# Winter Blues > A trail relay race - **When:** Sat, Feb 6, 2027 · 7:00 AM CST - **Where:** Warner Parks, 50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221, USA - **Hosted by:** Wise Owl Races - **Event page:** https://runthis.run/event/winter-blues ## Registration Register on Run This at https://runthis.run/event/winter-blues ## Distances - **4 Person Relay (All Day)** — $40.00 - **Solo (All Day)** — $50.00 ## Description **Winter Blues is back for year 3.** Conquer your mid-winter sadness at the 3rd Annual Winter Blues, an all-day trail relay where your team races the sun on the Blue Trail at Edwin Warner Park. The event starts just after sunrise and ends at sunset. With every lap, the stakes rise as teams compete to complete the most laps before the sun goes down. ## How It Works ## **How it works** We’ll begin the events from Basecamp. For team events, runner 1 of each team will then run a 2.5mi lap of the blue trail, counterclockwise, to the right at the trailhead - the opposite of last year! When any runner finishes a lap, they'll come back to Basecamp, report the lap to the RDs / on the scoreboard, and tag in the next runner on their team, if applicable. Runner 2 then does the same thing, etc… and repeat until sunset! The team with the most completed laps in each division wins. Note: there will be some flexibility if teams need to change the runner order or if someone can no longer keep running. We will also be staggering the start in groups of ~3 by 30 seconds or so to keep the park happy. More to come. ## Official Rules ## **OFFICIAL RELAY RULES** 1. The final lap must be completed by sunset; if a runner goes out for a lap and does not complete the lap before the minute FOLLOWING official race end time (per the clock of the race director), this lap will not count; in other words, the final lap must be *completed *by the time the clock strikes 5:31pm on the clock of the RDs 2. ALL Runners must check in at Basecamp after EVERY lap and report that they completed a lap (you too, Solo runners!) 3. If a runner is not able to join leading up to the event, a team may participate with a minimum of 3 runners if they are not able to find a replacement (all runners must register and sign waivers) 4. Each runner on a team must complete at least one lap of the trail if they are physically present at the event, barring injury 5. The runners on each team may run in any order, and may change up the “batting order” throughout the day… However, we recommend keeping the same order throughout, as it will help minimize confusion and transition time 6. A team runner may complete multiple laps in a row 7. However, they must come check in at Basecamp in between each lap in order to get credit for their team 8. Furthermore, runners are encouraged to complete the event in traditional relay style, doing one lap at a time and then passing the proverbial baton to their next teammate 9. No one runner per team may do more than half of their team’s total laps for the event 10. Teams do not have to continue completing laps from sunrise until sunset (e.g., if they get tired), but it is highly encouraged to do so! 11. Tie-breaker rules: 12. If, at the end of the event, multiple teams have the same number of laps completed, the team who completed their last lap first wins (just like last year) ## **Park Rules We Agree To** Runners will yield to other trail users, especially people with children, dogs, etc. Runners will slow down and announce themselves, e.g. “On your left,” before passing anyone moving in the same direction, whether they are part of this event or not. Runners will run on the Blue Trail at all times, except between Basecamp and the trailhead, will not cut corners or switchbacks, and will not take shortcuts. No running together in groups of larger than 3. No closed-ear headphones are permitted while on the trail. No littering of any kind; no disposable cups will be provided during this event. ## Basecamp ## **Basecamp** Between laps on the trail, Basecamp at the park pavilions, #6a, 6b, and 10 at Edwin Warner, promises amazing vibes, including a fire and heaters if cold, a potluck of sorts, games, and a community united by the thrill of the trail and being outside. ## Schedule ## **Schedule** *(tentative)* Teams may start arriving after 6am Check-in: will begin by 6:45am (find RUN THIS / Check-in table to do so) Start time: 7:30am CST End time: Just after Sunset (5:30pm CST) - *last lap must be completed before 5:31pm* ## Route To be updated ## Awards ## **Most Laps Completed** The team or individual with the most laps in each category wins a to be determined award. ## **Categories in each event** - Women - Open (Men / Co-ed / Non-binary) ## **Tiebreaker rules** The team or individual who finishes their final lap first wins. ## Fundraising **Fundraising** Your team and solo runners have the option to open a fundraiser. You and your teammates can share a link to anyone and they can donate publicly or anonymously to your team. The donation is all handled by Run This and is added to your team’s total donations raised. Our fundraiser also benefit Park Center Nashville, a local mental health non-profit, and Friends of Warner Parks. ## Day-of Details ## **Warmth** Dress appropriately! If it will be cold, dress warm! Both for running and between laps. Bring a heavy coat, extra socks, etc... We will have at least one community fire at the pavilion(s) we are renting for the event that you are welcome to gather around! We may have other fires, too, if it is cold enough to warrant that. No personal participant fires are allowed, but you are allowed to bring a propane heater or other heat sources of the like. We want to treat the area with respect and be able to host this event year after year so ask yourself, "Would this event be allowed to happen next year if I do this?" ## **Tents, Your Setup, and Trailgating** We will have 3 shelters/pavilions, with roofs, booked for the day with a community fire as mentioned. We also recommend that each team bring your own lawn/camp chairs and pop-up tent if possible, but it needs to remain close to the pavilions we are renting, 6a, 6b, and 10. We are not renting the entire park, so we can't spread out super far from Basecamp. We had a fun line of team tents set up between the pavilions last year, and it looked like a big trailgating party. ## **Trash and Park Respect** As you're probably aware, this was a massive win for the running community for Metro Parks to allow us to host this event. Therefore, we need to go above and beyond to treat the park and our Basecamp area with respect. All trash must be thrown in the provided trash bins. No gels or running trash is to be left on the course. If you see something, please help us pick it up and take care of the park we're celebrating in our backyard. If the park is not respected, races and events like this will likely never happen again in Nashville Parks. ## **Dogs** Feel free to bring your dog only if it is leashed 24/7 and well-behaved. Any dogs must abide by the parks rules while running or hanging with our group. If your pet is causing any discomfort in the group, the dog will be asked to leave. No exceptions. ## By the Numbers ## **By the Numbers** *(Potential to change a bit)* Start time: 7am CST for all-day event End time: 5:20pm CST Total time on trail per team: 10hrs, 20mins, all day Lap distance: ~2.5mi, with ~400ft of climbing Avg. Lap time: 20-45min, depending on pace! Avg. Projected Laps per 4-person team: 15-30, will vary significantly for solo runners Avg. Projected Laps per runner: 3-7, 4-person team Avg. Projected Distance per runner: 8-17mi, 4-person team, if the team divides laps evenly ## Park Rules We Agree To ## **Park Rules We Agree To** Runners will yield to other trail users, especially people with children, dogs, etc. Runners will slow down and announce themselves, e.g. “On your left,” before passing anyone moving in the same direction, whether they are part of this event or not. Runners will run on the Blue Trail at all times, except between Basecamp and the trailhead, will not cut corners or switchbacks, and will not take shortcuts. No running together in groups of larger than 3. No closed-ear headphones are permitted while on the trail. No littering of any kind; no disposable cups will be provided during this event. --- Source: [https://runthis.run/event/winter-blues](https://runthis.run/event/winter-blues) — data from Run This (runthis.run).