ABC Run/Walk #104 is January 10

by Merlin Anderson (abcrunner@frontier.com)

ABC Run/Walk/XC Ski/Snowshoe #104 (aka Winter Wonderland Run) to benefit the Sugar Grove Nature Center will be:

9:00 a.m., Saturday, January 10, at the Sugar Grove Nature Center (doors open at 8:30).

Come celebrate the 10^th anniversary of ABC Runs (the first ABC run was held in January 2005).

Find out who will receive the coveted “ABC Top Dog” Award this year and see Pat Sheridan relinquish the monster traveling trophy he has held for the last year.

This event is free, with the opportunity for a free-will donation to The Sugar Grove Nature Center. Donations will go towards materials for new children's benches and an observation honey beehive exhibit for the Nature Center that Roger Aukerman, faithful ABC run participant and carpenter extraordinaire, is working on as well as books for our children's nature library."

Donations of any amount are welcome.  If you contribute $25 or more and sign a membership form, you will receive a membership to Sugar Grove Nature Center.  

Come out to enjoy a winter wonderland by running, walking, cross-country skiing, or snow-shoeing.  The doors to the nature center will open at 8:30. 
Angela Funk, the director of the nature center, will make sure we have a variety of beverages and treats to enjoy.  Meg will, of course bring her signature coffee cake.  Bring something to share if you wish.

The main running course is a 7 mile loop course on roads.  You can turn this into a shorter course by turning around at any point.  I hope to lead some adventurers on a trail run (conditions permitting).

Hope to see you there!   

Directions from Bloomington, IL to the Sugar Grove Nature Center (4532 N. 725 East Road):
Take I-55 South (toward St. Louis).
Take the Shirley exit (the first exit) #154.
Turn right at the top of the off-ramp, on County Road 34.
Turn left at the T-intersection onto Old Route 66.
Proceed approximately 4.5 miles to Funks Grove Road.  Turn right.
Proceed over railroad tracks, and take the first left.
At this point, there will be signs for Sugar Grove Nature Center.  Follow this road.
At the Dead End sign, continue straight.
The road will open up to prairie and you will see the nature center buildings on your right.
When you come to the gravel lane, turn right, and proceed to the parking lot.

ABC #105, for Scott Early Learning Center, will be on Sunday, February 1 (not the tentative Feb. 8 as listed in the LRC social calendar)