WHERE: Columbus Grove, OH. Race starts and finishes near Miller’s Lunch in downtown Columbus Grove.
WHEN: Saturday, March 12, 2022. Race starts at 2:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION: Columbus Grove H.S., 201 W. Cross St. Registration starts at noon.
COURSE:4 miles, flat, fast course, all on roads. Course is certified. (#OH 83007 PR).
AWARDS:Prize money will be awarded to the top 3 male and the top 3 female overall finishers. Age group awards to the top 20% in each age group.
ENTRY FEE:$25 with shirt; $15 with no shirt. Shirt sizes only guaranteed if pre-registered. Size selection will be limited on race day. No shirts will be mailed after the race.
Pre-registration deadline will be March 8th.
The race is an affiliate race of Veep Races and has been selected for inclusion to encourage support for this great event.
This race is presented and organized by a separate organization that is wholly responsible for the event. Veep Races highlights the race for runners and athletes who participate in our other events.
On Saturday, May 20th, 2023, commemorate the 107th anniversary of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) by running the AJ Arnett 5K Honor Run. Race start is Saturday morning at 8:30 am. The race starts and finishes at Concordia Lutheran High School, 1601 St Joe River Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.
The race benefits Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana, Shepherd’s House, and Cancer Services of NE Indiana.
There will also be ‘MORNING OF’ REGISTRATION starting at approximately 7:15 am at the CLHS campus. Day before and day of registration fees are $28 for individual and $25 for family discount. There is also a discount for military service.
Early packet pick-up on Friday, May 19th, at Concordia Lutheran High School from 5 pm – 8 pm. On-site registration will be available for friends and family who have not yet registered.
If you would like to confirm your entry – use this tool:
SPC AJ Arnett is a 2004 Concordia graduate and a US Army veteran of the Iraq War. A.J. deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division in January 2005. On July 13, while on patrol in Baghdad, A.J. was seriously wounded in a car bomb attack that resulted in the death of one soldier and seriously wounding another soldier in his squad.
The race will start with a cannon blast and there will be other activities for persons of all ages that will highlight the contribution of the JROTC.
AJ Arnett Biography:
SPC A.J. Arnett, a 2004 Concordia Lutheran High School graduate, was the 2003 CLHS JROTC Battalion Color Guard Commander and the Commander of Snap Squad and Adventure Training Teams. He also was a member of the 2004 All SAC Track Team during his senior year.
A.J. entered the U.S. Army in June of 2004, leaving the day after graduation. He received his initial training at Fort Benning, Georgia as an Infantryman. A.J. was subsequently assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, after completing Basic and Advanced Infantry School.
A.J. deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division in January 2005. On July 13, while on patrol in Baghdad, A.J. was seriously wounded in a car bomb attack that resulted in the death of one soldier and seriously wounding another soldier in his squad.
Suffering shrapnel and blast wounds to his leg, A.J. underwent multiple surgeries to repair the extensive damage to his leg. At one point, he was told that he would never run again, but A.J. persevered and continues to run multiple long distance events.
A.J.’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Expert Driver’s Badge (W), Unit Awards: Presidential Unit Citation, and French Fourragere.
The race is an affiliate race of Veep Races and has been selected for inclusion to encourage support for this great cause.
Veep Races highlights the race for runners and athletes who participate in our other events.
NOTE: The Gingerbread Pursuit is postponed until 2023. Construction and other factors (which proved problematic last year) were not going to allow for the race experience we would have liked.
Race start is 8:30 am. Gather the morning of on Harrison Street near the Promenade Park Pavilion, 202 W. Superior St., Fort Wayne IN 46802
WE HAVE CHANGED THE COURSE TO ALLOW FOR AN EXTENDED START TIME.
All of the event will be outside. Because the start line will remain open longer to accommodate distancing we have altered the course. What is exciting is that the new course gets people up on part of the Pufferbelly Trail and will take them UNDERNEATH Clinton Street along Spy Run Creek north of Science Central.
The new Clinton Street trail underpass in shown in the photo here.
The race prep and after refreshments will not take place in the Promenade Park pavilion. The race will start on Harrison Street, runners will go due north, then across the back of the St. Vincent’s Villa property (now the Headwaters Church). Expect a short bit of cross country over the soccer field. Runners will then enter the new Pufferbelly trail at Jacobs Street and proceed toward West State. Then runners will take the ramp down from the trail, take the brand new trail along Spy Run Creek that runs UNDER Clinton Street, then south past Science Central to the RiverGreenway. From there runners will head east along the Greenway to a turn-around point past the Old Fort toward the Filtration Plant. Runners will then turn and head back west to finish past the Dr. Martin Luther King Bridge but before the Harrison Street bridge
Start a new Holiday Season tradition with the Gingerbread Pursuit 4 Mile Run.
