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5K Helps Fund Duke Forest Improvements

Registration is open for April 21 run/walk in Duke Forest

Pictured from left to right are the top male runners from 2011: David Powers (third place) from Alexandria, Va., and Duke students Joshua Strauss (first place) and Nicholas Turner (second place).  Photo courtesy of Duke Forest.
Pictured from left to right are the top male runners from 2011: David Powers (third place) from Alexandria, Va., and Duke students Joshua Strauss (first place) and Nicholas Turner (second place). Photo courtesy of Duke Forest.

For Paul Pooley, participating in the Pine Cone Pacer 5K race in Duke Forest is a unique way to learn about this living laboratory.

"You run through undisturbed areas, and then through areas being more actively managed," said Pooley, a research analyst for Duke's Social Science Research Institute. "It is like a mini-tour of forest management practices."

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On April 21, Pooley will join other Duke staff, students, faculty, alumni and other from the local community for the third annual Pine Cone Pacer, the largest fundraising event held by the Office of the Duke Forest.

The Pine Cone Pacer takes place in the Durham Division of Duke Forest, just off of NC-751. Check-in is 7:30 a.m. at Gate 12 with the run/walk beginning at 8 a.m. Race registration is $20 until April 18 and $25 on race day. Proceeds go to the Duke Forest Improvement Fund, which helps support trail maintenance projects, public outreach activities and student internships. 

The Duke Forest office raised $2,200 from last year's race and purchased materials for bridges in the Korstian Division of the forest. The proceeds also helped offset costs of providing public tours.

"Recreation isn't the primary mission of the forest, but it is certainly an important component of what we do," said Sara Childs, program director for Duke Forest. "This race is a wonderful way to support that work." 

All participants receive a goody bag with a T-shirt and other small prizes. Medals go to the first three winners in the male and female divisions and to first place winners in different age and gender categories.

This will be the third year that Pooley, the research analyst for Duke's Social Science Research Institute, will be running the Pine Cone Pacer. Part of the fun is the diverse crowd that shows up, he said. 

"It isn't a monolithic group of athletes," Pooley said. "There are experienced runners and folks with their kids who aren't even sure they'll be able to run the whole course."

Nate Martinez-Wayman, director of research administration for Duke's Department of Medicine, ran last year with his wife and two daughters.

"I think we won first place in the category of parents with one in a stroller and one in a backpack," he joked. "It took us nearly an hour to complete, but we had a great time, and we plan to do it again."