March 21, 2024
The Trail of Payne at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is celebrating its 12th annual run this Saturday, March 23rd. The event offers different races for every level of participant, including a 5K, 10K, and 1 Mile Fun Run.
The 5K and 10K begin at the Wauberg Lake picnic area and dock, where participants will enjoy a journey through some of the park's most breathtaking trails. 5K runners will run Jacksons Gap Trail to Cones Dike, where they will turn around to head back to the finish. 10K runners will enjoy many of the same trails as previous race years, except in reverse. From winding paths to open meadows, runners should expect a diverse terrain that will keep you on your toes.
Whether participants choose to tackle the 5K or the 10K, they will encounter a variety of surfaces from packed dirt to soft sand (and even a splash of mud). Trails range from narrow and winding to straight and wide, as well as sunny and open to shady and dense. Plus, with a completely new course layout this year, even seasoned veterans of the Trail of Payne will find themselves exploring uncharted territory.
This annual event truly has something to offer everyone, whether that is an intense challenge or a leisurely stroll.
