2019 Summer of Miles series kicks off with sold out, inaugural Raleigh Half Marathon

February 1, 2019 – Raleigh, North Carolina – Sir Walter Running’s annual “Summer of Miles” series returns in 2019 with the inaugural Raleigh Half Marathon on Sunday, April 14th. The first year event is sold out, with a capacity of 750 runners. The Raleigh Half Marathon is held mostly on the Neuse River Greenway Trail, starting and finishing at Buffaloe Road Athletic Park. The event was created to fill the void left by the departure of the Rock ‘n’ Roll series, and will serve as the USATF North Carolina State Championship. More information can be found at RaleighHalfMarathon.com

Returning for a sixth year in 2019 is the Nash UNC Health Care Rocket Mile in downtown Rocky Mount. The event will take place on  Sunday, May 5th, and features separate Adult and Kids races, with the Adult Mens and Womens races serving at the USATF State Championship, and the Kids races serving as the USATF “Middle School State Championship,” a first time designation. Registration is now open. More information can be found at TheRocketMile.com

The Pop Up Miles series returns again on Tuesdays in June. The popular, free Tuesday night series will be held at different tracks around the greater Raleigh area, with an over 5:30 and and under 5:30 mile each week, as well as a bonus individual event (5k, 400, 800) and a relay. The Championship will again take place at Meredith College on Tuesday, June 25th, with the Mens and Womens winners gaining a spot in the elite field of the 2019 Sir Walter Miler. More information can be found at PopUpMiles.com

The fourth Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile returns on Friday night, June 14th. The event will once again host a Mens and Womens Mile that starts at the top of Centennial Parkway, and ends near the back of the State Farmers Market, dropping 130 feet from start to finish. A post race party will again be held at Trophy Brewing Co. on Maywood Avenue. Registration is now open. More information can be found at RaleighRunDown.com

July will bring the return of the “Tour de Walter,” a free Strava Challenge series that pays tribute to Le Tour de France. Each week, runners will compete in a different course virtually for prizes, the King of the Mountain, and the Yellow Jersey, which is based on cumulative time. The Official Sir Walter Running Strava Club page can be found at SirWalterStrava.com

Finally, the Sir Walter Miler will return for its sixth running on its traditional First Friday spot in August of Friday, August 2nd at Meredith College. The 2018 event saw Charlene Lipsey take the win in the Women’s race (4:27.28) narrowly over Sara Vaughn (4:27.31), as both Women bested 4:30 for the first time. Cory McGee took third, following closely in 4:27.78. The Mens race saw a record thirteen American men run under the 4-minute barrier, highlighted by Multi-time Olympian Lopez Lomong’s meet record 3:53.86. More details will be available on the event will be available soon at SirWalterMiler.com

Sir Walter Running is 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 Summer of Miles podcast. The 2019 Sir Walter Running Internship application is now open through March 31st. On February 16th, Sir Walter Running will participate in the annual Kay Yow Cancer Fund Celebration Run/Walk. You can join, or make a donation in Sir Walter’s behalf here: support.kayyow.com/sirwalterrunning

2019 Summer of Miles Schedule

• Sunday, April 14 – Raleigh, NC – Raleigh Half Marathon (RSVP)
• Sunday, May 5 – Rocky Mount, NC – Nash UNC Health Care Rocket Mile (RSVP)
• Tuesday, June 4 – Raleigh, NC – Pop Up Miles – Week 1
• Tuesday, June 11 – Raleigh, NC – Pop Up Miles – Week 2
• Friday, June 14 – Raleigh, NC – Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile (RSVP)
• Tuesday, June 18 – Raleigh, NC – Pop Up Miles –  Week 3
• Friday, June 28 – Raleigh, NC – Pop Up Miles – Championship Miles
• All July – Raleigh, NC – Tour de Walter (4 week Strava Challenge)
• Friday, August 2 – Raleigh, NC – Sir Walter Miler

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

Pop Up Miles Season 4 kicks off Sir Walter Running’s Summer of Miles on June 5th

June 4, 2018 – Raleigh, North Carolina – Now in its fourth season, Sir Walter Running’s free community track series, Pop Up Miles, returns to its standard Tuesday nights in June starting this week, June 5th. The rotating venue series started in 2015, with runners finding out the Saturday before each Tuesday where the event would be held. Each week, there is an over 5:30 mile, an under 5:29 mile, a bonus event (5k, 400 meters), and a relay (4×400, 4×800).

