Running wild: New London woman takes first in five-mile trail race

New London?s Jen Loyd took home a hand-crafted birdhouse as a prize for winning the women?s side of the five-mile Running Wild trail race.

The race was at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, near Wapello, on Aug. 27.

Racers could choose between three- and five-mile courses. Each course wound through the wetlands, which are filled with with great egrets, herons, ducks, deer, turkeys and other wildlife, as well as summer grasses and wildflowers.

In addition to the longer races, children as young as three took part in the Farm Bureau Kids? Fun Run.

Loyd crossed the finish line with a time of 41:40, and the men?s five-mile race winner, Matt Neukirch of Iowa City, finished in 32:13. Todd Morehead of Burlington completed the three-mile course in 23:03 to win for the men, and Carolyn Morris, also of Burlington, was the top women?s finisher at 23:52.

Proceeds from Running Wild go to support conservation efforts in and around Louisa County through Tri-Rivers Conservation Foundation.

For more information about programs and natural areas in Louisa County, visit www.NaturallyLouisaCounty.com or call 319-523-8381.