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THE RUGGED RED

Is a one of a kind course seated in the Red River Gorge. It is very challenging and technical consisting of roots, rocks, creek crossings, steep inclines and declines, stair steps, and uneven trail. Racers should all have trail running experience before the day of race. Accept the Challenge and come Run The Rugged RED!

RUGGED RED TRAIL HALF MARATHON

Kentucky’s Trail Half-Marathon deep in the heart of the world-famous Red River Gorge!

NADA TUNNEL 8K FOOT RACE

The Nada Tunnel 8K is an 8K walk/run family event on the road that runs through a single lane 900 foot tunnel.

OUR GALLERY

This is your race director, Joe, getting things ready for next weekend! Lol. There are so many moving parts to this incredible machine called the Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon! If you're not in yet, you still have a couple of days until registration closes at runsignup.com. The medals are here and t-shirts are ordered. Carry water with you. There will be water stops about every 3 miles, but you can't find a water fountain in these mountains.So come prepared.Weather is looking good next weekend for a Run through the Gorge. We can't wait! See you soon!!
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“I loved Rugged Red, the volunteers, were great, Loved the race course and its challenges. The only suggestion I have is maybe have a few basic first aid supplies at the aid stations. As technical as that course is, just having some basic first aid at the checkpoints for falls, or mile 6 hornet stings lol, would be awesome. Really though this race lived up to all the hype, it was truly a great experience!”

Corine LeMaster Pitts

“Fantastic trail race! I especially liked the variable terrain (creeks, dirt, mud, sand, stone, rocks, and the suspension bridge!), single “loop” course (never repeating anything), the challenge of the elevation change, and the friendliness of the volunteers/participants. Awesome experience!”

Adam Hoefler

JOE BOWEN

JOE BOWEN | FOUNDER & RACE DIRECTOR

Our Host and Race Director

Joe Bowen is best described in two ways. One is where he lives. The second is what he’s done in his life.

Joe lives in his Bowen Farm Bed and Breakfast, on Bowen Road in the Red River Gorge’s Bowen, Kentucky. And Bowen Road is just down from the Bowen School which runs right by Bowen Church. Joe built Bowen Farm Homestead from repurposed materials i.e.; three 150 year old homes, two old grocery stores, & a civil war era church that were scheduled to be torn down. He also created a beautiful cabin in his 100 year old barn.

Joe has never settled for anything in his life. And at 74 years young, he’s just getting started. You won’t even believe his list of lifelong accomplishments:

  • Papa Joe has biked 14,000 miles across the entire United States for charity. Not once, but twice.

  • Joe owns the Guiness Book for World Record’s for the  longest stilt walk, 3008 miles, across America for the Muscular  Dystrophy Association

  • Joe is the published author of Real Winners Don’t Quit & Stiltwalk

  • Joe received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1986 along with John Denver, Jackie Onassis, Mahamad Ali,  Joe DiMaggio and President Donald Trump and others.

OUR WHY

The Appalachia region has been a victim of poverty for as long as anyone can remember. We are trying to help ourselves make a new vision, a new future, that maintains our environment and culture but brings us up to being more economically stable….Read the whole story in About.

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