Field Station Frenzy Trail Run & Walk 5K

Why Join in the Frenzy?

• Fun, scenic trail run/walk inside the gorgeous Indiana Dunes National Park
• Well-marked, carefully measured course, with professional chip timing
• Long-sleeve tech shirts, finisher medals, and one-of-a-kind awards
• Costumes and crazy outfits encouraged!
• Free on-site childcare provided for all participants (potty-trained thru through elementary school age)
• Part of the Calumet Region Striders' Gold Cup Elite Series
• Support nature-based early childhood education

Schedule of Events (times subject to change)

• All Registration is Online ONLY, NO paper forms, NO payment accepted on-site
• Please check our website: Field Station Frenzy for updates to any information.
• We will have early packet pick up available on Friday(10/2) and Saturday(10/3) at Extra Mile Fitness Company!
  Extra Mile is located at 3400 Calumet Avenue, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
• Sunday, October 4th
  
  • 7:30 am - On-site Packet/Shirt Pickup Opens
    
  • 8:15 am - Free On-site Outdoor Child Care Opens (Dress for the weather!)
  • 8:15 am - 500 m Kids Tot Trot
  • 8:30 am - 1K Kids Fun Run
  • 9:00 am- 5K Trail Run & Walk
  • 10:00 am- On-site Awards Ceremony
  • 10:30 am - On-site Childcare Closes

Awards

• Medals provided for all 5K finishers
• Race number and finisher ribbons for all Kiddie Run participants
• One-of-a-Kind wooden medals for overall and age group awards
• Eligible for points in the Calumet Striders' Gold Cup & Elite Series
• On-site outdoor awards ceremony at 10:00am
• Handmade plaques for overall winners:
  • Overall Male/Female
  • Overall Masters ( ≥ 40 yr) Male/Female
• Top 3 awards, with one-of-a-kind medals, in the following categories:
  
  • Age Group Male/Female: 0-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-80, 80+
  • Athena (Female ≥ 170 lb), Clydesdale (Male ≥ 210 lb)
  • Note: children under 9 may register to participate in the 5K alongside a registered parent/guardian racer and are eligible for the 0–8 age group awards

Registration & Fees

Note: Due to Park Service regulations, we cannot accept any payment on park property (No cash, No checks, ONLY online registration using your own device)

5 km (Run or Walk)

• Advanced Registration - $30 with long-sleeve tech shirt, $25 without a shirt (guaranteed shirt sizes if registered before Sept 20. After you can see what sizes are still available when registering).
• Late Registration (Race Day until 9am) - $35 with long-sleeve tech shirt, $30 without shirt, not all shirt sizes may be available.  You can see what sizes are still available when registering.
  
  

The 5K is open to all ages. Children under 9 are welcome to register to participate but must be accompanied on the course by registered parent or guardian racer.

Kiddie Fun Runs (1 km or 500 m)

• Advanced Registration- $15 with long-sleeve tech shirt (guaranteed shirt sizes if registered before Sept 20. After that, you can see what size are available when registering).
• Free no shirt option
  All participants get a custom race number and a finisher ribbon.
  All Fun Run participants must register online, but registration stays open until the start of the event.

These shorter, non-competitive races are perfect for younger runners. Children under age 9 may also choose to register to run the full 5K with a registered parent/guardian 5K participant.

Course

The course features the scenic trails of the Indiana Dunes National Park, including portions of the Little Calumet River Trail and passes by several historic landmarks. Grass, mulch, dirt trails, and boardwalk will make up the majority of the course. This is a trail run and you should expect uneven surfaces, slippery leaves, roots, rocks, fallen branches, and other obstacles.  No strollers or pets allowed.

Click Here for Interactive Course Map with Elevations

Directions and Parking

The run and walk will start and end near Chellberg Farm, inside the Indiana Dunes National Park.  GPS address for Chellberg Farm is 709 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304.  Please park in the grass lot to the east of Mineral Springs Rd.  The race will start and end near the paved parking lot (on the west side of Mineral Springs Rd).

About The Field Station Cooperative Preschool

The Field Station offers nature-based preschool programs for 3-6 year olds and summer camps for preschool-age children. For more information, please visit our website at: www.FieldStation.org.  The Field Station is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.