After several years of preparation, Carol Thomson has now posted her documentary on the history of the American Tobacco Trail. A formal presentation of the documentary is scheduled for 7-8pm on March 24th, at the Durham Arts Council theater. The recent release includes a historical slide show and a video of tobacco production in Durham and videos of the Apex Street bridge removal, the role of equestrian efforts in western Wake County and a short clip on Norfolk Southern use of the corridor, Jordan Lake's construction and the New Hope Valley Railroad, showing how all relate to the trail's history and development. [A video on the newly completed Chatham section was added in late March 2010]

North Carolina Rail-Trails (NCRT), a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) North Carolina corporation, seeks an Executive Director, who will be responsible for leadership, development and management of all NCRT programs and activities. The position will be the first staff position for NCRT, founded in 1989, which has until this time been an all-volunteer organization. The ideal candidate will be a service-oriented manager with successful experience in fundraising, advocacy, and board management and development. If you would like more information on the requirements, responsibilities and compensation of this position, please see the the full position description on the NC Rail-Trails site.

On December 12th, 14 students from Green Hope High School came out to help us clean-up a large collection of discarded household appliances and other trash near the crossing of Massey Chapel Road and the ATT. Much of this was in the nearby woods and required much pushing and dragging to get it to the road. Thanks to all who helped.

As the year closes out, please take a minute to look at our 2009 Report.

TRTC will have two openings on it's Board for one year terms beginning in January 2010. If you are interested in working to enhance and maintain existing local trails, promoting new rail-trails in the Triangle area and in other activities supporting local trails you may want to consider serving on our Board. We meet on the first Monday of each month at the Woodcroft Community Center. If you have questions concerning TRTC's Board, please contact Bill Bussey or Curt Devereux.

The newly formed Tobacco Road Marathon Association (TRMA) has announced the first-ever marathon starting in Cary and traversing the American Tobacco Trail. The race is confirmed for March 21, 2010 starting at 7 a.m. TRMA is a group of highly experienced marathon runners and athletic event production managers headed by Cid Cardoso Jr., the president and founder of Inside-Out Sports, and five-time Boston marathon veteran Kazem Yahyapour. The scenic course includes 18 miles of the American Tobacco Trail for the marathon and 7 miles for the half. Runners will start from the USA Baseball/Thomas Brooks Park complex in Cary. Plans call for proceeds to go to the Wounded Warriors Project, American Heart Association and the Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy (TRTC). Details about the event including online registration and training tips can be obtained through TRMA's Web site at Tobacco Road Marathon.