Prairie Run 2024

Help support the Nature Center and the work we do to preserve the tallgrass prairie. This walk/run will take you along mowed trails through the prairie, up and over rolling hills, along groundwater fed ponds, and through the tallgrass prairie. This run is a fundraiser for the Pioneers Park Nature Center and is not officially timed.

Pick your distance on this untimed, recreational walk/run that will take you through the tallgrass prairie, up and over rolling hills, and along spring-fed ponds. The 1-mile course is a moderate route on mowed trails with some hills. The 5K option is a challenging, hilly course over uneven terrain. A 25K will take you twice around the prairie on the 10K loop and wrap up with the final 5K. Lincoln’s first 50K will be an opportunity for ultra-curious people to experience a marathon-plus distance. For more experienced ultra runners, you can chase a fast time.

See the registration site for full details of distances, a course map, and race-day instructions.

Register online

Registrations must be completed online.

Kids 1 Mile - Ages 12 & Under
5K Adult - Ages 13 & Up
25K and 50K - Ages 13 and Up

Registration fees are non-refundable. If you are unable to participate in the race, your registration fee will be used as a donation to the care of our prairie land management program and the animals that live there.

*Registrants can choose to run/walk the 1 mile loop or the 5K route. An adult chaperone can run/walk with a child on the 1 mile.

START TIMES

5k/25k/50k- 8:00am (9 hour cutoff) by the school house
1 mi- 8:05am by the cabin at the bottom of the hill

LOCATION

Pioneers Park Nature Center, 3201 S. Coddington Ave. Lincoln, NE.

Entrances to Pioneers Park are located on the east and north ends of the park. The Nature Center is located on the west end of the park. Parking is available at the Nature Center. Look for signs as you wind through the park roads heading west.

COURSE MAP

CHECK IN

PACKET PICK UP IS DAY OF ONLY. Volunteers will be ready by 7:00 a.m. for check in.

RULES

"Rules on the Run" are principles of trail running etiquette that foster environmentally-sound and socially-responsible trail running.

Stay on the Trail A well-marked trail already exists; they are not made on the day you head out for a run. Do not create new trails that increase footprints on the environment.
Run Over Obstacles Run single file in the middle of the trail the best you can, even when laden with a fresh blanket of snow or muddy. Go through puddles and not around them as we do not want the trail widened or eroded. Use caution when going over obstacles and uneven ground. Respect Animals Do not disturb or harass wildlife. Please, no pets allowed at the Nature Center.
Be Friendly Give an audible announcement that you are passing on the left. Be ready to yield to others that might be passing you on the trail.
Safety We suggest that participants refrain from using Ipods/headphones in the race for safety reasons. A first aid station will be set up at the end of the race and volunteers will be around the course to assist you if needed.
Do not litter. Pack out everything you started the race with. Recycle and trash bins will be scattered around the area.
Water/Refreshments: There will be water available before and after the race. Refreshments will be offered following the race.
Inclement weather. The race will be held in rain, sleet or snow. Only lightning will delay the race.

DONATIONS

Proceeds from this event support the land management of the prairie. There are no refunds for this event, if it is cancelled due to weather or unforeseen conditions, proceeds from registrations will be considered a donation.

Aid Stations

Food will be typical aid station fare. There will be vegetarian options available, but if you have specific food needs please plan for yourself.

Aid Station #1, known as Buffalo Chip, will be at the 4 mile mark. It will be water only, potentially a port a potty.

Aid Station #2, known as The Herd, will be located on the south side of the school house. Food and water (we are hoping to expand beverage options to calorie based drinks in the future).

Runners will have the option to have a drop bag for extra clothes. After lap 1, runners are expected to “check out” with aid station volunteers so we can track who is where on the course. To check out, simply state “Runner #____ leaving for lap___”.

Awards

There will be no overall prizes for runners in this event. Finishers of the 25k will receive a custom metal cup. Finishers of the 50k will receive a hat and custom metal cup.