HANCOCK COUNTY — Lace up those sneakers.
After a year when most 5Ks and other competitive outdoor events were canceled due to COVID-19, local walkers, runners and cyclists are gearing up for an active summer.
Whether motivated by shiny new medals or the thrill of simply crossing the finish line, lots of people love the challenge of completing walking, running and biking events.
Hancock County had so many, in fact, that in 2019 race organizers created a passport just for those who wanted to complete all the events in the county. Then the pandemic brought those races to an abrupt halt, canceling virtually all the events planned last year.
But this year’s looking much more promising.
Nearly a dozen races are scheduled to take place in Hancock County this year, and a few have already been completed.
Laura Baker, a navigator with Healthy365, is thrilled to support race organizers in planning their events this year, keeping health and safety at top of mind.
“We’re trying to encourage any events that are happening in any way we can, offering advice on how to keep people healthy and safe,” said Baker, who also coordinates the annual Hancock Flat 50 bike race, which will take cyclists along 50 miles of county roads this August.
Baker said it’s great to see so many popular events returning after a year’s hiatus.
“It is exciting knowing that as people continue to be immunized we’ll reach that herd immunity, and more and more events can be held more and more safely,” she said.
Being isolated over the past year has taken a toll on people’s mental health and has caused some to develop poor diet and exercise habits, Baker said.
Community 5Ks and other events are great motivators to get people back to being active and social, she said, while often raising money and awareness for a good cause.
On April 24, more than $3,200 was raised at the annual Donut Dash 5K benefiting Alternatives, Inc., a victim support organization that works to eradicate domestic and sexual violence.
While last year’s 5K was virtual, this year the nonprofit offered both in-person and virtual registration options. Those who participated in person hit the starting line in groups of 10 to enhance social distancing.
Ashley Waterbury-Carpenter, the nonprofit’s chief operating officer, thought this year’s fifth annual Donut Dash went off without a hitch, despite rain.
Special health and safety protocols were put into place to make participants feel comfortable, she said. The doughnuts and T-shirts that were distributed were individually packaged this year to minimize contact.
Race organizers throughout the county are taking steps to make race participants feel as safe and comfortable as possible. Most are encouraging social distancing and mask use, although masks won’t be required.
The town of Cumberland is playing host to a new 5K event this year, the Cumberland Trails Run 5-Mile Race and 1-Mile Family Fun Run, to be held June 5 at Lions Park.
The race coincides with a Family Fun Day the town is hosting from 12-4 p.m., in celebration of National Trails Day.
“Our trails are beautiful. It’s such a hidden gem,” said Julie Patterson, communications and special projects coordinator for the town.
Proceeds from the event will go toward the Cumberland Police Department’s C.A.R.E. Unit, which assists law enforcement in working with calls involving mental illness.
Patterson said there’s a reason for hosting a five-mile event rather than a 5K — the route takes participants past a new mural and new trailhead structure on the trail.
“You wouldn’t be able to go past them if we just did a 5K,” she said, but the one-mile fun run and walk is an option for those who prefer a shorter distance.
Patterson said people seem excited to get back to public events after virtually all of Cumberland’s events were canceled due to COVID last year. An active event like the trail run seems like the ideal way to get the community back together, she said.
New Palestine organizers are hoping for a big turnout at next month’s Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk and Dragon Derailleur bike race. A dragon is the high school’s mascot, while a derailleur is a bicycle gear system.
Both the run and bike race will take place on June 26. Both events serve as a fundraiser for the organizer, New Palestine Main Street, which hosts community events throughout the year.
On July 10, racers can lace up for the The 4th at Fortville Fun Run, as part of the town of Fortvile’s Fourth of July celebration.
The event, put on by Fortville Friends of the Parks, benefits the town’s parks.
The race starts at 8 a.m. at Landmark Park, which will be the site of a car show, food trucks, live music and fireworks later in the day.
On Aug. 14 the town of McCordsville will be host of the Path to Fitness 5K, which is back in person this year after going virtual in 2020.
Proceeds go to the Building a Brighter McCordsville Fund, which helps pay for park-related amenities and grants.
This is the seventh year for the town’s 5K run and one mile run/walk, town manager Said Tonya Galbraith said.
The run/walk starts and finishes at the Hancock Wellness Center parking lot in McCordsville, starting at 8 a.m.
The next weekend, on Aug. 21, Sister Cities of Greenfield will have its annual Sister Cities 5K, which will be held virtually for the second year in a row.
The yearly fundraiser benefits the City of Greenfield’s Sister City program, which is shared by its sister city, Kakuda, Japan
On Aug. 28, the popular Hancock Flat 50 bike race returns.
