Triple Lakes Trail Race

Celebrating 20 years of racing, the Triple Lakes Trail Race is one of the most iconic and established trail races in North Carolina. Held each fall in Greensboro, this premier trail racing event is centered around Lake Brandt, Lake Townsend, and Lake Jeanette, taking runners through miles of scenic watershed trails at Bur-Mil Park. With distance options including a Half Marathon, Marathon, and 40-Mile Ultra, plus relay options, Triple Lakes offers an unforgettable experience for trail runners of all levels. The course is extremely well marked, well aided, and features very generous cutoffs, making it an ideal race for first-time trail racers, marathoners stepping up in distance, and seasoned ultra runners alike. This race is part of the North Carolina Trail Mega Medal Series!

Race Distances

• Half Marathon (trail run)
• Marathon (individual or relay)
• 40-Mile Ultra (individual or relay)

Highlights of Triple Lakes Trail Race

• 20 years of proven excellence in North Carolina trail racing
• Scenic watershed trails winding around Lake Brandt, Lake Townsend, and Lake Jeanette
• Extremely well-marked course, allowing runners to focus on racing, not navigation
• Well-stocked aid stations positioned throughout the course
• Very generous cutoffs, supporting a wide range of paces and experience levels
• Ultra and relay options, perfect for those chasing big miles or sharing the challenge with teammates
• Ideal progression race, from half marathon to marathon to ultra distance
• Strong trail community atmosphere, with experienced volunteers and enthusiastic support
• Post-race celebration, making the finish line just as memorable as the miles leading to it
• Unique finisher medal, which is part of the Trivium Trail Mega Medal Series

A racing option for all levels

Whether you are tackling your first trail half marathon, stepping up to a trail marathon, or taking on the challenge of a 40-mile ultra, the Triple Lakes Trail Race is designed to help you succeed. Relay options make the marathon and 40-mile distances accessible for teams, while the course layout and support make this race both challenging and achievable.

If you’re looking for a North Carolina trail race with history, community, outstanding organization, and unforgettable scenery, the Triple Lakes Trail Race delivers year after year.

This is a course map on Strava. You can view the course and elevation, as well as download a GPX file from this link to use with your running watch. 

Start: At Start Finish arch facing the Wildlife Building​
Head South on A and Y Greenway​
1.05 Turn Left onto Owls Roost Trail Entrance (middle/northern entrance) ​
1.25 Stay Right at split to take Owls Roost​
CONTINUE ON THE ENTIRETY OF OWLS ROOST TRAIL IN A COUNTER CLOCKWISE DIRECTION​
4.1 Turn Left to Start Shady Side​
5.9 Turn Right to continue to exit of Owls Roost​
6.1 Turn left to stay on Owls Roost ​
6.3 Quick Left/ Straight Across to enter Palmetto Trail​
7.8 Turn Left at Exit of Palmetto Trail onto Old Battleground/A&Y Greenway​
7.9 Turn Left to Enter Nat Greene Trail ​
8.7 Continue Straight over Greenway to continue on Nat Greene Trail​
11.3 Turn Left to continue over Marina drive​
11.5 Exit Nat Greene extension onto Lake Brandt/Crossover Lake Brandt​
11.6 Enter Laurel Bluff Trail​
14.6 Continue Straight across Church St. to Crockett Trail​
15.7 Turn Left onto Church St. South​
15.9 Turn Left onto Osprey Trail​
18 Continue Straight over Yanceyville from Osprey Trail to Townsend Trail​
20.7 U-Turn​
23.3 Continue Straight over Yanceyville from Townsend Trail to Osprey  Trail​
25.5 Turn right to go North on Church St.​
25.6 Turn Left onto Crockett Trail​
26.7 Turn right onto Church St.​
26.9 Turn Left onto Reedy Fork​
30.1 Turn Left onto Lake Brandt Rd. Heading South​
30.5 Turn Right to Enter Nat Greene Extension​
30.6 Crossover Marina Parking lot and continue on Nat Greene Trail​
33.2 Continue Straight over Greenway to continue on Nat Greene Trail​
33.9 Turn Right to Run on Old Battleground/A&Y Greenway​
34.2 Turn Right to enter Palmetto Trail​
35.6 Take a slight left/Continue Straight to enter southernmost entrance to Owls Roost Trail ​
35.9 Turn right at split to take short route to Owls Roost/Shadyside Split​
36. Turn Right to begin Owls Roost​
39.2 Turn Right to exit Owls Roost Trail onto Greenway​
39.3 Turn left onto field entrance near finish pavilion​

