A unique team handicap race that rewards strategy as much as speed.

Date: Sunday Jan. 18, 2026 at 10 AM

Location: Umstead State Park, Sycamore Campground Parking Lot

The Umstead Equalizer will take place on Sunday, January 18, 2026, starting at 10:00 am in the William Umstead State Park, Crabtree Entrance (off US 70). We have relocated the event to Umstead Park because our regular trails in the Eno River State Park are unavailable due to the flood damage at the bridge over the Eno River.

In fact, The Equalizer originated in Umstead Park and the first two editions were held there (2000 and 2001), but beginning in 2003, we moved it to Eno River State Park where it remained until this year.

The start and finish will be at the Sycamore Campground Parking Lot. From the Crabtree Entrance, continue into the park past the Visitor Center, then turn left into Maintenance Road, right into Group Camp Road, then left into Sycamore Road and park at the parking lot.

Course Map

The course takes the short spur from the parking lot to Graylyn Trail, turns right along Graylyn, left on Reedy Creek Trail and again into Cedar Ridge Trail, turns around on Cedar Ridge Trail and then returns by he same route. Distances on the map are approximate, depending on the precise location of the start/finish and turnaround points on race day.

The format of the race will be the same as previous years: it will be a handicap race with staggered starts and three-person teams drawn at the start of the race. It is approximately the same length as the Cox Mountain course we have used in Eno River park, but not as hilly and generally free of tree roots and rocks.

The park officials have requested that we limit this race to 36 runners. We are asking you to please sign up via the online registration form. Because we are aware that many club members preregister for a race but don't necessarily run it, we do not intend to close the sign-up sheet, but we will follow up before the race to establish who actually intends to run it (or if you sign up and later decide to drop out, please email the race director). If the number exceeds 36, the first 36 members in order of sign-up will be accepted (so there is still an advantage to signing up early!). We are also asking members to carpool where possible.

For those not signed up for the Winter Series, there will be an entry fee of $5, payable through the CGTC website as usual.

Race Director: Richard Smith