Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Camp Ondessonk Moccasin Gap Trail Run

Let me give a shameless plug for a new race --- Camp Ondessonk is a Christian youth camp in Ozark, Illinois. The camp is located in the beautiful Shawnee forest. It's a trail runner's dream and for the first time, they are hosting a 10-mile and 5k distance trail race.

Date is October 22nd. From the brochure "The Moccasin Gap Trail Run will utilize a series of scenic and challenging trails within and surrounding Camp Ondessonk. This rugged 10-mile route will take runners past some of the outdoor highlights...such as Cedar Falls (the highest free-falling waterfall in the state) and past one of the 11 known Native American Stone Fort sites in Southern Illinois. The trail departs Camp to wind up the ridges and through the sandstone creek valleys of the surrounding Shawnee National Forest, eventually joining up with the River to River Trail. Runners will cross rock-bottom creeks, traverse ridge lines on old Forest Service roads, and climb a series of switchbacks including a stretch of trail boasting over a mile of sustained climb to a historic U.S. Forest Service fire observation tower."

My family has a long history with this camp, so this event is near and dear to my heart. I will definitely be making the three-hour drive south that weeekend. Now to start running trails...

Link to Race Website

4 comments:

Kate Geisen said...

I spent lots of happy days at Camp O. I've been asked to do an adventure race that same weekend, but if it doesn't work out I'm going to do what I can to be at this one. I love camp and trail running...and this looks like an awesome race!

Kate Geisen said...

Already posted it on facebook. :) Of course, it doesn't help that the race is the same weekend as Rock n Roll St. Louis, but I'm too cheap for that, anyway. :)

ShutUpandRun said...

Just read your 70.3 race report. So impressive and you a girl after my own heart using a Scooby Doo towel. Nice race for you, especially given those ridiculously hot conditions!

Ransick said...

Sounds like a fun run. We have a BD in the family that day but depending on schedules, I might still be able to do it. Slight problem in that I don't run trails. Maybe it's time to start.