During the monthlong series, athletes compete for the Top 10 slots in the Championship Miles event held on Tuesday, June 26th. The Male and Female Winners of these races earn a chance to compete against the nations top elite milers in the 5th Annual Sir Walter Miler, which will be held Friday, August 3rd at Meredith College.

Adding to the June Pop Up Miles series is the third annual Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile, dubbed the “fastest mile in North Carolina,” due to its 130 foot drop in elevation from the start to the finish, generally allowing competitors to run 20-30 seconds faster than usual. Post-party will again be held at Trophy Brewing Co. on Maywood, with awards from Runologie. Shop Local Raleigh is also a longtime sponsor of the event.

For the first time, Bandwidth Inc., a communications software company based on Centennial campus, will be the presenting sponsor of the event.

“We’re excited to partner with Sir Walter Running for the Raleigh RunDown,” said David Morken, cofounder and CEO of Bandwidth. “Running, working out, and breaking a sweat playing intramurals are a part of lunchtime every day at Bandwidth. It’s been essential to our culture. We’re looking forward to sharing a little bit of the Bandwidth competitive spirit at the Raleigh RunDown…not trying to put any pressure on my fast Bandmates, but just sayin…”

The Men’s Course Record is 3:52.57, set by Brayden Burleigh in 2016, and the Women’s Course Record is 4:27.95, set by Sarah Rapp in 2017.

“This course was specifically designed for speed. A few years of scouring Raleigh for the perfect grade to run fast, without hurting yourself, led us to the lush slope that is Centennial Parkway,” said Race Co-Founder, Pat Price.

Another new event for 2018 is the Session at the Speedway, a multiple distance event that will take place on Tuesday, June 19th at the Wake County Speedway, as part of the Pop Up Miles series. Competitors will run the Mile, 1/4 Mile, 1/2 Mile, then the 2 Mile on the speedway track, known as “America’s Favorite Bullring,” with lowest time equals lowest score system. Raleigh Denim Workshop will be co-presenting the unique event, where denim is not required, but encouraged.

Athletes and fans will also be allowed to bring a soft cooler into the speedway, with their beverages of choosing. Alcohol will be permitted, but no glass is allowed. Sir Walter Running recommends supporting local breweries and their session offerings. This is very unique to the sport of track and field.

“We are excited to merge the two things that belong at a speedway, denim and racing! Raleigh Denim is bringing the fashion and Sir Walter the running! It’ll be a night of Americana at the Speedway!” said Sir Walter Running Co-Founder, Sandy Roberts.

Wrapping up the 2018 Summer of Miles will again be the 2018 Sir Walter Miler. Now in its fifth year, Sir Walter Miler was called the “best glimpse of future growth for American track” by Sports Illustrated in 2015, and has boasted 26 sub 4:00 performances on the Men’s side, and 9 sub 4:30 performances on the Women’s side; with a reputation as one of the fastest, rowdiest miles in the World. The Elite Field and full details on the event will be released in early July.

The 2018 Summer of Miles series is directed by Sir Walter Running, a Raleigh-based 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is  “bringing the Greater Raleigh running community together through innovation, activation, and inclusivity.” Sir Walter Running also produces the Pop Up Cross Country series at Dix Park, the Summer of Miles podcast, the Nash UNC Health Care Rocket Mile in Rocky Mount, a series of Strava Challenges, as well as the forthcoming postrun polo, that was created in conjunction with the Portland Track Festival Innovation Project.

2018 Summer of Miles

Tuesday, June 5 – Raleigh, NC – Summer of Miles podcast presents Pop Up Miles – Week #1 (Bonus Events: 5k, 4×400) RSVP

Tuesday, June 12 – Raleigh, NC – North Raleigh Family Eye Care presents Pop Up Miles – Week #2 (Bonus Events: 400, 4×800) RSVP

Friday, June 15 – Raleigh, NC – Bandwidth presents Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile  (Register here) RSVP

Tuesday, June 19 – Raleigh, NC – Raleigh Denim presents Pop Up Miles – Week #3 – Session at the Speedway (Register here) RSVP

Tuesday, June 26 – Raleigh, NC – Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance presents  Pop Up Miles – Championship Miles (Bonus Events: Open Mile, 4×400) RSVP

Friday, August 3 – Raleigh, NC – Sir Walter Miler (RSVP)

Saturday, August 4 – Raleigh, NC – Run with the Pros

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

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