Off the Beaten Path

Wabash Run the River presented by Visit Wabash County is a half marathon, 10k, and 5k on the second Saturday in June every year. There is still time to train for the 5k, 10k, or 13.1 mile half marathon!  The race kicks off in the morning for participants. The spectator block party is one you won’t want to miss happens until noon! The perfect atmosphere to cheer on your racer. The party begins at 8 AM and will finish at 12 PM as the racers fly through the finish line. Music, food, and beverages to keep you and the family entertained.

We are weeks out from the race and there are many opportunities to train in the coming days. Let your next run take you off the beaten path in Wabash County. We know you won’t have any regrets. 

Go over the fields and through the woods on the 13-mile Bloodroot Trail at Salamonie, so named for the abundance of white-flowering, red sap-filed poppies. Too much trail? Acres Land Trust Kokiwanee Trail contains 139 acres, but the actual trail length hits a doable, yet challenging, 4.6 miles of nonstop beauty along the Salamonie River. 

If the woodsy trails aren’t for you, the paved Wabash River Trail is the perfect alternative. Head East from Paradise Springs and run alongside the Wabash River, you’re almost always lucky enough to spot a bald eagle. About 6.7 miles later, you’ll find yourself in the town of Lagro. This long of a run surely deserves some hardy food and a cold beverage at the 950 Speakeasy Bistro. Catch live music on the weekends. If you take the trail west, you’ll run into White Rock Recreation for premium Ice Cream and an opportunity to book your next river excursion. 

Another point of interest that might not be top of mind is the quaint town of Roann! Park downtown and run to the restored Covered Bridge which sits on the beautiful Eel River. Head downstream and you’ll find another historic feature of Roann, the 19th-century Stockdale Mill. After your notable tour, veer south for a quiet country jog. You can rest up at Bailey’s Pizza Parlor or Lynn’s downtown diner for a full experience in the tiny town of Roann. To support the nutritional component of your training, you won’t want to miss the River Ridge Farm Store. The farm is a four-season garden and greenhouse with produce that looks like a rainbow. Locally grown and pesticide free. River Ridge Farm store sells more than a dozen of other local farm products, making it a convenient place to stock up on all the local goods. 

Rack up the miles with an out-and-back run in the town of Laketon! Another tiny town with an experience you don’t want to miss. If you’re one who loves a diner off the beaten path, Marty’s Bluebird Cafe is for you. Park your vehicle at the cafe and embrace the quiet ambiance of Laketon and the country roads. A warm cup of coffee and a classic diner breakfast will be waiting for you, post-run. 

Step outside your typical routes to keep your training fresh.

Whether you’re in it to win the cash prize or want to up your running game with new sights and sounds, Wabash Run the River will become your go-to annual destination. But why stop at trails? Mix and Match running paths with some of the lesser know experiences in Wabash County; so you can run, play, and eat. Who says you can’t multitask? 

How to sign up?

Head to https://visitwabashcounty.com/ for more information.