As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic crushed many of the plans and fundraising events for Firefly Trail Inc., in 2020.  Despite this, we and our trail communities moved forward and accomplished many important milestones.

From the beautiful completion of Winterville's Model Mile, to the extension of the trail in Maxeys, to construction of the Model Mile in Union Point, we and our community partners achieved tremendous goals this year.  As we plan for 2021, we need to sustain our ability to seek grant opportunities and be ready with matching funds to help our local communities in need.  Now, more than ever, it is critical we stay on track with our efforts and keep the momentum moving forward.  To do so, we must shore up lost funding if we are to achieve our goals for 2021.

As a result,  we are launching the Firefly Trail Year-End Crowdfunding Campaign.  If you give $30 and encourage 10 friends/family to do the same, we can fill the lost revenue gap due to COVID-19.  Please take a look at our Year-End Challenge Crowdfunding page, donate and add your name to the list. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.
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Thank you so much for your continued support!  
TOGETHER, we are building OUR trail and connecting OUR communities. 

​An online public meeting with ACC Leisure Services will take place on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.

Two informational in-person drop-in sessions are scheduled at Pittard Park (main picnic shelter), 115 Parkview Road, Winterville:

Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Attendees are reminded to adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear face coverings. Time limits may be imposed if large numbers attend.

Details, including possible alternate routes, are at the ACC Listens website: https://www.accgov.com/leisureserviceslistens

Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Firefly Relay, held Oct. 30-Nov. 8 as a virtual time-trial. We had great participation for our low-key first effort, and thank everyone who participated, whether you were racing the clock or just having fun. Everyone who signed up can get your 2020 Firefly Trail t-shirt by contacting us. In addition, those whose names are in italics are award winners and can get your prizes by contacting us. Also, if you have suggestions to improve the event or route in 2021, please let us know. All proceeds from the relay will be used to advance the work of Firefly Trail Inc., to nurture the creation of the Firefly Trail from Union Point to Athens. Thanks for your support!

First Annual Firefly Trail Virtual Relay (October 30-November 8, 2020) – RESULTS
(1 Lap = 12.1 miles; 3 Laps = 36.3 miles) Italicized = Award WINNER

1 Lap “Sprint” U50 Female
1) Lisa Baynes 42:41
1 Lap “Sprint” U50 Male
1) Brad Frink 33:22
2) Brandon Grainy 33:27
1 Lap “Sprint” 50+ Female
1) Carol Myers 49:53
1 Lap “Sprint” 50+ Male
1) Steve Cummings 39:45
2) Mark Ralston 46:57
3) Rich Born 47:59
4) Michael Kraft 51:04
1 Lap “Sprit” Lanterne Rouge
Michael Kraft
3 Lap “Tour” U50 Female
No participants
3 Lap “Tour” U50 Male
1) Alex Balashov 1:35:37
2) Stephen Wolfson 1:41:25 
3) Lakin Garth 2:12:19
3 Lap “Tour” 50+ Female
1) Carol Myers 2:47:48
3 Lap “Tour” 50+ Male
1) John Kissane 1:55:56
2) Don McKim 2:14:05
3) Paul Meech 2:31:02
3 Lap “Tour” Lanterne Rouge
Paul Meech
Team 3x1 Lap Relay
No participants
Team 3x3 Lap Relay
1) Steve Cummings, Michael Herbert, Don McKim 6:27:46
2) John Kissane, Mark Ralston, Ken Sherman 6:34:50

​While 2020 overall has not been a banner year, the week of Oct. 11 will long be remembered by fans of the Firefly Trail and the people of the communities it will serve.

​In Winterville, Mayor Dodd Ferrelle, Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz and Commissioner and Rails-to-Trails Committee Chairman Andy Herod cut the ribbon to officially open an already much-loved 1.2- mile section of the trail.

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In Union Point, crews continued clearing, grading, and pouring concrete as work progresses to complete a 0.6-mile segment of the trail connecting neighborhoods north of downtown to Greene County Primary School.

​In Maxeys, weeks of preparatory work came to fruition as crews laid asphalt on an extension of the
existing trail from Laurel Street to Cherry Street behind the historic Depot.

​In Athens-Clarke, work continued to clear the corridor from Old Winterville Road to Hancock Road, with a goal of finishing the 1.8-mile segment before the end of October 2021. This stretch will pass under the Loop and Winterville Road and will include a new bridge over a soon-to-be-built access ramp from Lexington Road to the Outer Loop. It also passes by a quarry ACC just announced it will purchase for a new water reservoir and park.

