Students First 5K

Lace up, show up, and help build something that lasts!

The Fortify Play 5K & Fun Run isn’t just a race; it’s a step toward creating DeKalb County's first public splash pad and park right here in our community. Every registration moves us closer to a space where every child, every ability, and every family has a place to belong.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner chasing a PR, a team looking for a group activity to give back, or a parent pushing a stroller, this event is for you!

5K Run

A professionally timed 3.1-mile course designed for runners and walkers of all levels. Come competitive or come casual — just come ready to move with purpose.

Fun Run

A shorter, family-friendly route perfect for kids, first-time runners, and anyone who wants to join the celebration without committing to the full 5K. Expect energy, encouragement, and a whole lot of community spirit!

Bring your friends. Bring your kids. Bring your neighbors! Let’s run toward something bigger than ourselves.

Together, we can Play It Forward for the next generation.

• Note - must register by April 9 to receive a free t-shirt.

Race Beyond Limits is pleased to be your host of the Churubusco Turtle Days 5K! Join us and run, walk or crawl around Churubusco! This fun event is part of the Turtle Days Festival in Churubusco Indiana. The 5K will start at the Churubusco Jr/Sr High School and end on the track at the school. The event is a timed 5K and there will be awards for the overall top male/female and overall top masters male/female. Every runner will receive a race shirt if they sign up by the deadline. NEW this year every runner will receive a custom Turtle Days finisher medal!

Join us in Avilla, Indiana for a fun and meaningful community event as we celebrate fitness, hometown pride and the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America!

The Freedom 5K is more than just a race, it's a chance for neighbors, families, runners, walkers, and patriots of all ages to come together in the spirit of health, unity and celebration!

Whether you're racing for a personal best, walking with friends, or simply showing support for the community, this event is designed for everyone!

Event Highlights

• Timed 5K event

• Finisher's medal, refreshments and post-race festivities

• T-shirt included with 5K registration

• Fun for runners, walkers, families and all fitness levels

• A scenic, stroller friendly 5K route through the heart of Avilla

• Patriotic theme honoring America's 250th birthday

• Community celebration with local support and smalltown spirit

T-SHIRT GUARANTEED IF REGISTERED BEFORE JUNE 5TH

T-SHIRTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON RACE DAY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST / LIMITED YOUTH SIZES AVAILABLE

Parking

• DO NOT : Park in the library parking lot, they kindly allowed us to use a section of their parking lot, dumpster and indoor public restrooms for our event while they are open. Being that parking is limited they have requested we make other parking accommodations and limit parking to race volunteers only; we want to respect this. Thank you!!

• DO : Please utilize free public street parking conveniently located within a half mile radius of the Start/Finish.

Why We Run

This race is about more than miles; it's about celebrating the strength of our community and the shared values that bring us together! As we honor 250 years of our nation's history, we also look forward to a future of health, connection and local pride right here in Avilla!

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)