All the race spots are filled. Registration is closed. There will be no day-of registration available. Thank you to everyone who registered early for our 10th Anniversary!
Pine Cone Pacer Adverse Weather Policy and Notification Timeline
Only happening once a year each April, 150 runners gather in woods near Durham for an incredible running experience through the teaching and research laboratory known as Duke Forest. This fun 5k course is one of the most scenic runs or walks in the region.
On this special 10th anniversary of the Pine Cone Pacer: The Duke Forest 5K we will celebrate 10 years of running in this race and supporting the mission of the Duke Forest—the living laboratory in your backyard. We will have music provided by old-time, swing, bluegrass aficianado Cary Moskowitz and a breakfast treats for everyone to greet runners as they return. We encourage everyone to bring their friends and families to enjoy an extended morning in the Duke Forest and help us celebrate 10 years of fun.
Six overall prizes and eight age division prizes are awarded. Every racer will receive a registration bag filled with goodies, and numerous prizes will be raffled off. No one walks away empty-handed! Are you up for the challenge and the fun?!
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2019 Race Info
Registration
Registration opens on February 4th on this page. Pre-registration (closed as of 4/3) is $25 and guarantees you a freshly designed, properly sized T-shirt! Pre-registration closes at the end of the day on Monday, April 1st. Day-of registration is $35 (Cash and checks ONLY!) but we expect to sell all 150 registrations before the race. Please check this website the night before the race. If you do not have a spot, we still encourage you to come out and celebrate with us after! Please note that T-shirts and sizes cannot be guaranteed for Day of Registrants.
Race Details
- Date: Saturday, April 13th, 2019
- Check-In & Day-of Registrations Opens: 7:15 AM
- Check-In & Day-of Registration Closes: 7:45 AM
- Race Starts: 8:00 AM
Directions and Parking
The Pine Cone Pacer will take place in the Durham Division of the Duke Forest, located just off of NC-751. Check-in and race start occurs inside Gate 12 (Google Map link).
Directions and parking information ››
Route
The Pine Cone Pacer is a beautiful and challenging 5 kilometer (3.1 mi) run through the Duke Forest. Though many runners will be running to try to match their best time, many of our runners and walkers will choose to take it slow and enjoy the many landscapes of our Durham Division.
Learn more about the course and see a map here ››
All runners will be timed according to their bib number thanks to our friends from Carolina Godiva Track Club. It is important to arrive early and ensure you bibbed up, stretched out, and ready to “run the cones”. Note: for those very serious about their times, there may be momentary delays at the crossings of 751 for safety from oncoming traffic.
A Special Invitation to Duke Alumni
Duke Alumni, we plan the Pine Cone Pacer every year on Reunion weekend so that you can enjoy a fun opportunity to get out in your Forest while your back visiting your alma mater. Please join us and celebrate the Duke Forest, one of the coolest parts of the Duke experience. Please register online through this site. While registration for the Pine Cone Pacer: the Duke Forest 5k is not part of your Reunion Weekend fees, it will be a highlight of your trip back home to Duke!
Thank you to our generous 2019 sponsors!
Longleaf Pine Sponsors
 | Broadway Veterinary Hospital bvhdurham.com |
Shortleaf Pine Sponsors
 | Skanska USA Building Inc. skanska.com |
 | Summit Design and Engineering Services summitde.net |
 | Carolina Godiva Track Club carolinagodiva.org |
 | Mid-Atlantic Infrastructure Systems, Inc. midatlanticinfrastructure.net |
 | Jacob’s Contracting, LLC |
 | 9th Street Active Feet 9saf.com |
 | Creedmoor Fuel creedmoorfuel.com |
 | Mid-Atlantic Stihl stihlusa.com |
Loblolly Pine Sponsors
 | Canterbury by Pulte Homes pulte.com/canterbury |
 | Capital Electric Supply (Durham) capitalelectricsupply.com |
 | Camp Bow Wow North Durham campbowwow.com/north-durham |
 | Dickerson Fence dickersonfenceco.com |
 | Gregory Poole gregorypoole.com |
Supporting Sponsors
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Sponsorship
Interested in supporting the Duke Forest Improvement Fund through sponsorship of the Pine Cone Pacer: The Duke Forest 5K? Be a part of one of the most fun and beautiful races in our region, and support the teaching and research mission of Duke’s largest laboratory, right here in your backyard!
View our 2019 Sponsorship Package
Donation
Can’t make it to the 2019 race, but want to contribute to our Improvement Fund? Maybe you can make it out to the race, but are inspired to be a part of the legacy of the Duke Forest. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation online.
or download, complete, and mail in this form.