The University of Florida School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences (FFGS) is hosting its annual Flatwoods 5K through the Austin Cary Forest on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The race will start at 8 a.m. at 10625 NE Waldo Rd. and run on a scenic, lime rock loop road in the 2,632-acre teaching and research forest northeast of Gainesville.
The forest serves as a space for FFGS faculty, staff, and students to put into practice the theories and principles of academic subjects such as silviculture, forest ecology and conservation, timber management, genetics and prescribed burning.
“You will not find a more scenic race than the Flatwoods 5K,” said Taylor Stein, FFGS Professor of Ecotourism and event organizer, in the press release. “The Austin Cary Forest is not open for general use, so this is the rare chance people get to experience one of the prettiest forests in the state.”
The unpaved course is measured and chip timed by Start2Finish Race Management but is not USATF certified. There will be markers at each mile, a water station at the halfway point and post-race refreshments. Strollers are welcome.
All participants will receive T-shirts and pinecone trophies made from native longleaf, loblolly and slash pinecones go to the top open and master runners, and the top three in all five-year age and gender groups. All runners 14 years or younger will receive an award.
“It’s a low-key, fun event in a beautiful setting,” said Scott Sager, a forester and FFGS assistant director of undergrad programs and facilities, in the press release. “You run past open pine forests and cypress domes, and around the deepest lake in Florida.”
Sager’s research efforts focus on exploring the benefits of nature-based recreation and tourism and how to best integrate the recreation use of conservation lands into natural resource decision-making and planning.
Proceeds from the race go to support forestry education and outreach to help sustain Florida’s natural heritage.
Anyone interested in participating can click here to register before Oct. 24. Adults run for $20 and anyone 12 and under races for free.
Early packet pickup will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, at Cypress and Grove Brewing Co. (1001 NW 4 St) in Gainesville. Participants can also pick up their packet from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. at the Austin Cary Forest on race day.
Questions can be directed to Stein, Flatwoods 5K race director, at tstein@ufl.edu.