The TDS Twister Trot, formerly Marcy’s Run, is a race to honor the courage and strength of our community.

Promotional image for the TDS Twister Trot event on October 18, 2025

Marcy Speer, mother of Kira (Class of 2008) and Casey (Class of 2010) was a world-renowned geneticist at Duke University who lost her battle with cancer in 2007. At the time, Marcy’s Run was created to honor her memory as well as her contributions to the TDS community, and to support science education. Sadly, in the years since the race began, our community has had many other families affected by cancer. With the blessing of the Speer family, the race took on a new name.

The Twister Trot honors all families who have been, or currently are being, affected by this terrible disease, and we invite all of our racers to honor a friend or family member impacted by cancer at our race.

Race Day Schedule

8:00 AM – Arrive early. Enjoy the music. Stretch!

8:45 AM – Opening remarks

9:00 AM – 100-Yard Dash for Lower School students

9:15 AM – 5K Race begins

9:20 AM – 1-Mile Fun Run begins

9:50 AM – Post-Race Entertainment and Awards

Recognition and Prizes

Gift certificates are awarded to the fastest runners, both male and female, in the Lower School, Middle School, and High School/Adult divisions.

Also, any TDS student crossing the 5K finish line ahead of Mr. Norry (boys) or Coach Morrison (girls) will be awarded an all-you-can-eat lunch from Cookout!

A special THANK YOU to this year's sponsors

Summa Cum Laude

Housing Solutions logo
Heavenly Buffaloes logo
Compare Foods logo
Captrust logo
Smith & Heymann Orthodontics logo
Nest Realty logo - Rachel Wachter

Magna Cum Laude

Cum Laude

ForeverBuilt Custom Homes logo
MDM Manufacturing logo
Emerge Pediatric Therapy logo
Durham Women's Clinic logo
Atlantic Reproductive Medicine logo
BuildSense logo
Shirt Lab logo
Southeastern Orthopedics logo
First Citizens Bank logo
NCFC Youth logo
Arpieka Design Studio logo