The aid stations will have a combination of foods from different nutritional groups; fruit, salty, fiber, sugar, substantive calories, etc.,as well as water and Tailwind Hydration with carbs and electrolytes.  

Keep in mind that if you have specific dietary restrictions or allergies not met by the aid station food, plan ahead and make use of your drop bags and crew. 

Specific Tailwind flavors are included in the pdf attachment at the bottom of this page.

Aid stations will be stocked with Tailwind Nutrition. 

Click the link below to download a PDF file with live map links for the aid station locations!

Michigan

Mega Medal Series

Prove It 5K/10K:  April 18, 2026 at the GM Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan

Trenton Summerfest Half Marthon, 8K, & 5K:  June 27, 2026 at Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Michigan

Dearborn Decades 5K:  August 9, 2026 at Ford Field Park in Dearborn, Michigan

Run the 313 5K:  August 22, 2026 at Palmer Park in Detroit, Michigan

Growler Gallop Atwater 10 Mile & 5K:  September 27, 2026 at Atwater Brewery in Detroit, Michigan

Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon & 7.5 Mile:  November 27, 2026 at Proud Lake Rec Area in Commerce Township, Michigan

Trail

Winter Trail Fest (WTF) East Half Marathon & 5 Mile:  February 14, 2026 at Island Lake Rec Area in Brighton, Michigan

Winter Trail Fest (WTF) West Half Marathon & 5 Mile:  February 21, 2026 at Yankee Springs Rec Area in Middleville, Michigan

Carpe Diem Carpe Noctem Morning & Evening Half Marathon & 10K:  April 11, 2026 at Proud Lake Rec Area in Commerce Township, Michigan

Summer Trail Fest Ultra (STFU) 50 Mile, 50K, Half Marathon, & 5 Mile:  June 13, 2026 Sleepy Hollow Rec Area in Laingsburg, Michigan

Moonlight Bootlegger 5k:  May 9, 2026 at Maybury State Park in Northville, Michigan

Wolverine State 100 100M, 100K, 100M Relay, & 50K:  October 10-11, 2026 from Petoskey to Alpena in Northern Michigan

Road

Thumb Coast Ultra & Relay 50M, 50K, & 50M Relay:  April 25, 2026 from Harbor Beach to Caseville in Michigan's Thumb

Rock CF Thumb Coast Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5K:  November 8, 2026 from Caseville to Port Austin in Michigan's Thumb

North Carolina

Road Mega Medal Series

Only Fools Run Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K:  March 28, 2026 at Jaycee Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

Pig Pounder Brewery 5K:  April 12, 2026 at the Pig Pounder Brewery in Greensboro, North Carolina

Elm Street Run Festival:  May 9, 2026 at LeBauer Park in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro Distilling Speakeasy 5k:  June 13, 2026 at Greensboro Distilling Co. and SouthEnd Brewing in Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro Half Marathon, 5K, & 1 Mile:  November 21, 2026 starting at Battleground Ave in Greensboro, North Carolina

Trail Mega Medal Series

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Half Marathon & 5 Mile:  January 17, 2026 at Northeast Park in Gibsonville, North Carolina

Northern Trails 17 Mile, 10 Mile & 5 Mile:  March 7, 2026 at Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina

