Birds Of a Feather Trail Trot

Birds of a Feather Trail Trot

Birds of a Feather Trail Trot is a Thanksgiving Day trail running event at Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill, NC. The event offers multiple distances and includes a post-race slice of pie, a free kids race for ages 11 and under, and an awards ceremony with contests and giveaways.

Distances:

• 2 Mile (2.04 mi) with paved, grass, and smooth trail sections.
• 5K (3.38 mi / 5.4K) with undulating double-track and single-track trails.
• 10K (6.2 mi) newly added for 2026, mostly trail terrain.

Course details note a mix of pavement, grass, and dirt trails. The 2 Mile has one aid station at 1.03 miles and 134 feet of elevation gain; it may be run as a timed race or an untimed fun run. The 5K has one aid station at 1.8 miles, about 217 feet of elevation gain, and sections with roots and rocks. The 10K includes three aid stations and about 378 feet of elevation gain. Courses are described with technical ratings and are marked on-site.

Race operations include chip timing for timed events, photo downloads, medical support, and stocked aid stations. Participants and teams are limited to keep field sizes smaller: each timed race is capped at 175 entrants and total event participation is capped at 600. Strollers are permitted only in the 2 Mile fun run. Pets are not permitted on course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.