The annual Tar Heel 10 Miler race is set for the morning of Saturday, April 20 through the UNC campus and downtown Chapel Hill.
The race will draw hundreds of participants and lead to some disruption to normal weekend activities in the community. Below are details on what residents, racers, and others should know ahead of Saturday’s event.
Road Closures
Several roads in Chapel Hill will have temporary road blocks in place as part of the Tar Heel 10 Miler and its sister race, the Fleet Feet 4 Miler. The earliest closure will take place on Raleigh Road at the edge of UNC’s main campus, with it being completely shut down to traffic between Country Club Road and the exchange with U.S. 15-501 beginning at 5 a.m. Electronic signage has been displayed along 15-501 and North Carolina Highway 54 to warn drivers of the closure leading up to Saturday, as race organizers urge people to avoid the exchange of Raleigh Road and 15-501 on Saturday morning if possible. The stretch of road is expected to reopen around 10 a.m.
Additionally, several downtown and residential roads will have closures ranging from 7 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Saturday. The race route covers the length of Franklin Street, part of Chapel Hill’s historic districts, Battle Park, Greenwood Road, Laurel Hill and more. The Town of Chapel Hill warned that on-street parking along Franklin Street, South Graham Street, North Roberson Street, and Cameron Avenue will all be unavailable until the race is finished.
Race organizers and the local government encourage drivers to check Google Maps or Waze Saturday morning to get real-time traffic conditions and impacts from the race.
Race Route
The complete map of the Tar Heel 10 Miler and the Fleet Feet 4 Miler can be found on Google Maps here or the race website. The starting position for both races is South Road near UNC’s Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower and will each end on Stadium Drive in front of Teague Residence Hall.
Parking Impact
For racers, the Tar Heel 10 Miler encourages people to park in university lots that correspond with how far they are running on Saturday. For the titular race, drivers are encouraged to park in the Cardinal Deck or Craige Deck while Fleet Feet 4 Miler runners are encouraged to park at the Manning Lot or Skipper Bowles & Business Lots. Those doing the Double Down Challenge can park in the Jackson Deck.
For community members, all race participants and spectators will have the option to pay for parking at Town of Chapel Hill lots, but they are not required. Lots will be open to all visitors, but access may be impacted by the road closures for the race.
More parking information can be found here.
More Race Details
The Tar Heel 10 Miler distributes a packet to each participant, but more Frequently Asked Questions can be found on a corresponding page on the race’s website.
UNC Spring Football and Softball Games
Two Carolina athletics programs will be in action on campus Saturday afternoon, and both of their stadiums are near the race course. But the Tar Heel 10 Miler activities will all be concluded by the time UNC softball plays Louisville at 2 p.m. and the Carolina football program hosts its spring game in Kenan Stadium. More details about the UNC spring football game can be found here.
Featured photo via the Tar Heel 10 Miler on Facebook.
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