The Nash UNC Health Care Rocket Mile hits year five with National and State Championships on the line

April 27, 2018 – Rocky Mount, North Carolina – Now in its fifth year, the Nash UNC Health Care Rocket Mile returns to the streets of Downtown Rocky Mount on Sunday, May 6th at 2pm as the Road Runners Club of America National Championship, and the United States Track and Field – North Carolina State Championship. Boasting $1550 in prize money in the Mens and Womens Competitive races, and separate kids races that highlight endurance clubs from Benvenue, Englewood, Nashville, Red Oak, Spring Hope, and Swift Creek, the event has become an annual for celebration for those from five to eighty five.

“Rocky Mount is the perfect location for a fast road mile! We are excited to continue the excellent tradition of this race as we highlight the revitalization of Downtown Rocky Mount, and celebrate the history of the mile,” said Sandy Roberts, co-founder of Sir Walter Running, and course record holder. “We’re also excited that Nash UNC Health Care has returned as the title sponsor.”

“Nash UNC Health Care is proud to support the Rocket Mile, promoting health and wellness in our community,” said Lee Isley, Nash UNC Health Care president and CEO. “We are looking forward to a fun afternoon celebrating runners of all levels.”

Along with the longtime title sponsor, the event has attracted new sponsors each year, as few races are as family friendly as the Rocket Mile, where parents can run the adult races; then can cheer, or run alongside their children in the kids events.

One of those sponsors is First Carolina Bank, and another is Fleet Feet Greenville, who will provide age group awards.

“First Carolina Bank not only invests our dollars into the community, we invest a significant amount of our time. We are committed to making our community strong,” said Kristen Brabble, First Carolina Bank Chief Administrative Officer.

Packet pickup, and late registration, for the event will be Friday night, May 4th, from 6-8pm at First Friday at the Imperial Centre, as well as Saturday, May 5th (aka Derby Day), from 4-6pm at HopFly Brewing Co. at the Rocky Mount Mills.

“We created a fun beer that ties into the Kentucky Derby and also allowed us to experiment with some different brewing techniques. We’re excited to serve it for Derby Day packet pickup,” said Cam Schultz, HopFly Brewing Co. Owner and Brewmaster, who created a “Mint Julep Blonde Ale” for the packet pickup, and post-race party.

Race day is Sunday, May 6th, which marks the 64th anniversary of Roger Bannister running the first sub 4:00 mile.

“The Nash UNC Health Care Rocket Mile is part of the growing Mile movement and “buzz” since our 2012 campaign launch. We love, salute and support outstanding community Mile events for runners of all ages & abilities, particularly ones that have a kid-centric component like the Rocket Mile,” said Ryan Lamppa, Bring Back the Mile Founder.

Race day registration, and late packet pickup, will also happen at the Imperial Centre from Noon to 1:30pm, where the race starts and ends, and where the awards ceremony will take place. Races start at 2pm and the awards ceremony will be at approximately 3:30pm. Webby’s Shaved-Ice will be on hand to provide free refreshment for participants.

Online registration is open through race day and volunteers are requested.  Rocky Mount-based Tar River Timing will time the event. The Summer of Miles podcast will release a “Spring of Mills” episode during race week, to preview the event.

The Nash UNC Health Care Rocket Mile is directed and promoted by Sir Walter Running, a Raleigh-based USATF club. Sir Walter Running also produces the Sir Walter Miler, the Pop Up Miles and Pop Up Cross Country series, the Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile, the Summer of Miles podcast, and a series of Strava Challenges.

For more information, sponsorship information, or interview requests, contact Pat Price for Singlet Public Relations at sirwalterrunning@gmail.com and 919.260.8013

Raleigh City Cross Country Championship brings the 2017 Pop Up Cross Country at Dix Park series to a close

October 25, 2017 – Raleigh, North Carolina – The sound of bagpipes filled the air just before the whistle blew to launch the Kids 1000 meter race off the starting line, kicking off the inaugural Raleigh City Cross Country Championship at Dix Park. The event was a joint venture between Sir Walter Running, the City of Raleigh, Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, and Dix Park.