And Greene County, Woodville, Maxeys, Union Point and Firefly Trail Inc. -- working with the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission -- submitted an application for a nearly $3 million Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grant. If awarded, the grant and matching funds from the partners will complete the trail in Union Point, Greene County, Woodville and Maxeys. 
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Cyclists, if you have been itching to put the hammer down during this COVID-hampered year, here’s your chance. Firefly Trail Inc. is hosting a virtual race on roads near the future route of the trail in conjunction with the opening of the trail in Winterville. For COVID safety, riders will ride individually and upload their times to Strava, individually or as “teams”, with race judges selecting winners based on uploaded times. Riders can complete their race at any time of their choosing between Oct. 30 – Nov. 8. (For safety, rides starting or ending at night will not be counted.)
And, of course, since it’s a Firefly event, non-racers are welcome, too. Just sign up, come out anytime during the 10-day virtual race “window” and have fun. Upload your time and, also just for fun, see if you qualify for the Lanterne Rouge prize as the slowest rider.
This virtual relay is being held to raise funds and awareness for the mission of Firefly Trail Inc. to foster completion of the Firefly Trail from Union Point to Athens. This Firefly Virtual Relay will create an opportunity for fun and friendly competition while promoting COVID-19 safety measures. 
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Event details and schedule

Click Here to Register

​The course

• Riders will ride a 12.1-mile course starting on Robert Hardeman Road near the historic Winterville Depot and ending on Main Street a few yards from the start.
• The preliminary routes are available here:
  • 12.1-mile/1 lap: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34046378
  • 36.3-mile/3 laps: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34046481
• The route will be marked with pavement markings and will be available for download from RideWithGPS and Strava. Cue sheets suitable for printing will be posted at www.fireflytrail.com.
• Riders can choose to ride solo or as a member of a virtual three-person team.
• Riders can complete their race at any time of their choosing between Oct. 30 – Nov. 8. For safety, rides starting or ending at night will not be counted.
• Individual riders can compete in a one-lap race (12.1 miles or a 3-lap race (36.3 miles).
• Teams can choose a “Sprint” option in which each member rides the course once, or a “Tour” option in which each member rides the course three times.
• Team members can also use their times to compete in individual categories.
• Free parking will be available at the Pittard Park gravel lot off Parkview Road or at the Winterville Community Center off N. Church Street.

 Registration

• Registration is $25 for the first category and $10 for each additional category. Winners of designated categories will be eligible for a small prize.
• Registration is open at Active.com through Oct. 28. There will be no day-of registration.
• Riders must sign the waiver online. A parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver for any participant under age 18 and must accompany them during the race.
• Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 or other infectious illnesses should not ride.
• No refunds will be granted with one exception: If you are registered and develop symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu on or after Oct. 16, let the race organizers know and we will refund 100% of your entrance fee. We’ll even reserve your shirt for you. For a list of COVID-19 and flu symptoms, see cdc.gov.
• All participants who wish to compete for a prize (including Lanterne Rouge) must upload their results to Strava before 11:59 PM on Nov. 8. A free Strava membership is all that is needed; riders do NOT need a paid Strava membership.
• All miles of all laps must be completed in one continuous ride.
• Everyone who registers will receive a Firefly Trail t-shirt, which can be picked up at Georgia Cycle Sport after Nov. 9. Prizes for designated winners will also be available at GCS for a limited time.

Safety rules

• Riders must wear a helmet.
• Riders must obey all rules of the road, including stopping at stop signs and yielding to oncoming traffic at turns.
• This event is unsupported. Riders must supply any fluids, food and other supplies that they will need. There are no SAG stops and no public bathrooms on the course.
• We urge all riders to carry a cell phone. In case of emergency, call 911.
• The course lies entirely on public roads that are open to normal traffic. Hazards such as motor vehicles, other cyclists, dogs, debris, and potholes should be expected, and inclement weather is possible. Riders are solely responsible for their conduct and safety.

Rules of the race

• Riders must use the official course. Rides in other locations cannot be counted.
• Only human-powered bicycles may be used. Riders may not use any kind of motorized assistance. However, any type of human-powered bike is permitted, such as unicycles, recumbents (including trikes and tadpoles) and tandems.
• For fairness and COVID-19 safety, no drafting is allowed. Participants should remain at least 10 bike lengths apart except when overtaking a slower rider. Teammates may gather before and after the ride, but may not ride together.
• Riders who encounter significant unavoidable delays (for example, a flat tire or a funeral procession) may ride their chosen number of laps again and submit their best time. A repeat ride must be completed before nightfall on Nov. 8.

Categories and awards

• Riders who compete in the 3-lap race can also compete in the 1-lap race with their best single-lap time
• Riders who are part of a team can also use their times to compete as individuals. Remember, drafting is prohibited.
• Prizes will be awarded to the first-place finishers in the Individual event categories (male and female, under 50 and 50-and-over, 1-lap and 3-lap races) and to all members of first and second place teams in the Sprint and Tour categories. The rider with the slowest time will be awarded the Lanterne Rouge prize. We may also award a prize for best team name.
• Winners will be determined by ride judges based on times uploaded to Strava. Judges may use Strava data to ensure riders followed the course, started and finished between sunrise and sunset, and did not ride as a group. The judges’ decisions are final.

Proceeds from the Firefly Virtual Race will support the work of Firefly Trail, Inc., a non-profit organization working with local supporters and governments to complete a 39-mile multi-purpose path from Union Point to Athens on or near the historic corridor of the Georgia Railroad Athens Branch.

