RACE FOR THE WARRIOR

The Fort Wayne Running Club is proud to host Runners on Pace “ROP” presented by Fort Wayne Orthopedics (formerly Runners on Parade) in its second year on the campus of our awesome title sponsor. Experience all the things that have made ROP Fort Wayne's favorite 5K, including a fantastic loop course, mostly roads with a straight stretch of paved trail in the final mile (mainly flat with a short hill at mile 2.6), cash prizes for overall open and master winners, gift cards for age group top three, youth awards, post-race refreshments and awards presentation under the canopy, custom designed race shirts. This location offers easy access to parking and the course borders the very beautiful Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve (Trip Advisor’s #24 of 114 things to do in Fort Wayne). This course will appeal to both the serious competitor and the causal walker/runner/families/youth seeking a fun and social summer morning.

Packet pickup will occur on Friday 7/10/26 at Fleet Feet Southwest (in the Village at Coventry) from 2-7 pm, and on race morning 7/11/26 under the canopy at Fort Wayne Orthopedics at 6:30 AM. Late registration will be offered at Fleet Feet on Friday 7/10/26 and at the event venue on race morning.

Youth (0-18) always get "early-bird" pricing

The race will start at 8:00am. View the course map below.

Awards and post race snacks will be offered under the canopy.

The Fort Wayne Running Club plans to follow guidance and implement safety measures for the benefit of all participants. The following policies will be in place for this event:

1. The race will be limited to pre-registered runners. We hope you can join us, so sign up soon!

2. Runners are encouraged to take all necessary safety precautions on their own. Please take the personal precautions you feel are necessary for your own personal safety as we come together as a running community

3. We will have timing mats at the start, so we encourage runners and walkers to self-seed based on projected paces.

4. We will have a water stop along the course and water for you at the finish since July can be warm.

5. All registered runners will need to agree to an updated waiver.

6. We recommend that those feeling sick, ill, with fever, or recently having been in contact with anyone recovering from illness not participate.

7. We also recommend that people from high-risk groups consult their physician before participating

Mountain bike riders, trail runners and wheelchair athletes will take on the technical dirt trails of Franke Park during the heat of the summer in the Hot Summer Singletrack.

Mountain bike riders can take on the six hour challenge or settle for a more reasonable three hour ride on a seven-mile loop of the technical dirt trails of Franke Park.

Wheelchair athletes can choose to follow a challenging course of paved path and gravel road for either three or six hours.

Trail runners can take on the six hour challenge or settle for a more reasonable three hour ride on a three-mile loop of the technical dirt trails of Franke Park.

The race begins at 8AM.

RACE INFO

AWARDS FOR THE WINNER OF EACH CATEGORY

TENT CITY NEAR THE HUB AT THE BASE OF DERBY HILL. BRING YOUR EZ UP ON RACE DAY AND SET UP BASE CAMP FOR YOU AND YOUR CREW

THE GRILL OPENS AT 11AM FOR RACE PARTICIPANTS AND CREW. SNACKS AND PICNIC-STYLE FOOD ARE INCLUDED WITH REGISTRATION FEE

THANKS TO UAW LOCAL 2209, WE ARE ABLE TO KEEP REGISTRATION FEES LOW!

WE ARE ALSO ABLE TO MAKE THE RACE FREE TO YOUNG PEOPLE 18 AND UNDER

TIMELINE

Friday

• 5:00PM-7:00PM-Packet pickup at the HUB in Franke Park

Saturday

• 7:00AM-7:45-Packet pickup

• 7:45AM-Race instructions and information.

• 8:00AM-Race Time

• 11:15PM-Three hour race awards

• 2:00PM- Six hour race awards

Appleseeds Cross Country is a competitive cross country racing team. Our team is open to kids going into Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. We compete in several meets throughout the course of the season, which are outlined below. Appleseeds welcomes kids from all schools in the area as well as kids who are homeschooled.

We have 3 age groups: elementary school, middle school, and high school. Elementary athletes will race 1 mile, middle schoolers will race 3k, and high schoolers will race 5k.

The race schedules will differ between age groups. Please make sure you register for the appropriate level based on your child's age. The grades are denoted in parentheses next to the name of the level.

We will practice Monday and Wednesday evenings beginning August 10th through September 30th.