Owls Roost Rumble Half Marathon & 4 Mile:  April 25, 2026 at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

Triple Lakes Trail Race 40 Mile, Marathon, & Half Marathon: October 24, 2026 at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler: November 27, 2026 at Snow Camp, North Carolina

Multisport Mega Medal Series

Belews Lake Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon: April 18, 2026 at Belews Lake Marina in Stokesdale, North Carolina

Cammack Sprint Triathlon:  June 20th, 2026 at Lake Cammack in Burlington, North Carolina

High Point Sprint Triathlon:  August 8, 2026 at Oak Hollow Marina in High Point, North Carolina

Belews Lake Olympic Triathlon & Duathlon:  September 12, 2026 at Belews Lake Marina in Stokesdale, North Carolina

Nat Greene's Revenge Triathlon & Duathlon: October 3, 2026 at Lake Brandt Marina in Greensboro, North Carolina

Multisport

Northeast Park Duathlon:  February 28, 2026 at Northeast Park in Gibsonville, North Carolina

Trail

Groundhog’s Lap Race: January 31, 2026 at Haw River State Park, North Carolina

Moonlight Bootlegger 5K:  May 2, 2026 at Hagan Stone Park in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina

Carpe Diem Carpe Noctem Morning & Evening Half Marathon & 10K:  September 12, 2026 at Hagan-Stone Park in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina

Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra & Relay:  September 19, 2026 in Danbury, North Carolina

Road

Running of the Lights:  January 1st at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, North Carolina

Blackbeard's Revenge 100 Ultra & Relay 100M, 100K, & 100M Relay:  March 21-22, 2026 in the Outer Banks in Corolla, North Carolina

Pennsylvania

End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Mile:  October 24-25, 2026 on the old Pennsylvania Turnpike in Waterfall, Pennsylvania

West Virginia

Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay 50M, 50K, & 50M Relay:  May 17, 2026 in New River Gorge National Park, running from Montgomery to Thurmond, West Virginia

Check out this comprehensive athlete guide to help answer all those nagging questions! 

Updated on 11/20/2025

If your team has 10+ members registered two weeks before race day, you’ll enjoy:

• A team tent set up by Trivium, featuring a banner with your club's name/logo
• Your registration packets, ready at the tent (skip packet pickup lines)
  •  In order for your race packet (shirt, bib, etc.) to be pulled and available at your club tent, you must be registered as part of the club by the Monday before the race at 11:59 pm EST.
• Dedicated club porta potties!
• Food, drinks, and goodies waiting for your team.

Check the Club/Teams tab and see how many people your team currently has registered!  Questions about Club Benefits? Reach out to Delaney at delaney@triviumracing.com.
 

Triple Lakes Trail Race Competition

• All clubs, regardless of size, are part of the club competition.
• Awards go to the winning club
• All finishes count toward the 2026 Trivium Club Cup Competition

How Club Scoring Works at Triple Lakes Trail Race

• All finishers earn 1 point just for completing the race, so the more runners your team brings, the more you score.
• Age group placement earns additional points, with top finishers scoring up to 20 points (1st place) and down to 2 points (for 16th–20th).
• Overall podium winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) earn double their age group points—for example, an overall 10K winner scores 41 points!
• Volunteers are a huge part of race day too, earning 5 points each for their club.

2026 Trivium Racing Club Competition

• All clubs who compete also earn points toward the Overall, 2026 Trivium Club Competition
• The Overall season winner will be treated to a club party and receive the club cup to proudly display for the next year!
• Points will start at 500 for first place and decrease by 50 points for each placement. (1st = 500, 2nd = 450, 3rd = 400, etc.)
• Clubs placing 11 – 20 will receive 25 points.
• Club placing 21 and up will receive 10 points.
   

