Trail running will debut at the sixth annual Ford Hoosier Outdoor Experience, Sept. 20-21.

The activity is one of about 50 to be offered free to all participants at Indianapolis' Fort Harrison State Park that weekend.

Indiana Trail Running will lead the new activity. The organization plans to offer two or three guided half-mile trail runs each day at scheduled times to be announced later. Indiana Trail Running's booth will feature other hands-on activities such as stretching for trail runners and will distribute informational handouts about the growing sport.

Activities scheduled for the Ford Hoosier Outdoor Experience include almost every outdoorsy pursuit, from archery and target shooting to mountain biking, fishing, paddling, and much more. Participants can bring their own food or purchase food at reasonable prices from on-site vendors.

An estimated 32,000 men, women or children participated in last year's Ford Hoosier Outdoor Experience. There's plenty of room for more participants in the state park's spacious 1,700 acres.

The Ford Hoosier Outdoor Experience runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The event is presented by the DNR and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. The goal is to introduce people to outdoor activities they may have never tried.

Online advance registration at hoosieroutdoorexperience.IN.gov is requested to assist the presenters and activity providers with staffing and planning. Watch for event updates there or at www.Facebook.com/HoosierOutdoorExperience.

If you already enjoy outdoor recreation and want to help others learn to enjoy it, sign up to volunteer at www.hoosieroutdoorexperience.IN.gov. For questions about volunteering, contact volunteer coordinator Cheryl Hampton, (317) 233-1002, champton@dnr.IN.gov.

Fort Harrison State Park (www.stateparks.IN.gov/2982.htm) is at 5753 Glenn Road, Indianapolis, 46216.


Media contact: Marty Benson, DNR assistant director of communications, (317) 233-3853, mbenson@dnr.IN.gov.