“The gingerbread man, he’s out of the pan! Chase him, yes chase him as fast as you can!”
EXCITING – The Start and Finish will both be near Fort Wayne’s new Promenade Parkalong the St. Marys adjacent to Harrison and Superior downtown!
The Gingerbread Pursuit has been paused for 2022. It will resume in 2023.
Your race bib will earn you (and a child) free entry to the Gingerbread Festival at The History Center.
The Gingerbread Pursuit was the FIRST race event to be held at the NEW Promenade Park.
Start on Harrison Street adjacent to the park, then runners will head north on Harrison, across the back of the Headwaters Church property, then to the Pufferbelly Trail, down the ramp by West State, then underneath Clinton Street to emerge north of Science Central. Tunners will then go south on the trail to hook up on will hook up on the Greenway near the Skate Park. Then run east along the Rivergreenway past the Old Fort toward the Filtration Plant, turn around and then go back west and finish on the Greenway past the Martin Luther King Bridge.
The race helps promote the Gingerbread Festival at The History Center and each runner will get a free entry to the Festival after the race; your race bib number is your entry to the Festival. It is amazing to see all the Gingerbread structures created for this Holiday tradition.
Part of your entry goes to support The History Center in its effort to bring heritage education to elementary students.
There is plentiful parking downtown. You may wish to park between Promenade Park and The History Center if you plan to visit the Gingerbread Festival immediately after the race.
Route: NOTE: The route was changed for 2020 to accommodate the start mat being open longer for runners to race safely. We are keeping the altered course this year as Allen County is now designated red for COVID transmission. Runners will head north on Harrison to the gate at the former St Vincent Villa. It will be slightly cross country to meet up with the Pufferbelly Trail. From there it will exit just prior to W. State Blvd to go east on the new trail along Spy Run Creek, UNDER Clinton Street, following the trail past Science Central and then south through Lawton Park to the Greenway. Runners will then head east to a turnaround – then back west to finish at the Greenway and Third Street. The race route can be viewed here. The route may be slightly altered as we move closer to the race date.
2021 results will be posted simultaneously with the race completion on eRunner Timing and Results – our timing services provider.
NOTE: Refreshments will be limited this year but the Gingerbread cupcakes from Sassie Cakes are back. Individually bottled water and individually wrapped cookies will be at the finish line at the tent. Each finisher will receive a giant Spangler peppermint candy cane. We ask that runners disperse and go their vehicle immediately after finishing to be in compliance with our safety plan.
Come out and help promote The History Center and the Gingerbread Festival for the holidays!
TESTIMONIALS
Awesome race, I have run this race every year since 2014. So much fun, very competitive!Great refreshments afterwards! Patricia Barger-Shoemaker December 08, 2018
[G]reat race! Pretty cool to run in the snow, and the courthouse afterwards was fantastic. Dave Daugherty December 09, 2017
This was a ton of fun! The gingerbread cupcakes were amazing! Thank you to all who helped put on this event. Drew Bruton December 09, 2017
Once there was a gingerbread man, Baking in a gingerbread pan. Raisin eyes and a cherry nose, Trimmed right down to his fingers and toes. A gingerbread man in a gingerbread pan!
Here’s the old woman who made him so sweet, A treat for her and her husband to eat, She made him with flour and sugar and eggs, She gave him a face and two arms and two legs. A gingerbread man in a gingerbread pan!
Now open the oven to see if he’s done, This gingerbread man, he knows how to run. Out of the oven and onto the floor, Now run away out the kitchen door. The gingerbread man, he’s out of the pan!
Now chase him old woman, now chase him old man Chase him, yes chase him as fast as you can! Through the garden and out the gate, Catch him right now, before it’s too late. The gingerbread man, he’s out of the pan!
The 2023 Waterfall 5K/10Khas been postponed for this year.
Race start is 8:30 am at the Hominy Ridge Lake parking area.
The 2021 race has a different challenge – reconstruction of parts of the Salamonie Dam. This led us to have the race start and finish near the historic 1937 Civilian Conservation Corps pavilion at Hominy Ridge Lake. That opened up more of the trail to see and experience.