Check out the full club cup schedule and how points are earned here:  https://triviumracing.com/cup-challenge/

Club Program

Love racing with your club/team with Trivium Racing?  Check out our Club Program!  Clubs receive a 10% discount code, a free race entry to raffle at run group, and can potentially partner to do more fun stuff!  Complete this form to request to participate.

Drop Bag information

• 40 Mile Runners will have the option to pack 1 Drop Bag that we will provide at packet pickup. 
• You may drop off your Drop Bag on race day. Mark your NAME and BIB # clearly on your bag. 
• You can pack any special food you will need, a change of clothes/shoes and/or a headlamp. 
• The drop bag will then be taken to Aid Station #7/8 at 7:45am…which you will pass twice – once at mile 18 and again at mile 23.3
• Drop bag dimensions: 20”x24”x4”

When you pick up your packet early, you can save time on race day and get any last-minute items you need to have a successful race!

• Date Friday, October 23rd
• Time 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Location Fleet Feet Greensboro, 3731 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455 

Present your bib at check out & receive a 10% discount! 

Early Packet Pick-Up | Friday, October 23rd

• Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM
• Where: Fleet Feet Greensboro, 3731 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455 

Race Day | Saturday, October 24th

• Packet Pickup
  • 6:30 am - 7:45 am
• 40 Mile and Marathon Start
  • 8:00 am
• Half Marathon Start
  • 8:30 am
•  Half Marathon Awards (approx.)
  • 10:30 am
• Course Closes
  • 8:00 pm

Important Course Cut-Offs: 

• Marathon: 12 hour time limit (27:30 minute per mile pace)​
  Laurel Bluff Trailhead (Church St) – mile 14.6 – 2:46pm​
  ​
• 40M: 12 hour time limit (18:00 minute per mile pace)​
  Townsend Trailhead at Yanceyville – mile 18 – must reach by 1:30 pm​
  Townsend Trailhead at Yanceyville (2) – mile 23.3 – must reach by 3:05 pm​
  Laurel Bluff Trailhead (Church St) – mile 26.7 – must reach by 4:08 pm​
  Nat Greene Trailhead on Old Battleground – mile 34 – must reach by 6:17 pm

Can I register on race day?

You can register race day if we don't sell out! Visit registration/ packet pickup table prior to race start. Online regisgtration will remain open through race morning. 

Can I walk the course?

All participants must meet the requirements of completing all distances before course closure (see COURSE page for time limits). If you cannot finish within time limits, we can't guarantee course support—which is paramount for your safety. Aid stations and medical support will become unavailable to participants as course time limits are reached. The race organizers may ask you to reroute to a shorter version of the course or DNF.

How can I check to see if I am registered?

Select "More" tab in Runsignup. Select "Participant Tracking" tab and enter your name.

What are the weather conditions?

Oct in North Carolina is usually perfect for running.  Average October Temperatures: Low 47° / High 68°.  But be warned, heat can be an issue.  Temps could be in the 80s. Sunrise 7:40 AM / Sunset 6:24 PM.

Do I have to wear my bib?

Numbers must be worn on the front and be clearly visible at all times.

Will the trail be well marked and visible with directional arrows?

The trails will be marked with surveyor flags, signs, tape and volunteers where needed. Markings will be very close together where there is a turn or the possibility of going in the wrong direction. They will be much further apart when there is a low possibility of going in the wrong direction. The trails are very simple to follow. Don't make unprompted turns and you should be fine.

Can I switch distances?

You can switch distances at any time prior to race day. 

Where are the Drop bag locations for the 40 mile participants?

Drop bags will be available at early packet pickup on Friday and at registration on race morning (one per athlete).  Mark the bag with your NAME and BIB #. On race morning, all drop bags will be take to Aid Station #3 (north end of Crockett Trail at N Church St - across from Laurel Bluff Trail) at 7:45am. Athletes will pass Aid Station #7/8 twice - once at mile 18 and again at mile 23.3.

Where can I throw away any trash?