Feel free to reach out to Club Director, Lynn Marbach, with any questions at [email protected].

Practice Schedule:

Monday and Wednesdays, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Race Schedules:

Elementary Races:

September 4th: Eel River Otter Classic

September 17th: Hickory Center Husky Hustle

September 25th: Fort4Fitness Kid's Race

September 29th: Cadet Mile

October 3rd: Archer Invite in Antwerp Ohio

Middle School Races:

September 5th: Manchester Invitational

September 12th: Wildcat Classic at Indiana Wesleyan University

September 15th: Blackhawk Christian Middle School Invite

September 19th: South Adams Invite

September 26th: New Haven Invitational at Huntington University

October 3rd: Archer Invite in Antwerp Ohio

High School Races:

September 5th: Manchester Invitational

September 12th: Wildcat Classic at Indiana Wesleyan University

September 19th: South Adams Small School Invite

September 26th: New Haven Invitational at Huntington University

October 3rd: Archer Invite in Antwerp Ohio

Benefits:

• Guidance from our experienced coaches

• Two practices a week

• Asics team singlet and shorts

• Appleseeds t-shirt

• Special discount on running shoes

• Entries for all races

Appleseeds Cross Country practices take place at Franke Park near the McMillen Family Pavilion located at 1750 Goshen Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46808.

We are excited to announce The Getting Miles Athletic Club's first annual Fort Wayne Park Race Series. Participants aged 12 and under are eligible to compete in this race series.

The Buckner Park Dash is a one mile race on the recreation trail in Buckner Park.

Make sure you arrive early to find a good parking spot, warm up, use the restrooms and pick up your race bib.

Series participants need to return their race bibs to the packet pickup station in order to receive points for the race. You will use the same race bib for all the events.

Runners will receive a race decal to put on their bib at the finish line.

Be sure to return your race bib to packet pickup after you finish the race. You will use the same bib for the entire season!

We are collecting non-perishable food items to help fill the local food lockers to help local families in need.

The Getting Miles Athletic Club is a local organization whose goal is to provide a community for recreational athletes of all levels.

Raceday Schedule of Events

7:30-8:45AM-Packet Pickup in the playground pavilion

8:45AM-9:00AM-Race info and instructions

9:00AM-Race Time!

Series participants need to return their race bibs to the packet pickup station in order to receive points for the race. You will use the same race bib for all the events.

Complete all four races and win fun prizes at the end of the season.

Race Series Page

Shoaff Park Long Mile

Buckner Park Dash

Franke Park Derby Mile

Double Dragon Two Mile

Runners will be placed into one of four age groups:

5-6

7-8

9-10

11-12

Runners will receive points based on age group and gender place.

Runners who finish after 20th will receive points for finishing.

Awards for participation and point series for the race season will be presented at the conclusion of the Double Dragon in October.

The Firefly Six Hour Trail Race is a six-hour timed night trail event. Run as many trail laps as you can in six hours.

Participants complete as many laps as they can on the Franke Park Trail network for up to six hours. The route consists of paved path, gravel and single track dirt trail.

Each loop will start/finish at the HUB. Only full loops will count toward your mileage total! The HUB is a multi-use facility built and maintained by the Summit City Singletrack mountain bike riding club. The HUB is equipped with picnic tables and shade triangles. The HUB will also be lit after sunset.

You can find the HUB between the gravel parking lot and Derby Hill.

There will not be an aid station on the course. Bring your own snacks and drinks to keep at the HUB. We encourage you to bring your favorite snacks and drinks to share at the HUB during the race. This is a great opportunity to share and try new trail treats.

New to Franke Park?

There are a few things to keep in mind:

• Trail pace is about two minutes per mile slower

• The trails are technical!

• Always be aware of your surroundings-branches can pop out of anywhere

• There are roots and rocks on the dirt trail-watch your step

Recommended Gear:

• Headlamp/flashlight. It’s a night race

• Folding chair

• Insect repellent

• Sun screen

• Snacks

• Water

• Hydration mis

Schedule of events:

3:30PM-4:45PM-Packet pickup

4:45PM-Race instructions and information

5:00PM~Race Time

11:00PM-Race awards

The Firefly is a group project. Bring your own nutrition and hydration and bring your favorite trail snacks to share. It’s a great chance to try something new!