540 Fest

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Celebrate the Complete 540 Project with us! As we approach the grand opening of the first phase of the Complete 540 Project, we want to celebrate with all the community members who made this project possible.

Folks from all around the Triangle will come together to celebrate the extension of the Triangle Expressway from N.C. 55 to I-40, connecting Apex, Cary, Clayton, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Raleigh and other local communities.

Don't miss your one and only chance to run or ride on the beautiful new Toll N.C. 540 pavement before the road opens!



540 Fest features:

• Free parking at Wake Technical Community College Southern Wake Campus with shuttle buses to and from the event
• Music and entertainment
• Kids' zone
• Food and drink

• Feature races:
  • 5K running race:  Runners receive an event shirt and finisher medal to commemorate 540 Fest.
  • Cycling time trials options:
    • 10K individual time trial.  No eBikes.
    • 10K eBike Individual Time Trial.  eBikes only.  No awards.
    • 10K team time trial.  Teams consist of four to eight cyclists riding in a pace line. Teams must have at least four finishers to qualify.  Each team's time is the average of the first four finishers' times.  No eBikes permitted.
    • Cyclists receive an event shirt to commemorate 540 Fest.
  • JUST ADDED:  The Duathlon Challenge:  Run the 5K race then head to the bike start to line up to ride the 10K Individual Time Trial.  Your separate 5K Run and 10K Individual Time Trial times are combined in the time-ranked online results.  (Registration for this event is now open) 

Registration Prices:

• 5K Race:
  • Through April 30:  $30
  • May 1 - May 31:   $35
  • June 1 - June 19:  $40
  • June 20 - June 22: $45
• 10K Time Trial (Individual or team member):
  • Through April 30:  $23
  • May 1 - May 31:   $28
  • June 1 - June 19:  $33
  • June 20 - June 22: $35
• REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the Run/Bike Duathlon Challenge (includes 5K run & 10K individual time trial):
  • Through April 30:  $48
  • May 1 - May 31:   $58
  • June 1 - June 19:  $68
  • June 20 - June 22: $70

Event Schedule:

• Advanced Check-In & Registration:  TBA
• Saturday June 22:
  • Parking shuttle bus from Wake Tech parking to the run check-in (on NC-540):
    • All participants, family and friends park at Wake Tech and look for the shuttle bus signs in the parking lot.
    • Registered runners only:  6:45 AM - 7:30 AM
    • Registered runners and friends/family:  7:30 - 12 PM
    • Duathlon Run/Bike Challenge: Park at Wake Tech and follow the event signs to ride to the bike check-in area on NC-540.  After checking in for bike proceed to the run check-in area on the opposite side of the divided highway.
  • Registration/Check-In:
    • 5K Race:  7 AM - 7:50 AM
    • 10K Time Trial (individual and team):  10K time trial cyclists must check-in at the bike check-in area between 7:00 and 9:00 AM.
    • Duathlon Run/Bike Challengers:  Plan to arrive at Wake Tech by 7 AM to allow time to ride to the highway, check in at the bike check in area, and get to the 5K start before 8 AM.  After parking at Wake Tech, follow the signs to ride the coned off lane of Fayetteville Road and the highway entrance ramp.  You will enter the highway near the bike check-in area.  After checking in for the time trial and getting your helmet chip/bib, proceed to the run start area on the opposite side of the highway.  Note:  Your will wear the race bib number you receive at bike check in IN FRONT for both the run and ride.  You will also have a helmet timing chip used only for the time trial.
  • Race Start:
    
    • The 5K race starts promptly at 8:00 AM
    • 10K time trial riders (individual and team) start between 8:00 and 9:30 AM.  First starter at  8 AM.  Last starter at 9:30 AM.  
  • Post-Race festivities continue until 12 PM.

Details for Duathlon Run/Bike Challengers:

• You will park at Wake Tech and ride your bike (following our signs) in a coned-off lane of Fayetteville Rd and down the ramp to the new highway.  As you enter the new highway you will see the Bike Check-In where you will receive everything you need for both the 5K Race and the 10K Time Trial (a race bib/chip, a bike helmet chip, and a helmet sticker).  You will then ride your bike over to the 5K Race/Post-Race Party side of the highway (there is a cross-over near the bridge overpasswhere you can go to the other side).  Bring a lock and lock you bike either on our bike racks near the post-race party area or on the road-divider cables in the median.  Proceed to the 5K race start.
• After the 5K race get you bike and ride back over the bike side of the highway (watching for bike race traffic) and ride to the 10K start line where you will line up and our race official will start you.
• After the 10K TT you may head back over to the post-race area for ice cream, drinks, and music.  You will return to parking the same way you arrived.

Notes:

• Dogs are not permitted.  The pavement in late June is simply too hot and presents a danger to pets.
• eBikes ARE permitted to ride the 10K individual cycling time trial, but will not be eligible for 10K TT or Challenge awards.  eBikes are NOT permitted in the 10K Team Time Trial.  Any team with an eBike rider will be disqualified.

Race Awards

Parking and Shuttles:

Parking for all participants is at Wake Technical Community College - Southern Wake Campus (9101 Fayetteville Rd, Raleigh NC 27603).

Buses will transport all runners, friends and family from the parking lot to the event on Toll NC 540.  All participants will check in for the event on the roadway after exiting the shuttle bus.

Cyclists will ride from Wake Tech parking on a coned/dedicated lane on Fayetteville Rd and down to the new 540 roadway where they will check in for the time trials.

Shuttle buses will be returning participants and friends/family to Wake Tech parking throughout the event.