Parks Foundation of Hendricks County: Summer Fun Run & Walk Series

The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County is excited to host the Summer Fun Run & Walk Series. If you love our parks, enjoy being outdoors, and are up for an active summer challenge, you’ll want to sign up and join us for a summer filled with scenic park views, plenty of sweaty miles, and of course—swag! 

Your race entry of $35 for an individual and $100 for a family of four gives you access to safe and convenient racing at 12 Hendricks County Parks, an awesome t-shirt, and a great feeling of knowing you are supporting parks and trails in our community. The entry fee increases in May so make sure you sign up before the price increase!

Participating is easy, thanks to the virtual race time submissions and Racemaker Productions. Check out the schedule below and complete your run or walk during the designated dates listed for each park. Runners and walkers alike can enjoy the Summer Fun Run. And unlike most organized races, this event is dog and stroller-friendly.

The Summer Fun Run Series takes us to Ellis Park in Danville, Indiana.  The fun run route is a one mile loop begins and ends near the suspension bridge.  Start on the paved loop in a clockwise direction around the park.  On your trek you will pass the parks many amenities including ballfields and swimming pool.  As you reach the northeast corner of the park, proceed across the bridge. Here the Summer Fun Run route takes a brief out and back segment that showcases the football field, disc golf course, and amphitheater.  Once you return across the bridge, turn left to go behind the playground and complete the loop around the park to the finish.  Follow the red and blue SFR signs with directional arrows to guide you along the route in addition to the map on this page. 

Check out https://danvilleparks.recdesk.com/Community/Facility/Detail?facilityId=3 to learn more about the history of Ellis Park.  

Click here for an interactive course map.  https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2294897

Week Five of the Summer Fun Run Series takes us to Gary Eakin Park in Danville, Indiana.  The fun run route is a 3.052 mile out and back first travels on the path around the park.  Then there is a brief section of the route that runs along CR 50 N (There is a wide path to run on) and continues behind sports recreation fields and across a bridge into Ellis Park.  You will reach the turn around at the trail head and return to the start to complete the route.  Follow the red and blue SFR signs with directional arrows to guide you along the route in addition to the map on this page. 

To Learn More about Gary Eakin Park Click Here: https://danvilleparks.recdesk.com/Community/Facility/Detail?facilityId=31

To View the Interactive Course Map Click Here: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1125283

Workout of the Week: “Achin’ at Eakin Park”
 
Warm Up: 10–20-minute run/jog followed by Kinetic/Active Stretching Drills (20 Yards of Skipping, butt kicks, karaoke, high knees, strides)
 
“Achin’ at Eakin Park”
After the warmup try to end up around the base of the big hill on CR 50N. The mile 1, and mile 2 (after going out to the end of the route) are both near the base of the hill which is the start/end point of the workout. Be sure to pump those arms and drive those knees-hill running done right builds strength and can drastically improve form! More hills to come later in the summer series!

• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 30 LEVEL/flat ft past the top 
• Recovery jog to the base of the hill 
• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 30 LEVEL/flat ft past the top
• Recovery jog to the base of the hill 
• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 30 LEVEL/flat ft past the top
• Recovery jog to the base of the hill 
• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 30 LEVEL/flat ft past the top
• Recovery jog to the base of the hill 
• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 30 LEVEL/flat ft past the top
• Recovery jog to the base of the hill 

*1 set is 5 tough hill climbs. Feel free to do additional sets based on your fitness level. 

Cool Down & Static Stretching: 10-20 minute jog/walk that should be followed by good stretching!

Wednesday, June 1 from 5pm-8pm at Hummel Park in Plainfield

• Join us to kick off the Summer Fun Run/Walk Series presented by Hendricks Regional Health 
• Food trucks, splash pad, sponsors and more
• We hope to see you to start the 2022 series off with our first in-person event since 2019 
• Thank you to Banning Engineering for sponsoring the Summer Fun Run/Walk Kick-Off 

Wednesday, July 19 from 5pm-8pm at Washington Township Park in Avon 

• Join us to celebrate the Summer Fun Run/Walk Series presented by Hendricks Regional Health 
• T-Shirt and Swag pick up will take place at this event. 
• Thank you to Waste Management for sponsoring the Summer Fun Run/Walk Mid Series Celebration 

This week the Summer Fun Run Series takes us to Scamahorn Park in Pittsboro, Indiana. The start and finish is in Scamahorn Park on the path on the south end of the ballfields near the pavilion.  From the start, follow the path in a counter clockwise loop around the ballfields, east end of the soccer fields, and back to the west side of the baseball fields. It's a quick .76 mile route, but feel free to enjoy a few laps out there! 

To learn more about Scamahorn Park, click here: https://townofpittsboro.org/departments/parks-department/

Click this link or the map to view interactive link: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2636398

Workout of the Week:
Warm Up: 10–20-minute run/jog followed by Kinetic/Active Stretching Drills (20 Yards of Skipping, butt kicks, karaoke, high knees, strides). Warm up/cool down jog recommended going south on the trail behind the rec center.

