Trails closed - land routes changed

It's not this high, but still over the dam.

Following is an article that will be in tomorrow's News Reporter.

Unusually heavy rains this season have closed the Lake Waccamaw State Park trails for the upcoming Take the Lake and Take the Lake X-TREME! events later this month, changing routes for both land-based Personal Endurance Challenges.

Park Superintendent Toby Hall gave three reasons why conditions are expected to be unsafe for even the X-TREME! competitors, a much 

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smaller and athletic group.

Water over the dam would endanger participants carrying their bicycles, the trails near the dam are muddy and slick, and mosquitos are abundant, Hall said.

The X-TREME! on August 24, will be based in front of Dale’s Restaurant as planned, but the two dozen competitors will cycle in a 22-mile “horseshoe” route to the state park visitors center and back, then to the dam and back.

They will walk or run from Dale’s to the dam and back.

For the Labor Day weekend events, even the start of the Walk / Run will change. 

Onsite registration will begin Saturday at 7:15 a.m. at Elizabeth Brinkley Park, off Sam Potts Highway. Participants will walk or run to the dam and back. 

New this year, preregistered people who would like an “early release” may leave any time after 7:15.

On Sunday, both the paddle and the Bike & Hike will leave from Dale’s. The Bike & Hike route will be the same “horseshoe” as last year, described above. 

Organizers are discouraging high-speed cyclists who find the all-roadway route appealing. The Bike & Hike is not promoted as a race, and the course is not prepared for that activity. With more than 500 cyclists participating on an open course, safety is a major concern.

Registration will be shut down late Friday, August 23, with bib pick-up and shirt sales at the Greater Whiteville Chamber of Commerce the following week. Anyone not registered by August 23 must wait in line at the event starts.

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