4th Annual Ancient Trail Trek to benefit Keystone Ancient Forest Visitors Center

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department and TATUR (Tulsa Area Trails and Ultra Runners) invite runners of all ages to the magnificent Keystone Ancient Forest for the 4th Annual Ancient Trail Trek! This year's event is Saturday, February 9, 2019 with gates opening at 7:00 a.m. and the first race at 8:00 a.m.

Event registration and information can be found at the City’s website at www.sandspringsok.org. Use the Explore/ Keystone Ancient Forest/ Ancient Trail Trek drop down menus to access the registration site. Registration is online only, and runners must register before the midnight deadline on February 7, 2019.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the beautiful 1,400-acre crosstimbers nature preserve, including the planned visitor center, which is currently in design.

This year's Ancient Fun Run offers a 5K, 10K and even an 8-mile run for both adults and children. The varied courses will meander over grassy trail portions, bare soil and rock. Routes will challenge runners with some downhill glides and moderate uphill challenges! Runners can glimpse wintertime views of Keystone Lake below, and might even spot area wildlife along the course!

"We’ve partnered with the TATUR group again and so we’ll have the standard electronic timing devices for accuracy and convenience for runners,” stated Jeff Edwards, Parks Director for the City of Sand Springs. "We’ve got several great courses this year and feel we have one of the best trail running venues in Oklahoma."

The race fee (including registration) is $28.00 per runner without an event T-shirt, or $40.50 per runner with an event T-shirt. Gates will open at 7:00 a.m. on the day of the race, with the first race beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Park staff and members of the Keystone Ancient Forest Trail Guide (volunteer) group will be on site to help with water and hospitality after the race. Parking is on gravel and grassy areas with porta potty service. No pets allowed.

With proceeds from this year’s race, again going towards the Keystone Ancient Forest- this year’s event can help with the planned visitor center also! The concept for the forest’s new state of the art facility will be unveiled just weeks before the race event!