The Great Blue Heron Hustle is a scenic trail run through reconstructed wetlands of the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center. This community event supports environmental education, conservation and habitat stewardship while offering runners a unique opportunity to experience man-made wetlands on foot. The event will have food trucks, music, kid’s activities and a community market with local food and craft vendors. The 5K & 10K are chip timed.

This course is considered a trail run due to the uneven trail conditions, gravel, and natural grade of the terrain. Trail weaves in between wetland cells, berms and meadows. The 10K is two loops of the 5K course. The course is clearly marked with directional signage and distance markers. Hydration stations are 1.25 – 1.5 miles into the course and ~.75 before the completion of the 5K loop. Start and finish is located next to education silos.

Strollers and dogs are prohibited from participating in the race.

5K and 10K Map (10K will loop 2 times around the course):

1 Mile Course:

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:

7:30 AM — Day-Of race registration opens (*no t-shirt guarantee) 

7:30 AM — Check In and packet pick up

9:00 AM — 10K start

9:10 AM — 5K start 

9:15 AM — 1K fun run 

10:45 AM — Awards Begin (Rolling)

2:00 PM — Event Closes, breakdown and clean up occurs 

Race Options & Start Times:

10K Trail Run (chip timed) – 9:00 AM

5K Trail Run (chip timed) – 9:10 AM

1 Mile Fun Run (not timed) – 9:15 AM

THE EVENT ENDS AT 2:00 P.M. 

Overall Winners:

Overall Male & Female – 5K

Overall Male & Female – 10K

Age Group Awards (Male & Female): 

14 & Under, 15-19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60+ 

Medals awarded for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place in each age bracket. 

Race awards will be presented at 10:45 am. 

T-shirt guaranteed for registrations received by the February 28th deadline.

After 2/28/2026, t-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and may not be available in all sizes or at all.  Please register early!!!!!!

Sizes: Adult XS - Adult 4XL

Packet pick up will be on Race Day Only!

There will be LIVE RESULTS during the event at 

https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/198030#resultSetId-618825;perpage:100

or

https://www.chip2chipracetiming.com

2026 results

Printed results will be handed to the race director for the awards ceremony.

We need volunteers the week leading up to the event and especially on race day. Volunteer categories include pre-event prep, course preparation, site set up, volunteer check in, registration and packet pick-up, course support and safety, water station, vendor and sponsor support, parking, and cleanup/breakdown. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Kayleigh Bucur at kbucur@wetlandcenter.com with the category you’re most interested in.

For event related questions, please click on the Contact the Organizers button on the page.