Wake Forest National Trails Day 5K, 3K sell out June 6

Wake Forest’s National Trails Day 5K and 3K filled up fast for Saturday’s event at E. Carroll Joyner Park, but residents who missed a bib can still use the park’s three miles of paved trails, watch runners and spend the day around one of the town’s biggest green spaces.

The Town of Wake Forest said both races are full and no additional registrations will be accepted. Check-in begins at 7 a.m., with the race start set for 8 a.m. at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. The 117-acre park, which opened to the public in August 2009, is Wake Forest’s newest and largest park.

The sellout underscores how much demand there is for outdoor recreation in a town that has spent years building out its greenway network. Wake Forest says it has celebrated National Trails Day for the past six years, and this year marks the second annual Wake Forest National Trails Day 5K. The event is sponsored by Skylift Garage Doors, and proceeds will go toward maintaining current greenways and building new ones.

That work matters in a town that says it now has 15.5 miles of greenways, with more under construction. Wake Forest has been adding trails since 2003 to link neighborhoods, parks, schools and open spaces, and Joyner Park has become one of the most visible places to see that system in use.

Even without race entry, Saturday’s event is still set up for families and casual visitors. The National Trails Day slate includes an Environmental Education Expo with interactive stations for children and adults, free yoga from certified instructor Stephanie Barnhill from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the amphitheater, and a passport activity for children. Kids who pick up a passport at the Greenways Advisory Board booth and get it stamped at six or more stations can win a special prize while supplies last, and all booth visitors can be entered for additional prizes.

The town lists NC Leave No Trace and the NC State Climate Office among the participating organizations, with more groups still to be confirmed. Bourbon Street Beignets also will be onsite. RunSignup said strollers and dogs are welcome, but they must start at the back of the pack, and race packets were available for those who registered before May 8.

National Trails Day falls on the first Saturday in June and is hosted nationally by the American Hiking Society. In Wake Forest, the focus now shifts from registration to participation, with Joyner Park remaining open to anyone who wants to walk, cheer or simply spend the morning on the trails.