Event Description

WVRR’s Run the Parks Challenge is a virtual race series that encourages runners to get out and enjoy the parks that Terre Haute has to offer.  WVRR is teaming up with the Vigo County and Terre Haute Parks Departments to put this race on.  Participants will receive a super soft t-shirt hoodie, a finisher medal, and all the glory that comes with completing this challenge!  First and second place awards will be given to age groups as well.  Runners must keep records of their runs.  Proof of times may be requested for age group awards.

Participants in the challenge will have from October 23 - November 29 to complete all seven courses in the various parks.  The parks included are:

Deming Park (3 mi/1 mi)
Collett Park (3.75 mi/1.35 mi)
Dobbs Park (2.5 mi/1 mi)
Prairie Creek Park (6 mi/1 mi) 
Fowler Park (3.7 mi/1.3 mi)
Hawthorne Park (4.5 mi/1.5 mi)
Fairbanks Park (4 mi/1.5 mi)

Participants can participate in one of three races offered:

The Lite Challenge

Participants in this challenge will run the short course at each park.  These courses will range 1-3 miles in length.  This would be a great opportunity for participants to participate with the entire family, or those just beginning their journey in the world of running/walking.

The Challenge

Participants in this challenge will run courses varying from 3-6 miles in length.  Participants should note that many of these runs will be on trails.  This IS a challenge!

The ULTRA Challenge

This one is not for the faint of heart!  This challenge is for runners that are looking into putting in some serious mileage in a short amount of time.  Runners in this challenge will have 48 hours to complete all 7 courses (runners must respect the hours of the park).  Participants in this challenge will have to show proof of their runs (with the date and time) using screenshots of their running apps.

Here’s how it works:

Choose your distance!  When you are registering, you will need to decide if you want to run the “long courses” or the “short courses”.  Once you commit to a course, you must stick with it for the duration of the challenge.

After you register, you will receive an email with course maps and descriptions.

Learn the courses!  When you register, you will be emailed maps of each park’s course.  You can complete the courses in any order.  While the courses will be marked and checked multiple times during the week, WVRR cannot guarantee that signs and chalk marks will be visible.  If you notice markings missing, please let us know!  It is the runner’s responsibility to know the course.

Run the courses!  Get out to the parks and RUN.  Take the family, meet a small group of friends, and enjoy the amazing parks that Terre Haute has to offer.  The start/finish lines will be marked with a WVRR sign.  Chalk dots will mark turns and will line some of the course to help guide runners.

Upload your times!  When you finish a run, you will need to go back to Runsignup to put in your times.  You will need to keep evidence of your runs.  Runners may be asked for screenshots or pictures of GPS watches if an award is won.  While we hope and expect that runners will be honest, well… Don’t forget to keep some type of record of your run.  No fancy GPS watch?  No problem!  All you need is a smartphone!  There are several free apps you can add to your smartphone to track your runs.  Check out Runkeeper, MapMyRun, Nike+, Strava, Runtastic, Endomondo, or RunGo.  ANY app will do.  You will just need an app that will show the distance you ran and the time.

Check the leaderboards!  See how you are doing in comparison to other runners in your age groups.  Remember, this is a RACE!  Get competitive.  Awards will be given based on the total combined run times of all seven parks.

Post your runs!  Share your runs on our Facebook/Instagram pages. #wvrrRuntheParks