From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find gravel events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Join Fort4Fitness and the Fort Wayne Zoo for Run Wild on Friday, June 5th AND/OR Saturday, June 6, 2026! The route will have multiple terrains: concrete, wooden bridges, grass and gravel. Be prepared for it all as you travel through Africa, Australia, through Stingray Bay and past the Peacock Cafe. Participants will receive a commemorative race shirt, timing bib, free entry to the Fort Wayne Zoo on Saturday following the 5K and a finisher medal.
Participants should enter through the entrance on Sherman Blvd on race day. The new Goshen Road entrance will be closed.
The Zoo paths are narrow in some areas, so there will be a participant cap. There will be NO Day of Registration. Please see Packet Pick-Up details here: Participants | Fort4Fitness
Spectators will also be allowed into certain areas inside the front gates during the race (main plaza to the Africa tunnel area), but not beyond the barriers set up. 5K participants can use their race bib to gain free reentry into the Zoo on Saturday, June 6th, 2026, following the completion of the 5K on Saturday morning at 9 AM.
Due to the all-terrain nature of this course, runners under the age of 10 should be accompanied by an adult also running in the event.
Proceeds go to the Fort Wayne Zoo. For the safety of our animals, dogs and other pets are not permitted. Service animals must check in at Zoo guest services prior to the race.
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
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
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!
Five hours of trail racing in Franke Park!
Grab your gear and get ready for five hours of type 2 fun on the technical trails of Franke Park. As a trail runner, mountain bike rider or wheelchair athlete, you'll complete as many laps as you can in the five hour time limit.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Runners follow a three mile loop in the east side of Franke Park.
Riders follow a five mile loop on the west side of Franke Park.
Wheelchair athletes will follow a two mile loop on pavement and gravel
We will record your progress on a whiteboard and on a timing mat.
All laps must be completed within the five hour time limit.
We encourage you to setup a home base near the HUB at base of Derby Hill.
No aid stations on the course. Food and drink will be available at the HUB.
All participants will share the timing mat and complete many full laps as they can in the five hour time limit.
No credit will be given for incomplete laps!
The participant that completes the highest number of full laps will be declared the category winner.
In the event of a tie, the participant that completes the fastest first lap will be declared the category winner.
Lunch will be provided for registered competitors and Crew/Spectators in the HUB.
Endurance athletes of all levels are welcome to participate!
Riders must wear a bicycle helmet!
We also recommend safety glasses for riders.
HERE'S THE BASIC TIMELINE:
Friday, September 18th
Saturday, September 19th
7:30AM-8:45AM-Check-in at the HUB
8:45AM-9:00AM-Last minute race info/instructions
9:00AM-2:00PM- Dirty Fox Challenge
2:30PM-3:00PM- Awards at the HUB
AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE WINNER OF EACH CATEGORY
Top MTB Female Rider
Top MTB Male Rider
Top Female Runner
Top Male Runner
Top Female Wheelchair
Top Male Wheelchair
Funds raised will be donated to Summit City Singletrack. SCS is responsible for the trail maintenance and trail projects in the Franke Park trail network.
Homestead High School Environmental Center Map
The race terrain consists of gravel paths, roads, grass, and trails.
The event also features a 15,000-centimeter race on trails for Turkey Toddlers 10 & under at 9:45 am.
NO STROLLERS AND NO PETS
NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION
Packet pickup and race registration will be available at Fleet Feet South from 4-6pm on November 20th.
Packet pickup morning of the race at the Homestead Environmental Center from 8:30am to 9:30am.
First 350 registered runners received the 2025 Turkey Trot buff.
Winter Savings - Opening of Registration through March 31 - $17
Spring/Summer Sale - April 1st through August 31st - $20
September 1 through November 19th: $25
Packet Pickup Registration, November 20th only: $27
Turkey Toddler Trot: FREE
*Member discount is applied automatically during registration if you have an active club membership account through runsignup.com.
Sorry, no refunds.
Schedule of events:
11/20: Packet Pickup & Registration at Fleet Feet South from 4-6pm
11/21: 8:30-9:30 Packet Pickup ONLY @ Homestead Environmental Center.
9:45 Turkey Toddlers Trot
10:00 5k Run/Walk Start
USA Swimming Club. Club Excellence: Bronze. Safe Sport Recognized. 283 members.