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Run or Walk a 5K in Duke Forest

Registration is now open for Duke Forest’s Pine Cone Pacer

Holly Leddy, a research and development engineer in Duke’s Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility, took this self-portrait while running in Duke Forest. The photo was one of the winners of the 2015 Duke Forest Photo Contest. Photo courtesy of Holly
Holly Leddy, a research and development engineer in Duke’s Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility, took this self-portrait while running in Duke Forest. The photo was one of the winners of the 2015 Duke Forest Photo Contest. Photo courtesy of Holly Leddy

Every weekend, Holly Leddy runs through the shady trees along Duke Forest’s nature trails, taking notice of different plants in bloom or the deer and owls blinking at her through the foliage.

Leddy, a research and development engineer in Duke’s Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility, regularly trains for 5Ks and half-marathons and has signed up for this year’s Pine Cone Pacer 5K on April 16.

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Registration is open for the annual 5K that raises money for Duke Forest environmental education programs, maintenance of foot trails, and management and protection of natural areas.

“I love running in Duke Forest, and I can’t tell you how many training miles I have put in running through all of the trails,” Leddy said. “I love running in the woods, especially. It’s so much more fun than running on the roads around town.”

Pre-registration is open through April 7 for $25 for runners and walkers, and participants receive a T-shirt. Same-day registration is $35 but T-shirts and sizes are not guaranteed. Individuals who don’t want to run can sponsor a pinecone to financially support Duke Forest. The person’s name will be placed on a longleaf pinecone and displayed at the finish line.

Last year was the Pine Cone Pacer’s biggest year yet, with 110 runners and $3,383 raised for Duke Forest projects. This year’s funds will go toward restoring the forest’s Shepherd Nature Trail, which includes improving parts of the recreational trail and adding educational signs along the path about the forest’s history and ecology.

Duke Forest Director Sara DiBacco Childs hopes this year’s participation exceeds last year’s attendance, when participants ran for a record time (16:33), pushed children in strollers and walked with groups of friends. Race observers can bring dogs; dogs are not allowed in the race.

“It might be a training day for you or just a nice day to get out in the sun and take a walk while contributing to a great cause,” Childs said.