Come join us for the 7th Annual Junction Jamboree Jog (J35k) benefiting the planned Firefly Trail, a 39-mile rail-trail from Union Point to Athens.  The course is the old "Sock Trot 5K" route.

Click Here to Register

IN-PERSON OPTION: $25.00

VIRTUAL OPTION: Due to COVID-19 the J35K is offering a Virtual Option this year. Entry Fee is $15.00, no shirt and no award. Times will be entered at the end of your respective age group for BBRS and CG points. Run anywhere between Sept 19 and Sept 26. Submit your time to http://tiny.cc/J35KTimes no later than 12 Noon on Sept 26.
Event details and schedule

Race Day Registration and Packet Pickup: Begins at 7:30AM
5K: Starts at 8:30AM

Awards: Presented to Overall M/F, Masters M/F, and top three M/F in standard 5-year age groups.

Timing and Results: Finish line management and results provided by Classic Race Services with results posted to www.classicraceservices.com, www.active.com, www.athlinks.com.

Shirts and Goodies: Shirts are guaranteed to those who register by 9/12/20.  Those registering after that date and on race day are not guaranteed a shirt or size.  There will be plenty of refreshments.

Series Affiliation: The race is part of the  2020 Firefly Trail Race Series, 2020 Black Bag Race Series and the Clover Glove Series.

Other Info: In case of rain, the race will go on.  Delay of the start may happen in case of severe weather in the area at race time.  If severe weather continues, then the race director or local authorities may make the call to cancel the race at that time.  Sorry, no refunds.

Come join us in Crawford, GA on Labor Day for the 16th Annual Restoration Run 5K and 11K hosted by the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce and held at the old Crawford Depot in downtown Crawford, GA.  The Depot is located on US 78, across the street from Smith Ford Sales.  Proceeds from the race will benefit the restoration of the old Depot.  

Click Here to Register

Virtual Option: Due to COVID-19 the Restoration Run is offering a Virtual Option for the 5K and 11K. Entry Fee is $15.00 for one race, $25.00 for both races, no shirt and no award. Times will be entered at the end of your respective age group for BBRS and CG points. Run anywhere between Aug 31 and Sept 7. Submit your time to http://tiny.cc/RestorationRun5K11KTimes no later than 5:00pm on Sept 7.

Race Day and Packet Pickup: Starts at 6:30AM
5K starts at 7:30AM
11K starts at 8:30AM
5K Awards will be given out after the start of the 11K
11K Awards will be handed out as runners turn in the finish cards.

Awards:
Awards in both races will be presented to Overall M/F, Masters M/F, and top three M/F in age groups beginning 10 and under through 75 and over.

Timing and Results:
Finish line timing and results provided by Classic Race Services with complete results posted online at www.classicraceservices.com, www.active.com, www.athlinks.com.

Series Affiliation:
The race is part of the 2020 Firefly Trail Race Series, 2020 Black Bag Race Series, and Clover Glove Series.

Shirts and Goodies:
Long sleeve t-shirts guaranteed to all pre registered participants pre-registered by 8/24/20.  Registrations after that date and on race day are not guaranteed a shirt or size.  There will be plenty of refreshments.

Other Info: In case of rain, the races will go on.  Delay of the start may happen in case of severe weather in the area at race time.  If severe weather continues, then the race director or local authorities may make the call to cancel the race at that time.  Sorry, no refunds.

Local supporters of the Firefly Trail are encouraged to volunteer in organizing a Winterville Local Action Committee (LAC).  The role of the LAC is to advocate for and enhance popular support of the trail supporting local officials in its maintenance, development as a public resource, and encouraging local use of the trail.  Eventually the Winterville LAC will coordinate with various LACs all along the 39-mile trail corridor.  Interested individuals will find an application at the City's website:
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https://cityofwinterville.com/entries/arbor-day/firefly-trail-local-action-committee

Local Action Committee Mission Statement and Information Packet

If you signed up for the Ticket to Ride this spring, we have a free T-shirt for you. You can pick it up this Saturday, June 27, between 10 AM and 6 PM at our tent outside Georgia Cycle Sport, 1029 Baxter Street, Athens. We will be wearing masks and maintaining social distance. Just drive or ride up, tell us your name and shirt size, and we'll toss it to you or use a grabber tool to hand it to you. Extra shirts available for purchase.  If you signed up to volunteer in Crawford, Maxeys or Union Point your t-shirt will be delivered at the next Local Action Committee meeting in your area.
 
If you didn't register for Ticket to Ride but would like to own the beautiful and comfy 2020 Firefly Trail T-shirt, come on by! Shirts are only $10 each in sizes from Adult S to XXXL while supplies last (No Cash, Credit Cards Only Please). Sales benefit our work to support completion of the Firefly Trail from Union Point to Athens. Thanks for your support!

We could use a few volunteers to assist with distributing t-shirts. We will be socially distancing and masks are required. Shifts can be as short as one hour.