Mammoth Run Provides 5k Adventure
Runners take off on the 2nd Annual Mammoth Run on Sunday.
New Sharon, Iowa – Iowans are hooked on 5k’s and the challenge they provide. Each person competing against their own personal bests, while also being challenged by others.
The second annual Mammoth Run adds to that challenge by having participants not only take on themselves and others, but also Mother Nature. Extreme hills, water and bushes are just some of those obstacles participants had to overcome.
Mary Jane Sullivan is with Friends of Mahaska County Conservation, the group that holds the annual 5k.
Sullivan said that because of construction at the new environmental learning center, the second annual run had to be held at Russell Wildlife versus Caldwell Park on the east side of Oskaloosa.
Sullivan sees the 5k moving back to Caldwell Park and the new environmental learning center next year, as it’s expected the construction will be done by July 1st.
Capitalizing on the popularity of the mammoth discoveries in Mahaska County, Sullivan said that the 5k and its rugged route “is a unique thing to Mahaska County.”
“It’s turned out to be a really nice event,” added Sullivan.
The money raised from the 5k goes to purchasing displays for the new environmental learning center, and eventually environmental programs at the center.
Sullivan said construction is moving along, that the dirt work for the project is nearly finished, and the base for the new building is being installed. The hope is to have the building enclosed before winter. “It’s moving right along.”
