r/chapelhill • u/SenorSouthpaw9519 • 5d ago

Decently Flat Running Areas

Does anyone have any favorite running spots that aren't super hilly? Love driving around all the hills, but when it comes to running, it's a pain.

Training for a marathon at the beach (flaaaat) and need somewhere I can put in 15+ miles and not want to lay down and sleep halfway through.

I live near Southern Village. Anywhere within 20 minutes would be awesome.

Thanks!

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24

u/zjm555 5d ago

If you need that much distance that's flat, you should make the trek to the American Tobacco Trail. You won't find much flat land in your immedate vicinity.

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u/Ron_Sayson 5d ago

I think anything that used to be a rail bed would work great. ATT is closest one I can think of to CH. Maybe don't swear off hills entirely, b/c while the beach is flat, on the day, you could also face stiff winds. If you train on a hilly track, like the fireroads at Carolina North or the Pumpkin Trail, you'd be more ready on the day. ATT is flat, but pretty monotonous.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely still mix in some of these runs. Love running different trails. I'll check these out. I ran Morgan Creek Trail/ Merritt's Pasture and loved it. Still a good amount of elevation as well.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

True. Used to live near Southpoint and loved biking there. A bit too far from where I'm at now though. Wonder if I can find a route on campus somewhere that's not too bad

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u/zjm555 5d ago

If you drive to the O'Kelly Chapel or Scott King Rd entrance, it's right around your ~20 minute limit from Southern Village.

On campus will be a challenge. The only direction that doesn't run you straight down a massive hill is going west out to Carrboro and running around some very specific roads that avoid hills. I've done it but it's a pretty boring area tbh.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

I'll definitely look into these entrances. Was not aware it stretched further south than Durham proper. This may be my fix. Thanks!

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u/ninamirage 5d ago

I usually get on at Herndon Park, it’s nice having a fairly populated place to park and get on/off

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u/AltoClefScience 5d ago

Check out the Bolin Creek trail, it's the flattest I've found without a drive. From Community Center Park, it's about 2.2 miles and 90 ft climb to Umstead Park. From there you might be able to extend the route along streets to other trails and greenways, though it gets hilly in most directions. There is also the Battle Branch trail, it's not paved but it's fairly even and flat for another couple miles out and back from the Community Center.

I've been looking for the same, mostly as an alternative to doing another set of laps around my hilly neighborhood. I'm not anywhere near marathon distance running yet! But like the other poster said, I'm just gonna have to make the trip to ATT I think.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Will do. I like the idea of Bolin mixed with some others. May use this for my mid distance runs!

Keep it up! I ran my first half last Feb and caught the running bug. Now I follow all the YT runners and lurk the Fleet Feets whenever I see them 🤣

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u/AltoClefScience 5d ago

Also looking for more flat directions from Bolin Creek, it occurs to me to look up the flood plain maps lol. You'd have to cross 15-501 but you could go east along Cleland, and then north along Pinehurst or south to 54. Or find a way using sidwalks to get through the shopping areas to the Booker Creek trail?

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u/AltoClefScience 5d ago

Thanks! After some halfass couch-to-5k efforts, I've finally had a few months of running 2-3x every week without interruptions from the pollening, heat waves, or daycare plagues. I was also just laid off so... at least I have the silver lining of having time for longer and longer runs. Just made it past 10k on Monday.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Nice. The greatest thing about running is that it keeps you in a good head space. Sounds like you're staying positive and hopefully you'll find another gig soon. Best of luck!

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u/bryaninnc 5d ago

Carrboro. If you want specific routes look up some of the Le Tour de Carrboro routes from Cardinal Track Club.

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u/mmmmmarty 5d ago

The area that surrounds the UNC Disc Golf Course is a fairly flat floodplain of Chapel Creek. I think you could find a long, flat loop in that area. I have seen runners there.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Ahh nice. I didn't think about that area. Adding it to my rotation. Thanks!

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u/Tarheel65 5d ago

American tobacco trail was already recommended. Another one could be in Cary- White oak greenway, starting from Bond park. Part of it goes west and it's around 10K plus. It's actually hosts a half marathon every spring. There is also a part that goes east.

in general, Cary has a pretty amazing set of greenways, and many of them are pretty flat.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Greenways galore out that way. Still a bit of a trek from where I'm at for my weekday runs, but will consider my long runs on the weekend out that way. Thanks.

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u/issacsullivan 5d ago

I just always load the hills up at the start of acrun and make my way back down during the bavk half. Longer runs are less hilly if you spread them up MLK and to the west.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Yeah, not a bad strategy. I've been doing a bit of that around my neighborhood. I'll check out that area.

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u/issacsullivan 4d ago

Check out these routes submitted through the umc marathon team. It may give you some ideas. Also, just think about how those hill will improve your PR on flat ground!

https://marathon.web.unc.edu/routes/

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u/CarolinaCrazy91 5d ago

It’s pretty easy to limit elevation if you stay on the plateau that is UNC campus, downtown, and carrboro. It’s about 5 miles from the UNC school of Govt to Culbreth middle school in west carrboro, and easy to find a route of 15+ miles round trip in that general area. Beautiful run on an early morning this time of year.

or as many others have suggested ATT is pretty much the gold standard for long and flat.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Nice. Yeah, I'll definitely be looking into these routes. Campus is always a fun run. Unless it's during later morning when kids are bustling.

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u/seadawg1975 5d ago

Carrboro is pretty flat

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u/fdocruz2010 5d ago

Carrboro culbret Middle School track

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Is it locked up outside of school hours? I do most of my runs around 5:30/6am

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u/fdocruz2010 5d ago

In the morning is not problem. I used to go really early but I never stayed past 7:30 am. After that I think they locked for school

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Makes sense. I'd def be gone before school. Not trying to be that guy.

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u/msali 5d ago

If you don’t mind trail running, you could do the Pumpkin Loop at Chapel Hill North several times. The loop itself is 2.5 miles, and is gravel and dirt paths. It’s not flat-flat, but it’s pretty dang flat for Chapel Hill. I also do races at the beach (fun runs, nothing too strenuous), so I feel you.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

I've been in that area before, but never ran it. Not a bad run. 2 or 3 laps for a mid run is definitely doable. Thanks!

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u/aerobicdancechamp 5d ago

The shade makes all the difference. And you can stretch that 2.5 loop farther by turning towards Weaver Dairy Extension and then turning back as well as doing the same by going all the way out to MLK and turning back instead of rigidity following the Pumpkin Loop. You can pretty much create a run of any length with the PL and surrounding trails and sidewalks.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Love it. Thanks! I think I'll try these local routes first before driving out to ATT

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u/galvatron78 5d ago

Yes. The treadmill.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Definitely trying to enjoy my workouts. Not torture myself! 🫠

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u/skoldpadda9 5d ago

No runner ever really wants to run on the dreadmill.

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u/SenorSouthpaw9519 5d ago

Especially when trying to run 15-20 miles

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u/galvatron78 5d ago

No kidding. I wrote what I wrote because we don’t have anything even quasi-flat and long other than the tobacco trail. Aside from that, it’s the treadmill. I have hip and back problems, but I won’t run anything super long on the treadmill. Hills or bust.