The RDC Marathon and Half Marathon will draw participants from Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, as well as throughout North Carolina and across the country. The USATF certified courses will feature the beautiful American Tobacco Trail and finish at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham, giving participants and spectators the …
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The RDC Marathon and Half Marathon will draw participants from Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, as well as throughout North Carolina and across the country. The USATF certified courses will feature the beautiful American Tobacco Trail and finish at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham, giving participants and spectators the opportunity to wine, dine, shop, and run!
The course was designed to showcase many of the focal points of the mall and the surrounding area, including The Streets at Southpoint, the City of Durham and the American Tobacco Trail, which has long been a favorite destination for local runners to escape for a lunchtime jog or a weekend twenty mile run. The course showcases the diversity of the local area, from modern urban city to quiet forest trails and open farmland.
The start and finish will be in mall parking lot just west of AMC movie theaters. Just under 2 miles of the course will be around the Streets at Southpoint with both courses entering the trail and heading North towards downtown Durham. The course will turn around just after mile 7 coming back towards the Streets at Southpoint. Upon running over I-40 ATT trail the half marathon will take a quick left then right to the finish line while the marathon will continue straight towards the county portion of the trail then turning around before New Hope Road crossing. Return back the marathon will make a right turn off the trail head then a quick right to the finish line.
The Durham Sports Commission (DSC), Title sponsor of RunRDC, is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB). Newly established in 2016, the DSC’s mission is to provide leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region.
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Flat rail trail race
This race offered 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon events. The half and marathon started together. The first mile or so was around the parking lot of the shopping mall … MORE
This race offered 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon events. The half and marathon started together. The first mile or so was around the parking lot of the shopping mall before heading out to the American Tobacco Trail, a converted rail trail. The remaining distance was all on the trail, which is quite flat. The trail started out paved then went to crushed gravel, before turning around and returning to the start (minus the mile through the parking lot). There were adequate water/gatorade stops, with a couple of them offering gels.
The finisher’s medal was okay and age group winners got a slate coaster.
Everything was being packed up everyone finished and I’m not sure if the last handful of runners got any beer or pizza.
It wasn’t a bad race, but I did think it a little boring since it was a smaller race and not really anything to look as except trees.
Skip this race
TLDR - Skip this race and run Richmond or other local races instead. This is a very small race with minimal support at every step of event. Only benefit is … MORE
TLDR – Skip this race and run Richmond or other local races instead. This is a very small race with minimal support at every step of event. Only benefit is the entry price. Medal, shirt, swag all unbranded year. Would have been disappointed if this was my first race. Not an easy course to BQ either. Aid stations and support are spaced far apart. Minimal support on course if needed. Race was delayed at start due to “issues”. I could go about negatives but feel bad this is a hometown small race company who I would like to continue supporting. Timing of the event is horrible when there are much bigger hometown races in weeks after. Perhaps a winter event would be better?
Enjoy this race!
First in-person race since COVID. Was the last in-person before COVID. Ran my PR which I wasn't expecting since I wasn't able to race for 2 years. Love running on … MORE
First in-person race since COVID. Was the last in-person before COVID. Ran my PR which I wasn’t expecting since I wasn’t able to race for 2 years. Love running on the American Tobacco Trail. Wish the after-race was better. There is more going on after the Half and Full Marathon the next day. Will run this race again.
Small and well organized multi-day race
RDC Challenge is a great way to get a bunch of races in one weekend! You can do the 5K & 10K on Saturday and follow-up with either the Half … MORE
RDC Challenge is a great way to get a bunch of races in one weekend! You can do the 5K & 10K on Saturday and follow-up with either the Half or Full Marathon on Sunday. Travel problems prevented me from completing the Challenge but the marathon on Sunday was great. Weather was cold to start (28º) but sunny.
After a loop around the shopping center, the race proceeds down the American Tobacco Trail for about 12 miles before reversing along the same trail. Scenery is very pleasant with tall pines lining the trail. Mostly flat course with small ‘bumps’ throughout. Garmin registered 759′ elevation gain. Simple post-race party offering snacks, beer and wine. With only 179 marathon and 406 half marathon finishers, it is one of the smallest races I have run.
If you like this type of race, RDC is the place for you.
Great race on Am Tobacco Trail
I have always run the 5K. This was the first 10K that I ran. Loved it and so of course this is my personal best. Thought it was a good … MORE
I have always run the 5K. This was the first 10K that I ran. Loved it and so of course this is my personal best. Thought it was a good time for the first time. Won my age group! The American Tobacco Trail is scenic and relatively flat. Plenty of after-race things going on…food and booths.
Inaugural Year for Race
Such a great cause and the most original medal I have seen. With it being the first year for the marathon, there were some lonely areas toward the latter portion … MORE
Such a great cause and the most original medal I have seen. With it being the first year for the marathon, there were some lonely areas toward the latter portion of the marathon. But I am sure the race has grown since then. Looking to run it again this year, and hotels are already getting booked… so that is a good sign!
OK for an inaugural race
Loved running on the American Tobacco Trail. No vendors or party after the 5K. Finisher medal was nice. Tech shirt instead of t-shirt would have been nice.I will run it … MORE
Loved running on the American Tobacco Trail. No vendors or party after the 5K. Finisher medal was nice. Tech shirt instead of t-shirt would have been nice.I will run it again next year believing that the second year will be an improvement. Came in first in age group.