Outdoor activity calendar

n Cumming Marathon/Half Marathon/5K. 7:15 a.m./7:30 a.m./4 p.m. Nov. 7, Cumming Fairgrounds 235 Castleberry Rd. Relays and virtual options available. $40-$200. www.runnersfit.com. n Leaves & Tree Gazing Guided Hike, Gainesville. Guided 3-mile hike in Chicopee Woods to see fall foliage, 8-9:45 a.m. Nov. 7, Elachee Nature Science Center, gravel overflow parking lot, 2125 Elachee Dr. No hike in rain. Best for individuals and families with children age 12 and older. Parking $5. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976. n Live Animal Exhibit Showcase, Gainesville. Meet snakes and other resident animals of Elachee Nature Center, 11-11:45 a.m., 1-1:45 p.m. Nov. 7, 14 & 21, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $5 adults, $3 children ages 2-12, free to Elachee members. $5 parking. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976. n Farm Animal Fun Days, Sautee Nacoochee. Learn about livestock kept on historic farm, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 7, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $6 per person, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077. n Veterans Appreciation Day, Sautee Nacoochee. Free admission to veterans, active service members and their families, Nov. 11, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. www.gastateparks.org, 6706-878-1077.

n Cumming Steam Engine, Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Exposition. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 13 & 14, Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. www.cummingfair.net. n Biscuits & Brew 5K/Sugar Hill. 8:30 a.m. Nov. 14, Rushing Trading Co., 5029 W. Broad St. Virtual option available. $30-$40. www.fivestarntp.com. n Get Basted Turkey Trot, Cumming. 5K 8 a.m. Nov. 22, North Forsyth Middle School, 3645 Coal Mountain Dr. Virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon available. $17. www.fivestarntp.com n Turkey Can Run 5K, Jefferson. 8 a.m. Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day, First Baptist Church, 248 Washington St. $12-$25. Canned food donation appreciated. www.runnersfit.com. n Five Star Turkey Trot, Johns Creek. 5K 8 a.m. Nov.26, 3835 Johns Creek Pkwy. Virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon available. $17. www.fivestarntp.com. n Limestone Turkey Trot 5K/10K/Half Marathon, Gainesville. 8 a.m. Nov. 26, American Legion, Riverside Dr. Virtual option available. $35-$50. Donation of three canned goods appreciated for Georgia Mountain Food Bank. www.runnersfit.com. n Gobble Wobble 5K/Kids Fun Run, Cumming. 8:30/9:30 a.m. Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day. See website for location. Virtual option available. $20-$35. www.runnersfit.com.

n Dahlonega Old Fashioned Christmas. Nov. 27-Jan. 1, includes Nov. 27 Lighting of the Square, Santa visits, carriage rides, wine tours, festival of trees, arts exhibits and more. www.dahlonega.org. n Holiday Tree Trail, Gainesville. Discover holiday trees decorated by artists, businesses and staff, hours to be announced, beginning Dec. 1, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Garden admission. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. n Swim with Santa, Gainesville. Decorate an ornament, swim indoors with Santa, 6-6:45 p.m. ages 5 and younger; 7-7:45 p.m. ages 6 and older, Dec. 4, Frances Meadows Aquatic Center, 1545 Community Way. $10 per child, adults free. Register by Nov. 30. www.gainesville.org, 770-533-5850. n Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm, Sautee Nacoochee. See historic farm mansion in period holiday décor, learn about Victorian Christmas traditions from docents dressed in 1870s attire; includes live music, 4-7 p.m. Fri. & Sat. Dec. 4-19, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $7-$12, free to children 5 and younger, $5 parking. Registration required. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077. Ongoing n Uncle Shucks Corn Maze/Pumpkin Patch, Dawsonville. Through Nov. 25. 4-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. 125 Bannister Rd., Dawsonville. Also wagon rides and bonfire. $5-$22. www.uncleshucks.com, 770 772-6223. n Buford Corn Maze. Through Nov. 15. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun, plus 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 4470 Bennett Rd. $15-$25. Also hayrides, kids’ farm fun, pony rides, farm animals. www.bufordcornmaze.com. 678-835-7198. n Jaemor Farms 14th Annual Corn Maze, Alto. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 7, 1-7 p.m. Nov. 8. 5340 Cornelia Hwy, Ga.365. $14-$16. Also hayrides, apple cannon, pumpkin train, farm games, duck race. www.jaemorfarms.com, 770 869-3999, 770 869-0999.

