HARRODSBURG, Ky. (WKYT) – Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill will hold its 5-Mile Trail Run Saturday, June 28.
Although online registration is closed, participants can register onsite the day of the event for $30.
Each entry fee includes a race t-shirt, admission into Shaker Village, overall and age-group prizes, and refreshments.
Hikers will begin at 7:30 a.m., and runners will start at 8 a.m. Participants will complete a challenging, 5-mile course over a combination of turf and gravel tread.
The 5-Mile Trail Run kicks off the inaugural (un)Pleasant Hill Trail Run Series. Participants who complete all three races in the series will receive a special reward.
“Combining the best of what Kentucky has to offer, these races are plenty hard core for the experienced trail runner and friendly enough for a first timer,” said last year’s Half Marathon overall winner and 2013 5-Mile Trail Run overall female winner Lauren Arnold. “The people are welcoming, the aid stations are numerous, and the atmosphere is festive.”
The 10-Mile Hobbit Hobble will be held Saturday, Sept. 27 with hikers beginning at 8 a.m. and runners starting at 8:30 a.m. Participants will trek through the historic village and alongside rock walls, surrounded by picturesque countryside views similar to those described as J.R.R. Tolkein’s shire. Registrants should be prepared to be greeted by hobbits, elves, goblins and other characters from Tolkein’s novels. The early registration fee (by Aug. 31) is $40, and the race day entry fee is $45.
“The Shaker Village trail runs are a must,” said Arnold. “They fill a void in the local race calendar. Until now, we haven’t been able to enjoy this kind of trail racing experience so close to home.”
The Half Marathon Trail Run will be held Saturday, Nov. 1 with hikers beginning at 7:30 a.m. and runners starting at 8:30 a.m. The Kids’ 1-Mile Fun Run begins at 8:45 a.m. Half Marathon participants will complete a very challenging, 13.1-mile course along Shaker Village’s multi-use trails over rolling hills. The early registration fee for the half marathon (by Oct. 15) is $75, and the race day entry fee is $85. The race day entry fee for the Kids’ 1-Mile Fun Run is $10. Half Marathon registrants will receive a complimentary pasta dinner and reception Friday, Oct. 31.
“Some of Kentucky’s famous limestone fence will run with you for a short while,” said Arnold. “If you are lucky you might see a few deer or a fox. Even with all of this to choose from, my favorite part of the race is the last mile. It’s all uphill and leaves me thinking I want to come back next year and run that mile faster.”
Half Marathon Trail Run participants will receive a 20 percent discount on overnight rooms at The Inn at Shaker Village. To reserve a room at this special rate, please call 800.734.5611, ext. 1545.
Registration forms for the remaining (un)Pleasant Hill Trail Run races can be completed online or downloaded from shakervillageky.org.