The sixth annual event will take cyclists on a 50-mile trek through Hancock County, beginning and ending at the new Depot Park in downtown Greenfield.
The race previously started and ended on North Street, but the new location will allow for greater social distancing, race coordinator Laura Baker said.
There’s even a ticket option for those who don’t wish to ride but want to enjoy the after-party with food trucks and live music after the race.
While the bike race is a lot of fun, and a great motivator for fitness, it’s also a boon to local businesses who set up at the event, said Baker, adding that this year’s route is not yet finalized.
Later this year, the Cumberland Metro Police Department will have its annual Monster Dash 5K Walk/run, taking place Oct. 16 on the Pennsy Trail. Awards will be given for the best costumes among kids and adults, as well as the top male and female finisher.
On Thanksgiving Day, those seeking a little pre-feast exercise can choose to start their day with a 5K at either the Turkey Trot in Shirley or the Turkey Day 5K in downtown Greenfield.
Both events were canceled last year, but organizers are looking forward to welcoming racers back this year, providing a fun way to kick off Thanksgiving while getting in some exercise.
The Shirley event has been a Thanksgiving Day tradition for many since 2010, even when the event went virtual last year.
The Turkey Day 5K, held at the same time in downtown Greenfield, was started in 2016 and has grown steadily each year.
Proceeds benefit the three hosting organizations: Greenfield Parks & Recreation, Hancock Hope House and Greenfield Main Street.
In 2019, local race organizers banded together to create the Hancock County Run/Walk/Roll Series, which encouraged race enthusiasts to take part in a number of races held throughout the county in a given year.
The passport idea fizzled the next year when nearly all races were canceled due to the pandemic, and hasn’t been revisited for this year, but Baker said organizers may join forces and revive the series in the future.
“For now, we’re all just looking forward to getting back to offering our individual events again and getting people back outside,” she said.
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Here’s a look at run/walk events on tap for this year in Hancock County. If you know about an event not listed here, email information to [email protected]
June 5
Cumberland Trails 5 Mile Run/Walk
Lions Park, 201 N. Buck Creek Road, Cumberland
Organized by: Town of Cumberland
Benefiting: Cumberland Behavioral Health C.A.R.E. Unit
Race starts at 8 a.m., Family Fun Day follows from 12-4 p.m.
Registration/information: raceroster.com/events/2021/46495/cumberland-trails-run
June 26
Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Walk
New Palestine Elementary School, 4801 S. County Road 500W, New Palestine
Organized by: New Palestine Main Street
Benefiting: New Palestine Main Street
Registration/information: newpalsummerfest.com/dragon-dash
June 26
Dragon Derailleur Bicycle Ride
Hancock Wellness Center, 4055 South Roy Wilson Way, New Palestine
Organized by: New Palestine Main Street
Benefiting: New Palestine Main Street
Registration/information: newpalsummerfest.com/dragon-derailleur-bicycle-ride
July 10
The 4th at Fortville Fun Run
Landmark Park, 223 E. Staat St., Fortville
Organized by: Fortville Friends of the Parks
Benefiting: Fortville parks
Registration/information: facebook.com/fortvillefriendsoftheparks
Aug. 14
McCordsville Path to Fitness 5K
Hancock Wellness Center, 8505 N. Clearview Drive, McCordsville
Organized by: Town of McCordsville
Benefiting: Building a Brighter McCordsville Fund
Registration/information: secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=135604
Aug. 21
Sister Cities 5K (virtual)
Organized by: Sister Cities of Greenfield
Benefiting: Sister Cities of Greenfield
Registration/information: getmeregistered.com/SisterCities5K
Aug. 28
Hancock Flat 50
Organized by: Healthy365
Benefiting: Hancock County Trails Master Plan and bikeway signage
Registration/Information: hancockflat50.com
Oct. 16
Monster Dash 5K Walk/Run
Pennsy Trail, by the Town of Cumberland offices, 11501 E. Washington St., Cumberland
Organized by: Cumberland Metro Police Department
Benefiting: Cumberland Behavioral Health C.A.R.E. Unit
Costumes encouraged
Registration/information: eventbrite.com
Nov. 25
Turkey Day 5K
Memorial Building, 98 E. North St., Greenfield
Organized by: Greenfield Parks & Recreation, Hancock Hope House and Greenfield Main Street
Benefiting: Greenfield Parks & Recreation, Hancock Hope House and Greenfield Main Street
Registration/information: greenfieldturkeyday5k.com
Nov. 25
Shirley Turkey Trot
Shirley-Wilkinson Community United Methodist Church, 309 South St., Shirley
Organized by: Shirley-Wilkinson Community United Methodist Church
Benefiting: Local charities
Registration and information: facebook.com/Shirleyturkeytrot
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