Hot Summer Singletrack Trail Race

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

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!

🏃‍♀️ You Matter 5K

• Date: Saturday, September 12, 2025

• Location: Purdue Fort Wayne Campus

• Start Time: 8:30 AM

💙 About the Race

• The You Matter 5K is more than just a run — it’s a movement. Organized by Chi Eta Sigma, the honor society of the graduate counseling program at Purdue Fort Wayne, this event raises awareness for suicide prevention and mental health while funding continuing education opportunities for future counselors.

• Whether you’re running in memory of a loved one, to support a friend, or simply to say "You Matter", your participation helps us build a stronger, more compassionate community.

• In addition to uplifting signs encouraging you on your journey, we will have fun stops and activities along the way!

💬 “You Matter Because…”

• Throughout the race course, you’ll see personalized signs sharing messages of encouragement, remembrance, and hope.

• Sponsors and participants can submit a name or message to appear on these signs, making each step a meaningful one.

🏅 Registration Includes:

• Race entry

• You Matter 5K t-shirt (guaranteed if registered by August 16)

• Finisher token

The race takes place on the beautiful Purdue Fort Wayne campus!

💲 All proceeds go toward:

• All proceeds from the You Matter 5K support mental health awareness initiatives and continuing education opportunities for graduate counseling students at Purdue Fort Wayne through Chi Eta Sigma.

• Your participation helps invest in the training of future counselors who will serve individuals, families, and communities across Northeast Indiana and beyond.

• More information can be found at https://sites.google.com/view/youmatter5k/home/sponsorship

🧾 Want to Sponsor?

• We offer multiple sponsorship tiers with race-day perks, promotional opportunities, and sign placements along the course. View the full sponsorship flyer at https://sites.google.com/view/youmatter5k/home/sponsorship/sponsor-flyer