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 [email protected] and 919.260.8013