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NEAR KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Nestled in Thousand Hills State Park outside Kirksville is the Forest Lake Area Trail System.

Ivy Koger of Kirksville  said every time he ran the trail, he thought about how much fun it would be if there was a race there.

So, he created a half marathon that follows that trail.

The magazine, Running Times, spotlighted his race.

“That was actually a really great honor," Koger said. "I believe a local runner submitted the race as a potential race to be showcased, and they chose me. “They called to interview me and ask me about the race…it was a really great honor. They (not only) think about how fun the race is, or how many people do it, but more about how it impacts the community. And, I think that was the really touching part about it to me.”

Koger said being in the magazine has definitely improved the race's visibility.

He said the trail is very unique.

“It's its own complete adventure. And, it’s definitely the opposite of boring,” Koger said.

“It’s 13 miles, and every single mile is different than the others. Out there there’s twist and turns… rocks and roots and little bridges, and low-hanging branches and logs you have to jump over. There might even be some mud. It’s just really fun and it's really thrilling."

Koger said on this trail you have to pay close attention, and you have to stay engaged.

When: 
The race is at 8:30 a.m. October 21.

Registering:

You can sign up on active.com and search for the FLATS Trail Half Marathon.

You can also get an entry form from the-pack.org.

Or, you can pick a form up at the Thompson Campus Center on the A.T. Still University campus in Kirksville.

Marathon day:

There’s a shuttle bus that will carry the runners from the finish line to the starting line, so their cars are waiting for them.

The bus leaves at 7 a.m. October 21 from Jackson Stables outside Kirksville.

Prizes:

There are prizes for first, second and third place in every age group. First place gets free entry into the following year’s race. And, every first place age winner gets a free bottle of wine from Jackson Stables.

Koger said the winners are able to taste the bottle of wine for free before they choose which one is their favorite.

You can see our full interview with Ivy Koger HERE.