5K and 10K races are on the trails of the Salamonie State Forest. The site has numerous waterfalls and is one of Indiana’s true natural treasures. You may even see a bald eagle swooping across the water of the Salamonie River.
The latitude and longitude for the start at Hominy Ridge Lake is: 40.808045112091484, -85.6828868731689. You can print a pdf map of Hominy Ridge Lake here.
There will be ‘morning-of’ registration at the Hominy Ridge Lake parking area. We are now taking credit cards for ‘day-of’ registration. You may pay ‘day-of’ by credit card, cash or check. If you have the Square ‘Wallet’ – you may pay by your Square smartphone app.
You can check the status of your registration here:
The Galloping Gobbler has become Fort Wayne’s new family tradition for Thanksgiving. Folks visiting from across the country have made room for the turkey and trimmings by running the four mile Galloping Gobbler course. The four miler will start at the Hutzell Athletic Center on the campus of the University of Saint Francis and then take you through Fort Wayne’s historic Lindenwood Cemetery before finishing back at campus.
The RACE IS LIVE. Let’s truly give thanks for being shepherded through this past year. It is time to celebrate together.
Runners have enjoyed music, posing with a chip timing, and the camaraderie of over 2100 runners, friends and family over the years. We have been looking forward to having a TRUE THANKSGIVING in 2023 when we can all be together again.
Know that we have worked hard to have a safe, in-person event.
Join us, your family and friends for the 2023 event when we will have a really special day of Thanksgiving. Blessings for you and your family.
PACKET PICK-UP: ( The following is packet information for the live event. Packet pick up for the Galloping Gobbler will be Wednesday from approximately 5:45 to 7:45 PM at the Hutzell Athletic Center on the USF campus off Leesburg Road south of Spring Street. Packets may also be picked up on race morning starting at approximately 7:10 AM.
PARKING: Parking is at a premium with the large crowd. We would recommend you use the North Campus lot off Spring Street (the largest lot is BEHIND the building) or the lots near Spring Street and Lindenwood Avenue. It is a short walk across campus to Hutzell and one gets to see the restored Bass Mansion up close. You may view a map of the campus here.
Awards are unique art glass engraved trophies given out race morning for Overall 1st, 2nd & 3rd Mens and Womens Overall. Also, Mens and Womens Masters and GrandMasters. 1st, 2nd and 3rd age group medals.
Testimonials:
Liz Schloss on 11/22/2018
A Thanksgiving tradition that I love and treasure. Great course, great people, great time.
Elizabeth Smith on 11/22/2018
Great run experience for a new runner! Well organized, interesting route, lots of fun!
David Kelly on 11/26/2010
Great event! Well managed, no hassle venue with 2,000 participants. Fast course in the prettiest cemetery ever. Hilly and interesting with a happy family and friends atmosphere. Run or walk at any pace. Train to win or push the stroller. Everyone gets home by 10am to enjoy Thanksgiving. Perfect! See you next year.
Melissa Walda on 11/25/2009
Fun start to Thanksgiving for runners or walkers. Very family friendly!
Unfortunately, the 2022 HUFF has been paused for this year.
It is something of a consequence of COVID. We were most proud of conducting a safe HUFF in 2020. It was the most gratified I felt of any HUFF as the safety plan was executed well and that was a tribute to our volunteers, our vendors, and, most importantly, our runners.
Several runners approached me after they finished (and before they complied with the plan to not congregate and leave shortly after they finished). They all said a variation of what the first runner from Chicago told me, “Thank for going forward with the race. You have no idea what you have done for my mental health.”
However, the very large Thanksgiving Day race we conduct had been cancelled. That loss of revenue and the lower numbers of participants for races that were conducted meant difficulty with fixed expenses.
We needed to ensure the health and restoration of the Thanksgiving Day race to reengage at the quality level of the past.
And, thankfully, I can report that has occurred. About a third to half of the running community was not ready to attend races in 2021 but in 2022, the runners are back. We have had a great response from sponsors and the plan for the Galloping Gobbler is on track.
Finally, I want to say that we want a HUFF where we properly acknowledge and honor our past HUFF champion Mark Godale. And we want to do so in a way that is worthy of Mark’s achievements and friendship.
That we can do by executing a 2023 plan worthy of Mark, our volunteers and . . . each of you – the runners of The HUFF.
2023 will be the the start of our second 25 years of continuous events. The first 25 years were without interruption. 25 years without change of time of year so that you can test yourself against time, distance . . . and Mother Nature.
