Race Directors for the 13^th annual Wabash Trace Nature Trail Marathon, Half Marathon & Marathon Relay are recruiting volunteers and runners for the September 14^th races. This year runners will be guided by permanent mile marker signs on the trail. Southwest Iowa Nature Trail employees and volunteers are racing to install the signs before the 2024 race.

    Race directors submitted grants to help fund the new mile marker signs with a cost of $5,864. They received $2,000 from the Greater Shenandoah Foundation, $1,000 from a Fremont County Tourism grant, Southwest Iowa Nature Trails is providing $1,864 in signposts and Wabash Nature Trail Marathon race organizers Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association, Trace organization and Imogene Sons & Daughters are providing $1,000. The signs were made by Iowa Prison Industries. They will mark the marathon miles covered from Shenandoah to the turnaround point and back and the half marathon miles from Imogene to the finish in Shenandoah. Each sign will also show the number of miles to the next town. It also includes a QR code the links to the Wabash Trace Nature Trail website.

     “The signs are a real asset to the trail. These signs will guide not only runners in our race, but bicyclers and hikers can use the markers to gage how far they have traveled and how far to the next town,” said SCIA race director Shelly Warner. “It will also save lots of time and effort by our staff and volunteers who have for 13 years put out temporary signs and removed them each year.”

     Wabash Trace Nature Trail Marathon, Half & Relay is a fundraiser for Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association, Southwest Iowa Nature Trails, City of Imogene and Imogene Sons & Daughters. Sponsorships contributing with cash or in-kind donations this year are still being accepted. This year’s major sponsor at the $5,000 level is Green Plains Inc. Other sponsors are Pella Corp., Lloyd Inc., El Porton Mexican Restaurant, Shenandoah Family Dentistry, Depot Restaurant, Northwest Bank, Sorenson Auto Plaza, O’Hara Seed, First Heritage Bank, Subway, Wilson Insurance, KMA Radio, Mondo’s Restaurant, Shenandoah Community School, Earl May Garden Center, Shenandoah American Legion, St. Patrick Church, City of Shenandoah, City of Imogene, Wabash Trace Nature Trail, and Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association.

      Shenandoah businesses also have the opportunity to put flyers, promotional items, or coupons in the race packets. They must bring the items to the SCIA office prior to Sept. 11^th.

      Race directors Shelly Warner and Kris Sherman of SCIA and Rebecca Laughlin of SWINT are recruiting volunteers now for the September 14^th races. Many duties are needed like water station attendants, bicycle guides, photographers, road guards at in town intersections with three shifts available 7:15-7:45AM, 9AM-11:30AM, and 11:30AM -1:30PM. Pre-race needs are runner packet stuffing Sept. 11 SCIA office 619 W Sheridan Avenue 5PM and packet pickup Sept. 13, 4-7 PM also at the SCIA Office and on the morning of the race at the start line. Finish line attendants to pass medallions, drinks & assist the timer 8:30AM—1PM. Award presentation assistance at Depot tent 10:30AM-1PM and teardown/cleanup volunteers at 1:30PM are also needed. Contact SCIA at 712-246-3455 or email chamber@sciaiowa.com to sign up to help.

         First aid and emergency services on the trail are provided by Shenandoah Medical Center EMS. The Wabash Trace Trail races are electronically chip timed. The marathon is USATF certified and a Boston Marathon qualifier. Bus transportation provided by Shenandoah Community School runs from Shenandoah to the half marathon start in Imogene. The City of Shenandoah helps with course marking, showers at the Memorial Armory, and traffic control along with county law enforcement. T-shirts, medals, snacks, and beverages at the finish including free beer for runners and volunteers by the Depot Restaurant. Award presentation includes railroad spikes engraved by Pella Corp. as trophies and hundreds of dollars in SCIA gift certificates that benefit Chamber businesses. Race results and photos are available on race day at www.onlineraceresults.com.

     This year runners will receive the wooden log medallions with leather strap created by local vendor Memories for Life and the teal and mint green t-shirt runners selected on a Facebook survey.

     Register to run online at www.getmeregistered.com (search Wabash or Shenandoah) or print the registration form at www.sciaiowa.com. Mail or drop off forms to Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association, 619 W. Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah, IA 51601. Entry forms are also available at SCIA and the Depot Restaurant. Last day to register is September 11^th or at packet pickup on Sept. 13^th in person with the race timer.

     The marathon and relay start and finish in Shenandoah in front of the Historical Museum on Sheridan Avenue. Ninety percent of the race is run on the beautiful Wabash Trace Nature Trail, which is a mostly flat, tree-lined converted railroad line crossing through the scenic Iowa countryside with a crushed limestone surface. The trail provides a cool shaded long run on a cushioned path.

     Relay team divisions are co-ed, female, and male. September 14, 7:30 am is start time for the marathon and relay in downtown Shenandoah and an 8:00 am start for the half at Imogene’s St. Patrick Church. There is a 6 Hour time limit for this out and back course. The finish line closes at 1:30 p.m. Walkers are encouraged to sign up for the half marathon. Entry fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

     For more information contact SCIA at 712-246-3455 or visit the website at www.sciaiowa.com.

The tradition continues for Shenandoah Side Sidewalk Sales, July 18th, 19th, and 20th. For over 70 years Shenandoah downtown Sidewalk Sales have offered the best bargains of the summer. Shop the Sales Thursday-Saturday and enjoy Thirsty Thursday live music at the Depot and the Shendig BBQ contest Friday & Saturday. Great deals inside and out July 18th thru 20^th. It wouldn’t be Summer without Shenandoah Sidewalk Sales.