Trash receptacles at designated aid stations. No littering on the trail. Anyone littering on the trail will risk disqualification from this and future races.

Can I pick up my friend/team packet?

You may pick up a packet for your friend, relay teammate, or the entire team. In fact, we encourage it!

This is a course map on Strava. You can view the course and elevation, as well as download a GPX file from this link to use with your running watch. 

Start: At Start Finish arch facing the Wildlife Building​
Head South on A and Y Greenway​
1.05 Turn Left onto Owls Roost Trail Entrance (middle/northern entrance) ​
1.25 Stay Right at split to take Owls Roost​
CONTINUE ON THE ENTIRETY OF OWLS ROOST TRAIL IN A COUNTER CLOCKWISE DIRECTION​
4.1 Turn Left to Start Shady Side​
5.9 Turn Right to continue to exit of Owls Roost​
6.1 Turn left to stay on Owls Roost ​
6.3 Quick Left/ Straight Across to enter Palmetto Trail​
7.8 Turn Left at Exit of Palmetto Trail onto Old Battleground/A&Y Greenway​
7.9 Turn Left to Enter Nat Greene Trail ​
8.7 Turn Left to exit Nat Greene Trail onto Greenway ​
9.1 Turn Right to Enter southernmost entrance of Owls Roost Trail​
9.3 Turn Right at split to take short route to Owls Roost/Shadyside Split​
9.4 Turn Right to begin Owls Roost​
12.7 Turn Right to exit Owls Roost Trail onto greenway)​
12.8 Turn Left onto field entrance near finish pavilion​
​

This is a course map on Strava. You can view the course and elevation, as well as download a GPX file from this link to use with your running watch. 

 Start: At Start Finish arch facing the Wildlife Building​
Head South on A and Y Greenway​
1.05 Turn Left onto Owls Roost Trail Entrance (middle/northern entrance) ​
1.25 Stay Right at split to take Owls Roost​
CONTINUE ON THE ENTIRETY OF OWLS ROOST TRAIL IN A COUNTER CLOCKWISE DIRECTION​
4.1 Turn Left to Start Shady Side​
5.9 Turn Right to continue to exit of Owls Roost​
6.1 Turn left to stay on Owls Roost ​
6.3 Quick Left/ Straight Across to enter Palmetto Trail​
7.8 Turn Left at Exit of Palmetto Trail onto Old Battleground/A&Y Greenway​
7.9 Turn Left to Enter Nat Greene Trail ​
8.7 Continue Straight over Greenway to continue on Nat Greene Trail​
11.3 Turn Left to continue over Marina drive​
11.5 Exit Nat Greene extension onto Lake Brandt/Crossover Lake Brandt​
11.6 Enter Laurel Bluff Trail​
14.6 Turn Left onto Church St.​
14.8 Turn Left onto Reedy Fork Trail​
18.1 Turn Left onto Lake Brandt Rd. ​
18.5 Enter Nat Greene Extension​
18.6 Crossover Marina Parking lot and continue on Nat Greene Trail​
21.2 Turn Right to exit Nat Greene Trail onto Greenway ​
21.6 Turn Right to Enter southernmost entrance of Owls Roost Trail​
21.8 Turn Right at split to take short route to Owls Roost/Shadyside Split​
21.9 Turn Right to begin Owls Roost ​
25.2 Turn Right to exit Owls Roost Trail onto greenway​
25.3 Turn Left onto field entrance near finish pavilion​

Pacer information

• Pacers are only allowed for the 40 Mile distance 
• Pacers can assist the 40 Mile participant anywhere on the course
• Pacers do not carry hydration or nutrition for the participant.
• Pacers, please be aware that the course fuel and food is for the athletes racing, while you are allowed to have some, please try to supply as much of your own as possible
• Pacers MUST wear a pacer bib while on the course
• Pacers must register as a Pacer:
  • Pacers can click this link to register as a Pacer before race day. The Pacer will pick up their bib on race morning
  • Pacers can register to be a Pacer on race morning at packet pick-up. They must sign a waiver and will receive a pacer bib.

