sport
Columbus Runners Skip Races, Focus on Summer Trail Events
Local runners stick to group sessions while preparing for listed trail events later this summer.
How we reported this
No race results from Columbus fields surfaced this week. Organizers and clubs reported only routine training activity across the city.
The absence of weekend competitions aligns with the gap between spring and fall schedules maintained by local groups. Runners instead used established weekly sessions to log miles on local trails and roads.
Weekly Sessions at Fleet Feet and Standing Boy
Fleet Feet Columbus continues its Sunset Group Run every Wednesday at 6:00pm at Big Dog Fleet Feet. A separate Sunday trail run or hike takes place at Standing Boy State Park. These sessions draw participants seeking consistent training without entry fees or timing.
Big Dog Running and the Columbus Road Runners Club also host recurring outings. Past 2025 events such as the Big Dog Heatwave 5 Miler on July 19 and the Country's Midnight Express 5K on August 23 showed the pattern of short-distance races the groups favor during warmer months.
Trail Events on the Calendar
The 2026 Southern Fried 50/50 trail run remains set for Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Columbus, Georgia. The event marks its ninth year and lists 50K, 25K, 15K, 10K, and 5K distances on scenic trails. Fleet Feet listings confirm the date and options.
The Standing Boy Trail Festival separately lists a 50K, 10 miler, 5 miler, and Canicross 5 miler for the 2025-2026 period. Columbus Road Runners events from 2025, including the Lakebottom Park 5k & 1 Mile on August 2 and the Riverwalk 10K on September 13, illustrate the same trail and road mix that continues into the current season.
Participants can locate current session times through the clubs' regular postings. No additional entry deadlines or course changes have been announced for the listed dates.