Despite the threat of unfavorable weather conditions, the Wolf Creek Trail Run continued in its 10th year of operation on Saturday morning. The race, which included a half marathon, a 6K run and a 1.7-mile walk, returned to a more traditional route this year after implementing something different in 2022.
Steve Halter, Poplar Bluff Kiwanis member and race coordinator, said the race has attracted runners from all over the state — and even neighboring states as well — throughout its years of operation.
“We have people from all over the state and we have people from Illinois, people from Arkansas, people from all over the region that come to this race,” Halter said. “I think it’s probably the largest race in the region and one of the longest-running as well. It’s definitely the longest-running.”
Halter said the race raised $3,000 this year towards an all-inclusive playground at the Kiwanis Bacon Memorial Park in Poplar Bluff.
“Yeah, I’d say over the 10 ten years, it is safe to say we raised about $25,000,” Halter said during an interview on Saturday morning.
According to organizers, part of the appeal of the annual half marathon is the setting. The trail run stretches across a 12-mile loop of the Mark Twain National Forest.
“We are just encouraging people to come out and enjoy the trail because it’s such a great asset for our community to have a 21-mile trail system that you can bike and hike and run and walk,” Halter said. “It is in great condition and is marked very well.”
Returning champion Dan Mustaine agreed with that sentiment and even complimented the park maintenance crews who prepare the trail every year ahead of the half marathon competition.
While Mustaine placed third this year with a time of 1 hour, 36 minutes and 36 seconds, he said that he still felt confident in his time.
“I am training for a race called the Barkley Fall Classic,” Mustaine said. “This is my third time running it and these trials are like some of the best trails around here.”
Timothy Rollings of Arkansas took first in the men’s division with a time of 1:30:35, and proceeded to break the record time of all competitors within the history of the half marathon.
Lori Miller took first in the women’s division with a time of 2:09:05 and contributed her success to a personal health commitment and her parents’ encouragement from an early age.
“I just got back into running two years ago but my dad; he (father) got me into running at a young age. They encouraged a lot of physical activity. and I ran some 5k’s and stuff when I was younger,” Miller said.
She also felt motivated to run the race because of a strong focus on her health and well-being.
“Well, I have had some miscarriages and a stillborn three years ago,” she said. “And I think I just wanted to get my health back after all that trauma.”
Miller said she was thankful for God giving her a healthy body and was thankful to her father for showing up and cheering her on during the race.