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Race to follow trail from Orangeville to Belleville
badger trail race
Kirstin Napora with her family at her son’s first 5K race in the spring of 2019. From left to right: Jim Moore, Kirstin Napora, Xander Napora, Lisa Moore and Tim Moore.

BELLVILLE — The Badger Trail Race directors Adam Benkers and Scott Kummer have two sets of constituents to please on race day: the local residents and the runners from 40 states and Canada who will descend Saturday on Green County for the first annual Badger Trail Race, which includes 100 Mile to Half-Marathon distances. 

Spanning from Orangeville to Belleville along the Badger State and Jane Addams trails, the Badger Trail Race is a running event, featuring 100 miles, 100 kilometers, 50 miles, 50 kilometers, marathon and half-marathon distances. Over 500 runners have registered and are expected to toe one of the six starting lines beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday at Richland Creek Trailhead in Orangeville, with all other race distances starting at Belleville Community Park. 

Among runners representing Green County, Kristin Moore Napora of Belleville is looking forward to continuing her one race a month streak at the Badger Trail Race with her first half-marathon race. For Napora, it’s a family affair — her parents Jim and Lisa Moore of Crystal Lake, Illinois, will also be running the half-marathon with her this weekend. “This is nice for Belleville,” Napora said. “I’ve not gotten to do a run in my town before, so running on my home turf is going to be fun.” 

With input from the local communities, businesses and police departments, Benkers and Kummer aimed to develop a race course that they are excited to share with runners from all over the country, who for many, will be their first trip to the Green County trails. 

“One of the things we love the most about putting on this race,” Kummer said. “is working with the local communities and the positive impact the race can have on them.” 

This year’s local sponsors include Francois Ford of Belleville, Greenwoods State Bank of Monticello, Woodford State Bank of Monroe and Colony Brands, Inc of Monroe. 

Winners will receive prize packages from nationally recognized athletic apparel companies, including Arc’teryx Chicago, Path Projects and rabbit. 

For more information, visit: www.tenjunkmilesracing.com