Take the Lake 2026

Take the Lake is a race weekend held at Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County, North Carolina, with Elizabeth Brinkley Park serving as the central point for multiple events. The schedule includes a 5K run or walk, a 16-mile walk/run or ruck, a 16-mile bike ride, a 16-mile bike-and-hike, a 14-mile paddle, and a 4-mile swim. The series began in 2009, paused after COVID, and is now marking its 15th anniversary. The 16-mile bike ride follows an out-and-back route from Brinkley Park to the Dam. The bike-and-hike combines 14 miles on the bike with a 2-mile hike through Lake Waccamaw State Park. Start times for the paddle and swim are announced on Facebook on the event morning, adding a local, weather-conscious element to those lake activities. The weekend begins with Take the Plate, a spaghetti dinner at Lake Waccamaw Methodist Church. This dinner serves as a packet pickup location, and its proceeds benefit the church's community programs. The event relies significantly on local backing from the Town of Lake Waccamaw, the state park, first responders, volunteers, sponsors, Columbus County, and the Columbus County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.