n Kinsey Family Farm, Gainesville/Cumming. Families plan a fall pilgrimage for hayrides, fish and farm animal feedings, farm products apples, pumpkins, fall decorations. Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. $3 hayrides. 7170 Jot Em Down Rd, www.kinseyfamilyfarm.com, 770 887-6028. n Burt’s Farm, Dawsonville. Pumpkins galore, scenic hayrides, pumpkin pies and seasonal decorations, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 10. Hayrides 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Burt’s Farm Rd. Hayrides $6, free to children 2 and younger. No pets or firearms. www.burtsfarm.com. 706 2653701. n First Visit Tour, Helen. Van tour to covered bridge, Duke’s Creek, and cottages, 10-11:30 a.m. first Saturdays through Dec., Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5 parking. 706-878-3087, www.gastateparks.org. - Compiled by Jane Harrison See LLOP calendar for other outdoor activities, including paddling and rowing. See Don Carter State Park Facebook page for park activities. Please note: Some events may be postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please call or visit website prior to your trip.

By Jane Harrison

When gatherings of panting runners and walkers flocking down streets and trails got stopped in their tracks early last spring, Zack Loggins got concerned about his business. In a normal year, Race Works, based at Runners Fit in Flowery Branch, helps run about 165 events a year, from 5Ks and 10Ks to half marathons, cross country competitions, and bicycle races. Before the coronavirus hit, Loggins and staff packed up digital clocks and laptops to document finish times at about five races per weekend all over the Southeast. “This year, we were lucky to do five a month,” he said.

The challenges spawned innovations that not only kept Race Works working, but also got a lot of folks out of the house for physical activity. Virtual races took off. Loggins said that all of the 25 events he helped produce from July through mid-October offered participants a virtual option, meaning racers didn’t have to actually line up at a starting line. This month, turkey trots and gobble jogs will still burn up holiday calories, but not everyone will be strutting together, unless they want to. All but one Lake Lanier area Thanksgivingthemed race offers participants a virtual option.

Loggins explained how virtual races work. Participants register for their chosen race online and download the Racejoy app

GRAPHIC PROVIDED BY PEACH STATE VIRTUAL CHALLENGE Participants in Race Works' virtual Peach State Challenge logged their mileage electronically and qualified for t-shirts and medals.

on their phone. With their phone in tow, they select “start” and traverse the race distance. The app uses GPS to measure distance and stops the clock once they have covered the race distance. It automatically sends the finish time to Race Works.

Participants “can run (or walk) whenever or wherever they want. Whatever fits their fancy,” he said. Race Works collects the finish times and lists the results. “It’s a

competitive event, albeit virtual,” Loggins said.

Virtual racing helps motivate individual runners and keeps them connected with their communities, plus it allows local charities a platform to publicize their cause and raise funds. Virtual races offer “a good option for charities to still have a presence, get their message out and fund raise,” Loggins said.

Some race organizers mail t-shirts and awards to finishers. Others require in-person racing to qualify for awards.

Loggins and staff work hard to assure integrity in races where they man the finish line. But it’s no sure thing in virtual races. The app cannot discern whether someone rides in a car or hops on a bike to cover a race distance. But impossible finish times would certainly raise suspicions among serious competitors and Loggins, who created Race Works out of his own running experience. The Hall County athlete ran cross country and track for West Hall High School and North Georgia College (now University of North Georgia). He still runs when he’s not timing races.

Some popular races have drawn large numbers of participants in virtual races. “It’s been very impressive,” Loggins said. In a Mississippi event Race Works helped produce, 1,900 participants raced virtually. The organizer mailed t-shirts and awards. See Races, page 46 Trot off holiday calories in popular Thanksgiving-themed events

In-person running/walking and bicycling events are making a comeback with socially distanced starts and without award celebrations at the finish. Among those are popular Thanksgiving-themed events below. All but one offer virtual options. Check event race website for up-to-date information. n Get Basted Turkey Trot, Cumming. 5K 8 a.m. Nov. 22, North Forsyth Middle School, 3645 Coal Mountain Dr. Virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon available. $17. www.fivestarntp.com n Gobble Wobble 5K/Kids Fun Run, Cumming. 8:30/9:30 a.m. Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day. See website for location. Virtual option available. $20-$35. www.runnersfit.com. n Five Star Turkey Trot, Johns Creek. 5K 8 a.m. Nov.26, 3835 Johns Creek Pkwy. Virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon available. $17. www.fivestarntp.com. n Limestone Turkey Trot 5K/10K/Half Marathon, Gainesville. 8 a.m. Nov. 26, American Legion, Riverside Dr. Virtual option available. $35-$50. Donation of three canned goods appreciated for Georgia Mountain Food Bank. www.runnersfit.com. n Turkey Can Run 5K, Jefferson. 8 a.m. Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day, First Baptist Church, 248 Washington St. $12-$25. Canned food donation appreciated. www.runnersfit.com. – compiled by Jane Harrison