Courses
Our 5K trail course in JR Alford Greenway was measured to USATF standards in 2016. In 2020 Leon County established a permanent marked Bluebird Trail measuring 3.3 miles. It has a minor variation at the start, but follows nearly all of our 5K course. So you can enjoy a Bluebird loop anytime there is daylight.
The 5K Loop Course will run through the trails of J.R. Alford Greenway. Both runners and walkers may participate in this chip-timed* event. We will again have two water stations in strategic places on the course a little past the one mile and two mile marks.
This course features mostly wide multi-use trails with gently rolling terrain. The first half of the course runs along a grassy trail bordered by meadow on one side and woods on the other. You will encounter many scenic views and running surfaces on the course.
Forty bluebird houses are installed throughout the greenway and you will pass by many of them. Much of the second half of the course is through woodlands and into the sandy bottom of the greenway. A moderate hill on crushed shell is just past the two mile mark. The finish crosses a picturesque wide-open meadow.
The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk will take runners and walkers out and back across the Lafayette Heritage Trail Canopy Bridge. This covered pedestrian bridge was designed to safely cross the railroad tracks and link the Lafayette Heritage Trail with J.R. Alford Greenway.
The course begins in the J.R. Alford Greenway on a wide flat path through woods to the bridge where participants will be treated to beautiful vistas of Lake Piney Z from tree-top level. Then the bridge descends gradually through the trees back to ground level on the other side. An aid station will be at the turnaround or half-way point on the other side of the bridge.
You may feel like spending a little time off the course by continuing right down to the lake where a few benches skirt the path overlooking the water. Just make it back in time for the awards program.
Timing is an option at registration. Enjoy the scenery and have fun!
Directions: From Mahan Drive go south on Pedrick Road 2.4 miles to Greenway entrance. From Buck Lake Road go south on Pedrick Road 1.6 miles to Greenway entrance.