“Scamahorn Showdown” Workout Description
This week we have the perfect route for high intensity repeats. The rectangular loop is just over .75 miles in length, and has an east or west square options offering a range of .35-.45 miles. Pick your choosen distance and shake it out! This high intensity workout will help increase metabolism, strengthen muscles, improve running speed, get you better oxygen efficiency when running, and of course improve your fitness!
·      1 loop 85-95% effort 
·      Turn around and lightly jog the opposite direction on the trail for 1-2 mins
·      1 loop 85-95% effort (turn around right where you stop your light jog and start/finish the hard effort loop from that spot)
·      Turn around and lightly jog the opposite direction on the trail for 1-2 mins
·      1 loop 85-95% effort (turn around right where you stop your light jog and start/finish the hard effort loop from that spot)
·      Turn around and lightly jog the opposite direction on the trail for 1-2 mins
·      1 loop 85-95% effort (turn around right where you stop your light jog and start/finish the hard effort loop from that spot)
·      Turn around and lightly jog the opposite direction on the trail for 1-2 mins
*This workout consists of 4 hard repeats with a total distance range from 1.4 miles to 3 miles based on loop selected. Feel free to add 2-4 hard effort repeats based on fitness & ability. 
 
Cool Down & Static Stretching:
·      10-20 minute jog/walk that should be followed by good stretching!

This week the Summer Fun Run and Walk Series will be taking place at the new beautiful Virgil Park! The 3.118-mile route is a simple out/back route on the B&O Trail going east to start, then coming back to the trailhead at Virgil Park. You will have a tunnel under Ronald Reagan Parkway, but participants will cross a street at N County Road 1000 E just a tad east of the Ronald Reagan Parkway tunnel. 

The parking at Virgil Park is tight so be on the lookout for communication from the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County on parking options.

Click Here to View the Interactive Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2636407

The Summer Fun Run Series takes us to W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park in Danville, Indiana.  The fun run route is a 2.06 mile route.  The start and finish is in W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park on the north side of the pond.  Look for the big red life preserver station to guide you to the parking lot closest to the start/finish.  From the start, go counter-clockwise around the pond on Turtle Crawl.  At the end of Turtle Crawl, turn right onto Monarch Way and continue to follow the remaining SFR route in a counter clockwise loop around the perimeter of the park on the park's pathways.  Follow the SFR signs with directional arrows to guide you along the route in addition to the maps on this page.

Click Here to View this weeks Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2343200

To learn more about W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, click here: https://hendrickscountyparks.org/our-parks/ws-gibbs-memorial-park/

Workout of the Week: “Big Gains @Gibbs Park!”
 
Warm Up: 10–20-minute run/jog followed by Kinetic/Active Stretching Drills (20 Yards of Skipping, butt kicks, karaoke, high knees, strides)
 
“Big Gains” @Gibbs Park

This park boasts another one of the staple sledding hills in Hendricks County, so of course it is time for another hill workout! After the warmup try to end up around the base of the sledding hill. You can choose to do these repeats on any section of the grass hill. Please note-never stop jogging up the hill or during recovery. Be sure to pump those arms and drive those knees-hill running done right builds strength and can drastically improve form!
·      

• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 25 LEVEL/flat ft past the top 
• Recovery walk/jog to the base of the hill
• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 25 LEVEL/flat ft past the top 
• Recovery walk/jog to the base of the hill
• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 25 LEVEL/flat ft past the top 
• Recovery walk/jog to the base of the hill
• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 25 LEVEL/flat ft past the top
• Recovery walk/jog to the base of the hill
• Run from the base of the hill to the top and then roughly 25 LEVEL/flat ft past the top 
• Recovery walk/jog to the base of the hill

*1 set is 5 tough hill climbs. Feel free to do additional sets based on your fitness level. 

Cool Down & Static Stretching:
·      10-20 minute jog/walk that should be followed by good stretching!

T-Shirt & Sticker Pick-Up Options:

Option 1: Kickoff Event at Hummel Park
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Location: Hummel Park
Pick up your SWAG and explore the first park in the series!

Option 2: Williams Park
Date: Wednesday, June 3
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Visit the second park in the series and grab your shirt there.

Option 3: Runners Forum
Location: 8100 E. US 36, Suite 6, Avon, IN 46123
Pick-Up Dates: June 5 - 11, 2026
*Visit their website to confirm hours they are open: www.runnersforum.com

Option 4: Shipping
If none of the above dates work, you may pay for shipping via Run Sign Up.
Shirts will be shipped the week of June 22.

Important Notes:
Your shirt will be donated if not picked up or shipping is not paid by June 10. The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County does not have an office for pick-up outside these options.

Thank you for being a champion for parks, trails, and community wellness in Hendricks County! By joining the Summer Fun Run & Walk Series, you’re not just hitting the trails—you’re helping enhance outdoor spaces that connect, inspire, and enrich our community.

You can get even more involved by creating a fundraising page for this series. We have created a custom toolkit to help you! You will also find a link to download graphics and logos to promote your fundraiser. 

Download the toolkit to get started!

Check out the schedule for the 2026 Summer Fun Run & Walk Series.

SERIES REGISTRATION FOR INDIVIDUAL: $35.00 Donation

• Weekly marked courses through the many beautiful parks in Hendricks County 
• Weekly E-Mail Updates
• Official Summer Fun Run T-Shirt 
• A limited edition 2026 Finisher’s Sticker
   

 SERIES REGISTRATION FOR FAMILY: $100.00 Donation

• Weekly marked courses through the many beautiful parks in Hendricks County 
• Weekly E-Mail Updates for up to 2 Email Addresses
• Up to 4 Official Summer Fun Run T-Shirts 
• A limited edition 2026 Finisher’s Sticker