Get Out and Get Active this Spring!

Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather-Prophet Extraordinary did NOT see his shadow back on February 2, and we are thinking his prediction of an early spring was right! Green stalks of flowers are starting to emerge from their winter slumber, we are beginning to experience some warmer days, and the sun is touching our skin for the first time in what feels like years. With spring on its way, we feel ourselves getting eager for warm days outside!

With warm weather comes awesome opportunities to socialize, stretch your legs, and show off your speed at our local parks, hosted 5Ks, and even the hub of downtown Madisonville!

Explore our parks

With many miles of paved and dirt paths and trails around the county, there’s a piece of nature for everyone to explore. Unfortunately, finding your footing can be tough – that’s where guided hikes come in!

The amazing folks at Mahr Park Arboretum have arranged guided hikes just about every month of the year. The hikes are fairly short, lasting roughly 2 hours each, and are rounded out with a fun activity and treat in or near the Welcome Center! The hikes are fun for the whole family. Mahr Park Arboretum’s Spring Hiking Series kicks off this month with their Discover Spring Hike and continues through early June!

If you’re looking for a longer guided hike, check out Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park’s First Saturday of the Month Hiking Series! Enjoy native wildflowers blooming during the upcoming spring hikes and take a break from the heat during evening summer hikes. Hikes range from half a mile to 3 miles – follow the park on Facebook to keep up with all the action!

Challenge yourself with 5Ks and Fun Runs

Love running and have a competitive spirit? Hopkins County is the place for you in 2020! With several 5Ks, fun runs, and walks through the year, there’s enough to keep your running shoes busy. There are five 5km races that we are extra excited about this year – and the first one is just a few weeks away on March 28! Running season kicks off with the Book It! 5K, which aims to promote literacy in Hopkins County and beyond. While there are first place awards given out, everyone who participates walks away with a prize: a book!

May brings two more chances to test your speed – this time two weekends in a row! First up is the Band on the Run 5K on May 2 at Madisonville North Hopkins High School, followed by the Run for Wellness 5K on May 9 that starts at Fitness Formula. Why not attend both and try and beat your speed from one weekend to the other?

Have you ever wanted to run a 5K and then chow down on all sorts of BBQ? The BBQ 5K kicks off Dawson Springs’ annual BBQ Festival, guarantees the coolest pig-themed shirts you’ll ever see, and accumulates with prizes passed out at the Pig Awards. You won’t even feel a bit of guilt when you devour your 4th BBQ plate of the day.

The final big 5K of 2020 is a run that has become a beloved Madisonville tradition: the 9/11 Heroes Run. This nighttime run honors the fallen heroes of the September 11th terrorist attack and the war that followed, including local hero Patrick Rudd. This year’s run kicks off at 8pm on September 12th.

Learn about the area with Walk Madisonville! tours

Looking to spend some time outside with an educational spin? Check out the Walk Madisonville! self-guided walking tours by the Woman’s Club of Madisonville. The three tours highlight the history, art, and patriotic sides of Madisonville and are a great way to soak in the city while getting your steps in. Stop by our office at 28 Sugg Street to grab a copy of the tours or download a copy and get going.

How will you get out and get active this spring? Show us your adventures by sharing them with #readyaimfun on social media!