The fourteenth annual Forest Lake Area Trail System (FLATS) annual half-marathon is coming up on October 5, 2024. The 13.1 mile course features gorgeous views, trekking from the Thousand Hills State Park Marina along the shores of Forest Lake. The course finishes at beautiful Jackson Stables, the site for a post-race celebration. The race is a fundraiser for the Forest Lake Area Trail System. With the help of volunteers, FLATS is responsible for much of the maintenance of the trails in Thousand Hills State Park, preventing overgrowth and keeping them clear for public use.
Established in 2016, FLATS is a non-profit organization with the mission of developing a multi-use trail between the city of Kirksville and Thousand Hills. Formed by a volunteer group of citizens, FLATS is working closely with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Thousand Hills State Park, The National Park Service, the City of Kirksville, Adair County, area service organizations and the Kirksville community to develop plans for this trail. The long-term goal is to show the community that Thousand Hills is closer than you think.
Beyond raising funds to continue trail projects, the FLATS half-marathon serves as an opportunity to have fun outdoors, learn about yourself and get physical activity. Trails also have an important role in a community by drawing people into the community from out of town.
The FLATS half-marathon is a fantastic opportunity for alumni to return to Kirksville and join the community for a good cause. You can still sign up for the race and find more information about it at http://www.kvflats.org/events/