FREEDOM 5K

Join us for the 17th Annual Pufferbelly Run, Walk, and Stroll 10K, 5K Family Run/Walk, and 1 Mile Kids' Fun Run.

The proceeds from this event will be used for trail development activities. One of the biggest projects in our community is the conversion of the former New York Railroad into a paved recreational path called the Pufferbelly Trail in Fort Wayne. When completed, it will link downtown Fort Wayne to Pokagon State Park in Angola and south to Ouabache State Park in Bluffton. At 84 miles, and called the Poka-Bache Connector, it will become the spine for a regional trails system that will provide endless health and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to the Fort Wayne area.

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors.

UAW #2209

YMCA

The Fort Wayne Tincaps

Northeastern REMC

API

Three Rivers Running Company

Parkview Regional Medical Center

Welcome to the 5th Annual Huntertown Heritage Days 5K, part of the Huntertown Heritage Days Festival! The Huntertown Heritage Days Festival was established in 1999 and will take place this year from Thursday, July 30th to Sunday, August 2nd. This race helps support the Huntertown Heritage Days Festival and all the events the community has come to know and love.

Race Information

Race day is Saturday, August 1st, and the race will begin promptly at 8:00AM. The event will be held rain or shine. The start and finish line will be in front of Huntertown Elementary School. Registration is online only and will close Thursday, July 30th at 11:59PM. There will be no race day registration. All participants that are registered before July 17th will receive a t-shirt. There will be no registrations accepted after Thursday, July 30th at 11:59PM.

Packet Pick-Up

Packet pick-up will be on race day morning at Huntertown Elementary School. Our table will be located on the west side of the elementary school near the Huntertown Fire Department:

• Saturday, August 1st (6:30AM-7:45AM)

Packet pick-up will close promptly at 7:45AM. Please give yourself enough time to pick-up your things and get to the start line. We would recommend arriving by 7:15AM. Please note, there will be no day of race registration available.

Parking

Parking will be available at Huntertown Elementary School. Please see below map for more information.

Race Day Schedule

• 6:30AM Packet Pick-Up Begins

• 7:45AM Packet Pick-Up Ends

• 8:00AM Start of Race

• 9:00AM Course Closes

• 9:00AM Awards Ceremony

Course

The course will be a flat and fast loop around Huntertown. The course will start and finish in front of Huntertown Elementary. Runners and walkers will proceed north on Lima Road for approximately a mile. At that point, you will turn left onto Shoaff Road. Runners and walkers will continue on Shoaff Road for a little more than a half-mile before turning left onto Malcolm Road. Malcolm Road will turn into Hunter Road around the two and a quarter-mile mark. Runners and walkers will then follow Hunter Road until the three mile mark when you will turn right back onto Lima Road. At that point, you will see the finish line approximately 200 meters away. Scroll to the bottom of the page for an official MapMyRun course map.

Results

Results will be posted on the website as soon as they are available. Timing will be done by DRS Timing, LLC.

Awards

There will be an award for the first overall male and female finisher, and there will be medals awarded to the top three in each age group. The age group divisions will be as follows for both male and female:

• 14 & Under

• 15-19

• 20-29

• 30-39

• 40-49

• 50-59

• 60-69

• 70 & Older

Course Record Bonus

Just like last year, we will be offering a $100.00 bonus to the male or female race winner that breaks the current course record. Though this race was started only a few years ago, the course records should still be a challenge.

• Male: Connor Quinn - 15:05.6 (2025)

• Female: Annaka Rudolph - 18:02.1 (2025)

Top Performances

For those with a competitive spirit, here are the top ten male and female performances on our course since the race began in 2022. It will take a good effort and some solid fitness to crack our top ten!

Men

1. Connor Quinn - 15:05.6 (2025)

2. Sam Hardy - 15:17.0 (2025)

3. Drew Davis - 15:35.9 (2025)

4. Robert Lohman - 15:49.9 (2025)

5. Robert Lohman - 16:10.5 (2024)

6. Kent Yoder - 16:10.7 (2025)

7. Liam Row - 16:14.9 (2022)

8. Mike Cole - 16:40.4 (2022)

9. Isaiah Heuer - 16:43.0 (2025)

10. Dalton Atchison - 16:45.8 (2025)

Women

1. Annaka Rudolph - 18:02.1 (2025)

2. Annaka Rudolph - 18:38.1 (2024)

3. Bailey Beery - 18:40.2 (2025)

4. Alex Ebetino - 19:15.0 (2024)

5. Mercedes Sarver - 19:28.4 (2025)

6. Alivia Bruckner - 19:37.1 (2025)

7. Cate Sunderlin - 20:09.0 (2025)

8. Jillian Elsworth - 20:13.2 (2025)

9. Yvette Rojas - 20:13.8 (2023)

10. Summer Ross - 20:21.1 (2025)

Post-Race

Water and snacks will be provided after the race. Make sure to drink lots of water before and after the event! Afterwards, stay for the Huntertown Heritage Days Festival. Check out the Facebook page for a full schedule of events.

History of Huntertown

Huntertown was originally called "The Opening", after being settled in a natural clearing in the forest, in about 1837. Huntertown is located on the old Lima Plank Road connecting Lima (now Howe) and Fort Wayne. The Perry Centre Seminary was founded in Huntertown in 1856, only to close five years later when the entire faculty and adult students enlisted in the Union Army. The town was platted in 1869. That means that this year marks Huntertown's 157th year in existence!

• Article on the Huntertown Heritage Days Festival (2019)

• Article on the Huntertown Heritage Days Festival (2024)

Join us for our 14th Annual Stomp Out the Stigma 5k Run/Walk! This event helps to support the mission of New Hope Clubhouse and, more importantly, helps to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Northeastern Center’s New Hope Clubhouse is located in Kendallville, but serves adults from DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble and Steuben counties. It is accredited by the International Center for Clubhouse Development and is one of over 300 clubhouses worldwide breaking the cycle of social isolation that is so common among adults with mental illness.

New Hope Clubhouse provides opportunities for socialization, skill development, employment and more, ultimately helping members regain the confidence and self-esteem needed to live and work in the community.

Proceeds from the race go toward the Clubhouse educational fund as well as social outings and other member projects. With your support, we can continue to help Clubhouse members regain dignity, hope and the opportunity to lead productive lives. Thank you for supporting New Hope Clubhouse and helping us Stomp Out the Stigma!

For more information about New Hope Clubhouse, visit newhopeclubhouse.com.

Join the Fort Wayne Running Club as we continue the tradition of supporting Riley Children's Hospital with the 20th Annual Run for Riley. Participants may choose between the 5 mile chip timed race or the 5K event.

Both events begin at Maple Creek Middle School and progress to the beautiful paved trails of the Fort Wayne Greenway. The course splits with 5 mile participants going one way and 5K participants going the other way. All participants end on the school track.

After the event join us in the school cafeteria to bid on the silent auction items, the 5 mile race awards and as always the wonderful treats and snacks Run for Riley has become known for. Make sure you stay for the announcement of our donation total to Riley Hospital.