CHALLENGE YOURSELF, NATURE AT PARKS DEPARTMENT'S WILD IN THE WOODS TRAIL RUN SERIES 

St. Charles County Parks Department - For those individuals seeking something a bit more challenging than another walk in the park, the St. Charles County Parks Department hosts its Eighth Annual Wild in the Woods Trail Run Series.  Held at four County parks from September through early November, the off-road runs may be competed as single races or as part of the four-race series.  Prizes will be awarded at each race to top males and females in five-year age groups, as well as for the top overall finishers in each age group during the entire series.

Registration fees are $25 for each individual race or $85 for the four-race series (series entrants must register before Sept. 1 to receive the discount).  The first 125 registrants are guaranteed to receive a promotional giveaway at each race, although race-day registrations will be accepted.  To register, please visit www.stccparks.org or call 636-949-7535.

The first race is scheduled on Sept. 19 at Matson Hill Park.  Featuring steep and rolling hills, the course will travel 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) over paved roads, gravel roads, and winding single-track dirt trails.  The race will begin at 9 a.m., at the Katy Trail Parking Lot on Highway 94 South in Matson and continue into the park.

The second race is scheduled on Oct. 3 at Klondike Park.  Featuring multiple steep hills and uneven terrain, the seven-mile course will travel over hard-surface trail, park roads, crushed stone trail, and single-track natural surface.  The race will begin at 9 a.m., at Shelter # 1 in the park, which is located at 4600 Highway 94 South near Augusta.

The third race is scheduled on Oct. 24 at Indian Camp Creek Park.  Crossing a predominantly flat terrain with a few hills, the 10-mile course will travel over paved park roads, single-track dirt trails, and natural terrain.  The race will begin at 9 a.m., at the Lakeside Pavilion in the park, which is located at 2679 Dietrich Road (approximately seven miles north of Interstate 70 along Highway 61) near Foristell.

The fourth race is scheduled on Nov. 7 at Quail Ridge Park.  Winding along the park's undulating terrain, the five-mile course will travel over hard-surface and single-track dirt trails.  The race will begin at 9 a.m., at the Group Picnic Area in the park, which is located near the intersection of Interstate 70 and Highway 40/61, at 5501 Quail Ridge Parkway in Wentzville.

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