Sports & Outdoors im Harman, founder of Roadless Races, has built a thriving
PHOTO BY MARIO QUIVERA
Rachel Germain has run in several Roadless Races events and says the camaraderie is what keeps her coming back. “I think one of the great things about these races is how accessible they are, even for beginners,” she says.
community-focused initiative rooted in a passion for outdoor adventure and healthy competition. Jim’s journey into organizing races began in Virginia where he founded EX2 Adventures. The success of his inaugural event, Venture Quest, propelled him into the world of adventure racing, and he brought that passion with him to Chapel Hill six years ago. “The trails were a major factor in our decision to move to Briar Chapel specifically,” Jim says. A group of four mountain bikers sped by on the trail when he and his wife, Kimberly Harman, and their then-7-year-old son, Jack Harman, first toured the neighborhood. “I knew right away this was the place for us. The community’s emphasis on outdoor activities and the abundance of trails aligned perfectly with our lifestyle and helped me get Roadless Races off the ground.” It didn’t take long before Jim started dreaming up courses and exploring local parks to continue creating both running and cycling races in his new community. His approach to event planning
Catch Me If You Can Hit the trail with a homegrown race initiative By MORGAN CARTIER WESTON | Photography by MARK BROCKER
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