RIP, Coach Bubba

Unfortunately, the Coach Bubba 4-miler and 20k run put on annually by Carolina Godiva running club in Durham will not return in 2010 because of problems getting the 20k course approved through the municipal process. Hopefully this great event will return in 2011. I really enjoyed running it in 2008.

That's a big setback for the local running scene and hopefully isn't a leading indicator for a more aggressive approach being taken by municipalities towards running events. And it's a shame that charitable beneficiaries like the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, both of which were helped out by the Coach Bubba race, won't see any benefits from the event. And with the great reputation of both Carolina Godiva and Coach Bubba, the race was probably pulling in some out-of-town runners that benefited the local economy more than it was impacted by a few street closures and slow intersections during the event.

Hopefully municipalities and running event organizers can find a middle ground where these events can go on, whether it takes some more creativity with race course design or proactive leadership from the city. Many local leaders talk about fighting the loss of activity and decrease in overall health because of obesity, but it doesn't help to shut down outdoor exercise opportunities. Come back soon, Coach Bubba!