Poplar Bluff Trails Coalition preps for this year’s runs

For the second consecutive year, the Poplar Bluff Trails Coalition is gearing up for three trail runs, with the first coming on Feb. 10 at the Asher Creek Trail at Lake Wappapello State Park.

Trails Coalition member Brock Littles said past participants hailed from St. Louis, Cape, Springfield, Jefferson City as well as other states.

Littles expects the same this year.

“Last year was the first year where we had a trail race series,” Littles said. “It consisted of three races, and we are going to do that again for 2024. Again, it is not as much about raising money as it is to … just present the trails. A lot of times, people forget about them.”

There will be a 5K at the Asher Creek Trail on Feb. 10, which includes lake views. In April, the Kiwanis will serve as host of a half-marathon and a 6K at the Wolf Creek Trail Run. And in late September, the eight-mile Mark Twain Hardwoods 8 will take place at the Ozark Trail.

All proceeds other than the Kiwanis race will benefit the Poplar Bluff Trails Coalition, as it maintains nearly 130 miles of trails in Butler, Carter and Wayne counties. The Kiwanis race will be a benefit for the Bacon Park playground.

“We have a number of sponsors who help out each year, but the Poplar Bluff Trails Coalition I am a part of — a 501(c)3 — we do benefit from these races,” Littles said. “That first and third race, we do maintain the trails. … We like to expose and showcase the trails to people and give local people the incentive to stay in shape for the year and have a good attitude.”

Throughout Southeast Missouri, there isn’t a shortage of outdoor activities, including the spring colors and fall foliage.

And Littles said the Hardwoods race will offer much more than simply cardiovascular health.

“The scenery is beautiful when you are out running or hiking or whatever. You do see some wildlife,” Littles said. “The Hardwood Forest — it is just an awesome race. It is beautiful (with) the fall trees and the pines.”

Mental health concerns are more prevalent today than ever before. Positive mental health is a direct byproduct of physical health.

“Since COVID, everything has been kind of stressful, different than they were before,” Littles said. “It is just good to get outside and clear your head and get in the fresh air. It is something about the woods. It does help with your state of mind. If you’ve had a stressful day, you can kind of reset.”

To sign up for any of the three races, please visit www.ultrasignup.com.

“You can go there and find us. You can pay, sign up, sign the waiver. It gets emailed to the local chamber of commerce who, in turn, sends it to me,” Littles said.

For those who enter all three races, a nice incentive awaits.

“You get, kind of an award, for doing what we call the triple crown,” Littles said. “That is yet to be determined what that is. It is kind of cool to have something that not everyone else can achieve.”