Check out the scenery and better your health by running, biking or walking in the Park Rapids area this summer. There are many opportunities for experienced athletes and novices alike.
The Itascatur Ski-Bike-Run Club recommends scenic routes in the area:
- Bike around Fish Hook Lake - begin at Heartland Park. Bike along Highway 34 west to Highway 71, go north to CSAH 18, turn east. Travel along CSAH 18 until you reach CSAH 1, go south until you reach the Heartland Trail, go south back to Heartland Park. The ride is about 11 miles.
- 25-mile bike ride - begin at Heartland Park. Travel to CSAH 1, go north to CSAH 18. Go a short distance on CSAH 18 and turn left on Green Pines Road. Go north along Potato Lake until you reach Vagabond Village campground. Go east on CSAH 40 to CSAH 4 (Lake George Road), then go north to Emmaville. Take CSAH 24 east to CSAH 7, going south to Dorset. Follow the Heartland Trail back to Park Rapids.
- Itasca State Park - there are numerous trails for biking at the park. Rentals are available. The park is located 20 miles north of Park Rapids on Highway 71.
- Soaring Eagle - spring and fall are good times for running on these cross-country ski trails, about 7 miles. The trails are located about 8 miles north of Park Rapids on Highway 71.
- The Heartland Trail is an excellent place for running, biking, inline skating and walking. There are mile markers posted along the trail, which runs from Heartland Park in Park Rapids to Dorset (6.3 miles), Nevis (5.3 miles), Akeley (6.3 miles), Walker (9.4 miles) Wilkinson (12.5 miles) and ends two miles before Cass Lake (7.2 miles).
The hilly snowmobile trail alongside the Heartland Trail, with beautiful scenery and wildlife, is a great opportunity for horseback riding, mountain biking, running and walking.
Bikers can meet for a ride at 6 p.m. Tuesdays in Heartland Park and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. starting at the south entrance to Itasca State Park.
The Hubbard United Methodist Church also hosts a biking group comprised mostly of retired residents. The group meets at 4 p.m. Mondays and 5 p.m. starting in June. On Fridays they will meet at 9 a.m. and 8 a.m. starting in June. For more information, contact Bill or Bobbi Zigmant at 732-9293.
For those looking to quench their thirst for competition, the Park Rapids area has many events throughout the summer:
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- The 2007 Minnesota MS TRAM event will be traveling through the Park Rapids Area Monday and Tuesday, July 23 and 24.
MS Tram is a weeklong bicycle ride through Minnesota with participants staying in various communities along a prescribed route to raise money for multiple sclerosis.
Approximately 1,300 TRAM riders will be coming from Walker Monday afternoon and on Tuesday travel to Itasca State Park and return to Park Rapids where they will then leave Wednesday morning for Wadena.
- Dorset Run/Walk - 5K and 10K at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 23 in Dorset. Registration begins at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Neil King at 652-2611.
- Firecracker Footrace - 5K race at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 4 at Heartland Park. The race is sponsored by Park Rapids Area Schools Community Education and the Panther Track Boosters.
For more information, call 237-6600.
- St. Urho Run - 5K and 10K run 9 a.m. Saturday, July 7 during Menahga's Midsummer Celebration. The race begins at First Street southeast in Menahga.
Pre-register at www.allsportcentral.com and Pete's Conoco.
For more information, contact Tom Ellingson at 564-5497.
- The Fish Hook Half Marathon and 5K Walk/Run will be Sunday, Aug. 19. Half Marathon registrations begin at 6:30 a.m. and the race starts at 7:30 a.m. The 5K Walk/Run registrations begin at 8:30 a.m. and the Walk/Run starts at 9:30 a.m. in Heartland Park.
For more information, call the Park Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-247-0054, e-mail chamber@parkrapids.com or go to the Web site at www.parkrapids.com .
- The 27th Annual Headwaters 100 Ride/Race - 100-mile bike road race and 100-, 75- and 45-mile ride. The race begins at 10 a.m. and the riders must leave after check-in before 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. Registration is from 7 to 9 a.m. Both start at Century School in Park Rapids.
For more information, call the Park Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-247-0054, e-mail chamber@parkrapids.com or go to the Web site at www.parkrapids.com .