The event also launched the “Big Field Mile,” a temporary mile loop around the Big Field at Dix Park. The launch was a part of the iDEA Raleigh Campaign, with the goal of activating Dix Park. The “Big Field Mile” has neon green posts every 100 meters, and can be run either clockwise, or counter clockwise, as it is marked both ways, with Strava segments to match (Clockwise segment / Counter Clockwise segment).

“We are continually trying to find creative ways to bring the community to Dix Park. Last night was a great example highlighting not only a successful partnership with the Sir Walter Miler team, but also the potential of Dix Park to host a variety of events. It’s great to see how the park works for lots of different groups,” said Kate Pearce, Senior Planner for Dix Park.

The competitors shared Pearce’s enthusiasm.

“What I loved most about the Pop Up Cross Country series at Dix Park (aka Autumn of Trials) was that it wasn’t about racing the clock; it was about challenging yourself to do something different. It was also an opportunity for lots of runners to return to our roots. Many of us got our start running Cross Country in grade school, but haven’t had the chance to do anything like that since. It was running done the way it should be – pure, simple, and fun. I felt like a kid again,” said Brian Fowler, Captain of the Fleet Feet Raleigh-Morrisville team.

The “Big Field Mile” was set up in European Cross Country fashion, as it was decorated with two hay bail jumps, plus a pumpkin jump, that the athletes had to navigate three times before heading towards toward the finishing stretch that was a just a tenth of a mile, to complete the five kilometer course.

On the Men’s side, Omer Abdulrahman took it out hard and held off former Duke runner, Andrew Palumbo, in 16:47.04. On the Women’s side, the newly formed Raleigh Distance Project ran as a group, with Shawna Jones pulling ahead in the last straightaway to take the win in 20:44.42.

It was a tight battle for the Hayes Barton Bowl, which was awarded to the team winner. Bond Brothers Run Club held off Fleet Feet Raleigh-Morrisville by a narrow 7 point margin. Finishing off the podium was the Oak City Recovery Run Club, who had a surprise guest runner, Jamil Rashad, also known as Boulevards, who finished a strong 9th indvidually in 18:31.65. Rashad, a standout runner in high school in Raleigh, and collegiately at UNC Charlotte, returned to running after a long break. “It feels good to love running again and get those competitive juices flowing,” said Rashad.

The Raleigh City Cross Country Championship and Pop Up Cross Country at Dix Park series was directed and promoted by Sir Walter Running, a Raleigh-based USATF club. Sir Walter Running also produces the Sir Walter Miler, the Pop Up Miles series every June, the Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile, the Summer of Miles podcast, and a series of Strava Challenges.

2017 Raleigh City Cross Country Championship 5k Official Results

Top 3 Teams
1. Bond Brothers Run Club – 31 points
2. Fleet Feet Raleigh-Morrisville – 38 points
3. Oak City Recovery Run Club – 85 points

Top 10 Men
1. Omer Abdulrahman – 16:47.04
2. Andrew Palumbo – 17:16.64
3. Chris Pedi – 17:22.48
4. Charlie McGoogan – 17:35.44
5. Brian Fowler – 17:36.21
6. Alan Freeman – 17:46.37
7. Neil Skoog – 18:13.37
8. Matt Mansell – 18:25.36
9. Jamil Rashad – 18:31.65
10. Brandon Whittaker – 18:33.07

Top 10 Women
1. Shawna Jones – 20:44.42
2. Rita Dorry – 20:47.48
3. Andie Cozzarelli – 20:47.67
4. Tereza Novotna – 20:47.83
5. Sammy George – 20:48.17
6. Sarah Rapp – 21:11.39
7. Rhea Deroian – 22:19.57
8. Kellie Davis – 22:28.69
9. Jaime Cottle – 22:37.64
10. Sydney Schieffer – 23:09.07