We have taken on constructing a robust safety plan. It will require different practices and a paring down of activities associated with it. But we know folks want to run and we are endeavoring to create a safe platform for runners, volunteers and support personnel to do so.
If circumstances change, registrants will be notified. The race start will take place at the top of the hill (above the Sand Lake parking area). This will put participants in close proximity to the major parking lots above Sand Lake. ALSO, 50K participants will start at 8 AM. One Loop AND Relay participants will start at 9 AM or later. The start mat will be open for each event at least 15 minutes.
Relay teams will run together and add their times. This is a change from what we have jokingly called the only real rule for The HUFF. We have always required relay teams to run a real relay – with the next leg not begun until the prior leg’s runner had crossed the mat at the chute. In 2021, we experimented with what we termed “Mix and Match” – runners could run as a regular relay with the first runner starting at 8 am; run together starting an hour later; or have one runner run one leg and the other two on the team run together. We may keep that flexibility because we found it fit the situation of some runners for which it aided their scheduling or child care.
Understand we are still working with health authorities on this plan and that details may change as circumstances change.
Note that entry to Chain O’ Lakes State Park is included in your registration; you will not have to obtain a parking pass or pay at the gate on race morning.
What sort of a challenge is The HUFF 50K? Here is a great video of the 2016 race:
Packet pick-up will be available both the night before the race from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Friday night at Running Around Screen Printing, 227 W Van Buren St, Columbia City, IN 46725 and then again on Saturday morning before the race at the Main Tent at Sand Lake, COL State Park. You will be able to make changes to teams or make corrections in your name.
Running Around Screen Printing is located at 227 W Van Buren St, Columbia City, IN 46725 – 2 blocks west of the Whitley County Courthouse.
Runners can gather after packet pick up on Friday night from 5:45 pm to approximately 8 pm at Chapman’s Tap Room just a block and a half from Running Around Screen Printing. Chapman’s is directly across from the Whitley County Courthouse at 227 W Van Buren St, Columbia City, IN 46725. The Tap Room has great craft beer.
Results will be shown continuously scrolling on television screens in the Main Tent during the race day. Periodic updates will be posted throughout the day at erunner.biz/results.
Course map. You may view the 2022 course map below or at this link . The new map made changes so that the runners face more rational choices in direction where parts of the two courses converge and diverge. Runners will all be running in the same direction wherever the courses do converge. Relay runners and one loop runners will run the GREEN course. 50K individual runners will be running the PINK course. Trail flags in the respective colors will guide runners along the course.
2020 Finishers of the 50K and the Relay will receive belt buckles. The One Loop Finishers will receive medals.
Overall and age group winners will also receive plaques.
The OVERALL 50K Winners will receive one of the heaviest awards in ultramarathoning. It is a specially cast translucent blue art glass slab with the race logo etched into its face.
The 2017 and 2016 HUFF runners faced some of our toughest weather conditions. However, the 2015 HUFF enjoyed great weather conditions. We thank those who made it a near record breaking year for the number of 50K finishers.
Testimonials
Shawn Tate Peterson: So well coordinated. I cannot wait to do this race again next year! (Written January 2015)
Julie Ader Loving: “Best race ever! This is our third year running the Huff 50k. Beautiful trails, aid stations are wonderful tons of food especially the chocolate turtles. The volunteers were amazing! Nicest people you will ever meet. very organized too, we will definitely be back for 2015.”
Doug Sawyer: “Overall I have to say this was a great race. It was a beautiful, and, if it wasn’t for the snow, fast course.[ … ] The race was well organized, the staff and volunteers fantastic and the food and bling awesome.”
The 2014 and 2013 HUFF weather conditions were outstanding. A great video showing the trail and illustrating the fun of The 2014 HUFF was made by Scott VanLoo.
A synonym of ‘ultra’ is ‘extreme’. The 2011 HUFF 50K had extreme and unusual water conditions. Those conditions were unique in the 50 year history of Chain O’ Lakes and are unlikely to be repeated. The likeliest winter race conditions are like those of 2012, 2013, and 2014; race conditions runners regarded as ‘perfect’ and ‘perfectly beautiful’.
The HUFF Medals.
50K finishers will receive a custom gold colored medal. The 2017 design featured three time winner Ann Heaslett. 50K Relay finishers will receive a silver colored medal. All medals are made in the Midwest, or, as we like to say, the Old Northwest Territory.
