Twisted Crawdad Trail Run set for Saturday morning

Chadron Community Recreation is hosting the second annual Twisted Crawdad Trails Race this weekend with check in at “the Cliffs.”

The races will take place on double and single-track trails in the Nebraska National Forest, east of Chadron. Chadron State College is a major sponsor for the race this year.

The event includes a 5k, 10k, and half-marathon on Saturday with start times ranging from 7:15 a.m.-8:45 a.m., and a mountain bike race Sunday morning.

Registration fee for the 5k is $35, the 10k is $40, and the half-marathon is $60.

Parking for the participants will be marked in designated areas. There will be overflow parking available and shuttle rides back to the extra parking area. The course will be marked with color-coded arrows depending on the race length.

The 20-mile mountain bike race will start at 9 a.m., Sunday. Registration fee and other race information will be posted on the Chadron Community Recreation’s website.

Last year the event brought people from four different states. This race is now a part of the Zanfel Great Plains Trail Series and will be a part of the Wilderness Celebration Act.

To help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Celebration Act, the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands, Pine Ridge District has decided to sponsor the 5k run.

Donna Ritzen, race coordinator, hopes to see an increase in participants this year.

 The half-marathon has shown an increase already.

“As of right now, we have seen more entries than last year in the half-marathon. The numbers for the 5k and 10k are down, but there is still time for participants to sign up” Ritzen said.

According to Ritzen, Chadron Community Recreation was planning on hosting a 50-mile race.

The 50-mile race did not receive enough entries to continue. It has thus been cancelled.

For any more information, including registration, participants are asked to contact Ritzen or Chadron Community Center.

Other sponsors include Chadron Community Hospital and Health Services, Hi Tech Car Care and the First National Bank of Chadron State College.