Full Official Results are here: https://sirwalterrunning.com/2017-raleigh-city-cross-country-championship-official-results/

Sandy and Pat recap the event on the Summer of Miles podcast

For more information, sponsorship information, or interview requests, contact Pat Price for Singlet Public Relations at sirwalterrunning@gmail.com and 919.260.8013

October 20, 2017 – Raleigh, North Carolina – After the successful completion of three consecutive Tuesdays Cross Country races for Adults and Kids this October, Sir Walter Running’s Pop Up Cross Country at Dix Park series will wrap up its first season with the Raleigh City Cross Country Championship, which will be held this upcoming Tuesday, October 24th on the Big Field at Dix Park.

Sign ups are underway online, and race day registration and packet pick will start at 5pm. The free Kids 1000 meter Fun Run will take place at 5:45pm, followed by the Raleigh City Cross Country Championship 5k at 6pm. The Championship will crown an individual city champion, as well as a team champion, where at least four members will score, based on their place, in a lowest score wins calculation. Teams entered so far are: Bond Brothers Run Club, F3/FIA, Fleet Feet Raleigh/Morrisville, House of Hops Run Club, Oak City Recovery Run Club, Raleigh Distance Project, Runologie, and Trophy Run Club.

There will be hay bails to clear, pumpkins to jump, and a post-race party at nearby Trophy Brewing on Maywood. Individual Men’s and Women’s Champion will recieve a trophy, as well as the coed Team Champion, who will recieve the Hayes Barton Bowl, commemorating Sir Walter Raleigh’s hometown.

The event will also mark the launch of the Big Field Mile; a marked mile (every 100 meters) that follows the inner and outer perimeter of the Big Field at Dix Park. This will be launched in conjunction with the City of Raleigh’s iDEA RALEIGH Program and Dix Park.

Further details on the event were discussed on Episode 15 of the Summer of Miles podcast, hosted by Sir Walter Running’s Sandy Roberts and Pat Price.

Pop Up Cross Country is directed and promoted by Sir Walter Running, a Raleigh-based USATF club. Sir Walter Running also produces the Sir Walter Miler, the Pop Up Miles series every June, the Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile, the Summer of Miles podcast, and a series of Strava Challenges.

Details on the Raleigh City Cross Country Championship

When: Tuesday, October 24th, 2017

Where: The Big Field at Dix Park

Cost: $12

Timing: FS Series will provide bibs and chip timing (Official Results)

Teams Entered So Far: Bond Brothers Run Club, F3/FIA, Fleet Feet Raleigh/Morrisville, House of Hops Run Club, Oak City Recovery Run Club, Raleigh Distance Project, Runologie, Trophy Run Club

Team Scoring: Top 4 for each team score, based on place. Lowest team score wins. Teams can have as many members as possible.

Schedule

• 5:00pm – Race Day Registration/Bib & Chip Pickup (ending at 5:45pm, by the starting line).
• 5:45pm – Kids 1000 meter Fun Run (Free / No Bib needed)
• 6:00pm – 5k Race
• 7:00pm – Awards and Post-Race Party at Trophy Brewing Co. on Maywood. Curry in a Hurry Food Truck will be there as well!

Course Map

Series Recap

Week 1: Tuesday, October 3 – 6pm 5k, 6:30pm Kids 1k (Course Maps / Results)

Week 2: Tuesday, October 10 – 6pm 5k, 6:30pm Kids 1k (5k Course Map / Results)

Week 3: Tuesday, October 17 – 6pm 3 Mile (individual) / 3xMile Relay / Kids 1 Mile within race (1 Mile Loop Course Map / Results)

For more information, sponsorship information, or interview requests, contact Pat Price for Singlet Public Relations at sirwalterrunning@gmail.com and 919.260.8013