Now a tradition – One Loop Run (10+/- miles) finishers will receive a medal.
The 2011 medal (shown) featured the historic one-room brick Stanley Schoolhouse that now serves as the Chain O’ Lakes Nature Center, the torch symbol from Indiana’s state flag and the two bucks with locked antlers discovered in 2007 at Norman Lake in the Park.
Check-In: Packet pick-up will be available the day before on Friday night (December 16th) OR starting at 7:30 AM at the race (Chain O’ Lakes gate house) on race day (December 17th). Packet pick-up is at Running Around Screen Printing in its historic building in Columbia City one block west of the Courthouse.
Events:
Individual 50K Trail Run
3 Person 50K Relay
1 Loop (10.8 miles) Fun Run
December 28, 2019
Start time 8:00 am for the Relay and One Loop Runs; 8:15 am for the Individual 50K.
LOCATION: VERY IMPORTANT The HUFF 50KÂ moved to a new venue in northeast Indiana ten years ago CHAIN O’ LAKES State Park in Albion, Indiana. The terrain is more technical than at the Huntington Reservoir.
AID STATIONS:
There will be three staffed aid stations along with the Start/Finish tent and one unmanned aid station. You may view the old map here. We’ll p0st a new map prior to the 2018 race; an adjustment was made to move the Aid Station at the Fishing Pier across Sand Lake to the parking lot at Dock Lake. Aid stations are marked with blue stars are manned. All runners in all race categories will pass by the aid stations.
Here are a few of the things that will be available at the aid stations:Â water, sport drink, coffee, hot chocolate at some, bananas, PB sandwiches at some, pretzels, potato chips, tortilla chips, M&M’s, defizzed Coke, boiled potatoes, kidney beans (if our stocker agrees with me), turkey sandwiches at some, unbelievable and out of this world chocolate turtles at the Stanley School and grilled hamburgers at the Rally Camp Aid Station.
Our thanks to great volunteers and our Main Tent staff for heading up the manned stations.
PARKING:VERY IMPORTANT: Runners should park in one of the three large surface lots near the campground. This is a short walk to the Main Tent at the Sand Lake Main Tent. The parking lot at Sand Lake will be utilized for the Start/Finish, volunteers, service and emergency vehicles. For everyone’s safety, please use the two campground lots or one of the other lots nearby. When you enter the Park, go past the drive off to Sand Lake – continue to one of the next two entryways to your right. Those are the campground lots.
Again, no entry pass will be required for 2022 – it is included in your entry fee.
Camping is available at the Chain O’ Lakes State Park. Pick a site when you arrive and a ranger will be around to collect the fee at some point in your stay. Chain O’ Lakes Park number is (260) 636-2654
Coordinates: Those who are interested in latitude/longitude coordinates for mapping devices may consult this list:
For the RUNNER’S PARKING AREA
Latitude, Longitude
41.330674,-85.372256
For the MAIN TENT:
Latitude, Longitude
41.330007,-85.383334
For the START/FINISH:
Latitude, Longitude
41.329644,-85.382465
For AID STATION A at the Stanley One Room Schoolhouse:
Latitude, Longitude
41.338184,-85.36547
For AID STATION B at Rally Camp:
Latitude, Longitude
41.338715,-85.41742
For AID STATION at the Dock Lake Parking lot:
Latitude, Longitude
41.334843, -85.375394
All 50K and relay entrants will receive running gear bearing the HUFF50K logo.
Make checks payable to: VEEP Races.
Contact:
Mitch Harper RD@VeepRaces.com
5207 Hopkinton Dr.
Fort Wayne IN 46814Phone: 260.436.4824Mobile: 260-435-9524
Showers: Showers are not available on site when the race occurs after Christmas Day.
Hot showers will be available in 2020 at the Whitley County Family YMCA in Columbia City IN and the Cole Center YMCA in Kendallville after the race but before 6 PM. Both YMCA’s have graciously allowed the use of their facilities on race afternoon by 2017 and 2018 runners.
Awards: Belt buckle medals to 50K, 50K Relay Finishers will be presented at the finish line, and – now, since 2012 – medals for One Loop Finishers, will be presented at finish line.
The heaviest award in ultramarathons will be presented to the overall male and female winners of The HUFF 50K. In past years, it was first a large cast gargoyle, then it was a large granite plaque. Starting in 2016, it is a translucent slab of sandblasted art glass produced by the oldest art glass manufacturer in the United States.
Age group awards will be presented at end of race or will be mailed to participants.