Parking will be available throughout Bur-Mil Park.  When you enter Bur Mil Park, (from Owl’s Roost Road) there are two paved parking lots on your left and limited grass parking near the start finish/line at the back of the park. The race start/finish will be all the way in the back of the park (continue walking on Bur Mil Park Rd until you reach the back of the park). 

This race will be chip timed with disposable bib-chips. Athletes must wear their race number on the front and visible at all times for safety purposes.

All Finishers will receive a custom Triple Lakes race medal. 

Awards will be presented to the following categories:

• Top 3 Male, Female and Non-Binary in the Half Marathon, Marathon and 40 Mile.
• Top 3 Male and Top 3 Female in the Half Marathon Ruck and Marathon Ruck.
• Top Relay Team in Marathon and 40 Mile.
• Half Marathon Age Group Winners:
  • Top 3 Male and Top 3 Female in each age group listed below:
    • Age Groups: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
• Marathon & 40 Mile Age Group Winners
  • Top 3 Male and Top 3 Female in each age group listed below:
    • Age Groups: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ 
• Awards not picked up on race day will be subject to a $10 shipping fee. Awards will only be mailed 2 weeks from the event date.
   

Triple Lakes Trail Race offers a referral code program. This is a fun & easy way to get your friends to sign up to race with you, plus you get a little money back on your registration fee!

Referral incentives

• Half Marathon Participants: Refer 5 people who sign up to race and you get a $25 race registration refund
• Marathon Participants (Individual & Relay): Refer 5 people who sign up to race and you get a $25 race registration refund
• 40 Mile Participants (Individual & Relay): Refer 4 people who sign up to race and you get a $25 race registration refund

How does this work? Share your specific referral code link that you were given when you signed up to race. Once you get the above-mentioned people to register using your code, you will get your registration refund. Start sharing your link today!

You can also locate your personal referral link by clicking this link for instructions.

View testimonials from past participants

 "Out of the ten half marathons I’ve done, this is the second one I’d be willing to do again!" - Anonymous 

"So excited that I did this and can’t wait for next year!" - Patti B

To get you ready for race day, we will be offering a Preview Run & Virtual Clinics! Stay tuned for the 2026 dates! In the meantime, check out the information for the 2025 Preview Run & Virtual Clinics.

Preview Run Details

• Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
• Location: Bur-Mil Park, 5834 Bur Mill Club Rd., Greensboro, NC US 27410 | Meet at the Wildlife Center
• Time: Arrive by 8:00 AM to be ready to run by 8:15 AM
• Participants MUST fill out the waiver to participate in the Preview Run.
  • Click here to complete the waiver

Routes

• 10 Mile Preview Route- https://www.strava.com/routes/3261852212637222166
• 15 Mile Preview Route- https://www.strava.com/routes/3261856149151380320
• 20 Mile Preview Route- https://www.strava.com/routes/3261853817264733620

Note that the trails will not be marked for the Preview Run. Each participant should study the maps and/or download the GPX files for the event. 

Virtual Clinic Details

• Date: Wednesday, October 1st
• Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
• Details: RD Becky will go over important race details and answer questions
• Replay: Click this link to watch the replay

40 Mile Virtual Clinic

• Date: Monday, October 20th
• Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST
• Details: RD Becky will review more information specific to the 40-mile distance & answer questions.
• Replay: Click this link to watch the replay

All teams must follow these rules:

• Team Size: 2 or more people.
• All aid stations (excluding Aid Station #1) will be “Relay exchanges zones”.
• Both runners must check in at the aid station in which an exchange is made.
• Each runner on the team will have their own bib number. (All team members not currently running must take OFF their bib number before coming to the finish line)
• Relay “leg” distance is up to the team, but exchanges MUST be done at an exchange zone only.
• Runners do not have to run an equal number of legs or distances; however, every team member must run at least one leg.
• All general athlete rules and gear requirements apply to relay team participants.

