Anyone who has been to the park since last years race has probably noticed that the swinging bridge has been closed. The bridge will be repaired or replaced this year but it does not look as if it will be completed by the time of the race. In addition the parking lot at the visitor center is being expanded and will probably be under construction at the time of the race. As those who have run the race know, you pass through that area twice during the race.
Because of these two construction issues we will be modifying the run route for this years race. We have a preliminary route, linked below, that is slightly shorter than the original route. Some exciting parts of the new route is that you will be running along side the parks Bison herd, past one of the live springs, and running across/through Big Bone Creek at one point. Due to the creek crossing we may change the alternate route again based on rain falls and water level of the creek on race day.
The map below shows the alternate route in red and the parts of the old route not being used marked in blue with X's through them. Also parts of the alternative route goes through a conservation easement that NKU has given us permission to use for the race only. Those areas are not, and will not be open in advance of the race for any trial runs. Please respect the work NKU has done in this area and do not try to explore where the trail may or may not be going on race day.
PROPOSED ALTERNATE RUN ROUTE