choice (no Tracksmith)! More awards will be announced soon!
Is there an overall competition? Of course? This series was spawned from our love of le Tour de France. Every second counts when you want to be donned in Yellow! Like Polka Dots? Be King of the Mountain on the first mile, or covet the Green jersey with a fast last mile. Under 25, go for the white jersey! It’s all in fun (and healthy competition)!
Have questions? Let us know: [email protected]
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