Click the pdf below to download a the relay guide with an updated aid station chart with clickable links. 

Those wishing to race in the ruck category must provide their own pack/vest and weight. Ruckers and their packs/vests will both be pre-weighed 20 minutes prior to the race at the starting line.

• Ruckers Under 150lbs must have a pack/vest with 20 lbs
• Ruckers Over 150lbs must have a pack/vest with 30 lbs

Additional Rules:

• Ruck weight must be on the athlete at all times.
• No specific pack is required.
• Ruck weight may be a combination of the pack and the weight.
• Ruck weight may not be consumable

If you would like more information about rucking, click here.

The year was 1767, off the coast of Kill Devils Hill in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The British Royal Navy was in hot pursuit of the most dangerous pirate of the century, Captain William Dare. As they penetrated through the thick morning fog, they saw Captain Dare’s ship, the Bad Intention, washed ashore. On approach they quickly realized that it had been abandoned.
 
Captain Dare and his crew headed inland with hopes that if they went far enough, they could disperse amongst the commoners and blend in. After two weeks of almost non-stop pursuit, they arrived in a sparsely populated area that would become Greensboro, NC. Exhausted and sure that they could not evade capture, they buried three casks that they desperately wanted to keep out of the Royal Navy’s hands.
 
One cask is said to have carried treasure. Rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and other precious stones. Another is said to have carried coins of pure gold. And the last is said to have carried the “spirits” of their past crew mates. Within days of burying the three casks, they were captured, tortured, and burned alive at the stake. The Royal Navy never did recover the casks.
 
Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins, and Lake Townsend were all developed around 1925 as natural reservoirs for Guilford County. Historians believe that coincidentally, these lakes happened to be created on top of the three casks, further impeding the capability of ever recovering them.
 
In 2004, a young John Dewey, decided to pay homage to the legend by creating a trail race that would cover pieces of each of the three lakes. Each year, trail runners far and wide come to run Triple Lakes Trail Race and pay their respects to the old pirate. John has passed the torch from person to person and since 2021, the race is now shepherded, by Rich Swor and Trivium Racing.  Trivium is excited to add the to legend and continue the tradition.
 
As luck would have it, during a trail run in 2018, a cask washed up on the shores of Lake Brandt, on the Owl’s Roost Trail. After carefully opening it, to race director Joe's delight, it was neither gems nor gold, but the “spirits” of the old crew… RUM! Starting in 2018, all of the winners of the Triple Lakes Trail Races, are given a wooden mug, that entitles them to the rum for the entirety of their lives. And their names are emblazoned on to the cask for eternity… #defendthecask

To complete your virtual race and receive your finisher medal and shirt, follow these steps:

• Run your race at a place and time of your choosing.
• Track your time with a watch or fitness app.
• Report your time on our results page by clicking "Submit Virtual Results" at the top of the page. Results can be submitted anytime between October 1st and October 24th. Don't forget to share your virtual race selfies too!

Shirts and finisher medals will be mailed within 10 days of the in-person race day. International shipping will incur an additional fee. Contact us for a quote. Please double check that your mailing address is correct on your registration before race day.  No packets will be available after November 10th.

Any changes to virtual on or after race day will be subject a shipping charge.

Virtual participants are not eligible for awards. 

Regular Registration

• Custom Race Medal (This race is part of the NC Trail Mega Medal Series.)
• Custom Triple Lakes Race Shirt
• Chip timing and fast finish results
• Race photography
• Live tracking for participants and spectators through RaceJoy
• Awesome Aid along the course at multiple aid stations
• Post-race food and beverages

Virtual Registration

• Custom Race Medals
• Custom Triple Lakes Race Shirt

2026 Custom Medal + Mega Medal