Fortify Play 5K

Celebrate what makes running fun — high-fives, endorphins, good friends. Come hang with us to celebrate Global Running Day, run a breezy 3.1 miles and make The Big Run an epic party!

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Global Running Day is annually celebrated the first week of June...and we can't wait to celebrate on Wednesday Evening June 4th!

Celebrate Global Running Day with us!

This Global Running Day Fleet Feet Fort Wayne will mark the occasion with an event to celebrate all of you – our amazing running and walking community. We invite you to join us for The Big Run 5K Presented by Fleet Feet and Brooks on Wednesday June 3rd, 2026 at 6:00pm at the Pufferbelly Trailhead near Parkview YMCA 10001 Dawsons Creek Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 to log some midweek miles. Set a goal, cross that finish line and celebrate Global Running Day with your friends, family and Fleet Feet Fort Wayne community.

Fleet Feet Fort Wayne will be hosting The Big Run 5K Presented by Fleet Feet and Brooks on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 at 6:00pm at the Pufferbelly Trailhead near Parkview YMCA 10001 Dawson's Creek Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 on Global Running Day. This event has a nominal fee of only $10 for Adults thanks to Fleet Feet and Brooks. Kids 10 and under are free.

Lots of Swag! All registered in-person runners/walkers will get a medal, technical t-shirt and some goodies from our sponsors. We're excited to work with our local and national sponsors for this event! Supplies are limited so register early.

Packet Pick Up & Day Of Registration:

Tuesday, June 2nd- 4 to 7:00pm at Fleet Feet Fort Wayne Southwest 5661 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Wednesday, June 3rd - 10 to 1pm at Fleet Feet Fort Wayne North 1549 W. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825

Wednesday, June 3rd - 5 to 6 pm at Pufferbelly Trailhead at Parkview YMCA 10001 Dawsons Creek Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 - (we will have a hard stop at 6pm in order to get the race started on time, please plan accordingly)

Our Brooks Rep will be present with demo shoes to try on and run in. After the race stick around and play a round of Corn Hole. Enjoy some food, music and camaraderie with fellow runners and walkers. Also make sure to enter our social media contest.

We will choose a single participant for a special prize for their race day post. All you have to do is :

1.) Take a picture or video of you on race day and tag @fleetfeetfortwayne.

2.) Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

3.) Comment below or tag your walking or running buddy with the hashtag #runtogether

( A random winner will be picked the same day and posted later on social media.)

Kids Run:

We will have a free and family friendly kids run starting at 6:00 pm! We'll do a shorter version of our run (~1/2 mile) and all kids 10 & under will be given a medal! We'll have a quick check-in before the run around 5:40 near the start/finish line. Family members are encouraged to run with their kids! Thank you!

Help Us Give Back:

Fleet Feet Fort Wayne will donate $2.00 of each registration to Girls on the Run of Northeast Indiana. Why? Because everyone benefits when we support our kids. At Girls on the Run of Northeast Indiana they aim to inspire ALL girls of ALL abilities and backgrounds to build confidence, develop a positive mental attitude (find joy), and make intentional decisions, while fostering care and compassion for themselves and for others. Their incredible volunteer coaches are trained on how to use fun physical activities and have dynamic discussions to build social, emotional and physical skills in every girl while encouraging healthy habits for life. With our gift, we are helping a girl unleash her limitless potential. We are giving her a place where she feels accepted and understood, a place where she can connect with her peers, gain confidence, and discover her true power and potential. A place where she belongs.

She is counting on us to give her Girls on the Run. And we encourage you to consider donating as well!

Another way you can help is to become a SoleMate! SoleMates raise critical funds for Girls on the Run while completing a physical challenge. You don't need to be a star athlete to join—you only need to be a champion for the girls in their communities. Click here to learn more!

Please consider an optional donation to Girls on the Run, so they can help more girls cross more finish lines. Thank you.

Stay connected:

● Find community at your local Fleet Feet Fleet Feet Fort Wayne

● Sign up for our newsletters and join the Fleet Feet Rewards Program and Strava Club Rewards

● Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.facebook.com/FleetFeetFTW

Join us for a scenic, stroller-friendly 5K on Kendallville’s beautiful nature trail. The clockwise course follows Park Road and the trail system, creating a safe and enjoyable route for runners and walkers of all levels.

Whether you’re chasing a personal best or showing up to walk with friends and family, this event is about more than miles, it’s about momentum.

Awards will be presented to top finishers in each age division.

All proceeds benefit the ANE Foundation and directly support local children who need financial assistance for educational expenses.

Run strong. Walk proud. Move with purpose.

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)