Honest Abe Trail Run Set for Sept. 20th Registration Open for Marathon, 14K, and 5K Courses

The Friends of Lincoln State Park and Indiana Department of Natural Resources will co-host the Honest Abe Trail Run on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 7:30 AM CDT at Lincoln State Park. This annual trail run consist of three course options: a full marathon course, a 14K course, and a 5K course. The marathon and 14K courses are the same with the marathon consisting of three loops and the 14K one loop. The 5k course will slightly overlap, but follow a different route on trails and paved & gravel roads. The trail course consists primarily of double-track trails with a little bit of gravel and a few road crossings along the way. 

LOCATION 
The event will take place in Lincoln State Park, located off of Hwy. 162 in Lincoln City (Spencer County), Indiana. Check in and race starts will be at the Lincoln Amphitheatre parking lot and registrants are encouraged to follow the signs when they enter the park. 

REGISTRATION 
Registration is online at the event website at honestabetrailrun.com. There is no registration cap; however, in an attempt to keep the process simple, event organizers and park officials prefer and strongly encourage online pre-registration. Online registration will not close until less than 24-hrs before the event start! Early registration ends Friday, September 18th, 2026 @ 12:00 Noon CDT - there will be a price increase after that time. Online registration closes Saturday, September 19th, 2026 @ Noon CDT. 

ENTRY FEES 
Entry fees for the various courses are: Marathon = $45 early / $55 late / $65 race day 14k = $35 early / $45 late / $55 race day 5k = $20 early / $30 late / $40 race day 

There will be a processing fee for RunSignUp.com when registering. The state park per vehicle entrance fee will be in effect for this event and is not included in the registration fee, though holders of DNR Annual Entrance Permits can enter the park for free as usual. 

“The Friends of Lincoln State Park too over responsibility for the Honest Abe Trail Run several years ago and we are happy to be keeping this event going, ” said Dan Wilkinson, president of the Friends of Lincoln State Park. “The trail run has attracted runners from around the tri-state and across the United State over the years and we are excited to once again host runners of all skill levels for a trail run through the woods where Abraham Lincoln grew up, ” Wilkinson said. 
 
AWARDS 
Awards will be given to the top two male and female finishers in each of the three races. Finisher mementos for those completing the MARATHON will be provided; nothing special, just something small and environmentally friendly to remember the event by. 
 
For more information regarding the trail run, call the Lincoln State Park office at (812) 937- 4710 or visit our contact page found at lspfriends.com. Lincoln State Park is located 5 miles west of Santa Claus, Indiana on State Road 162 in Lincoln City across the highway from Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. 
 
ABOUT FRIENDS OF LINCOLN STATE PARK 
Formed in June 2004, the Friends of Lincoln State Park is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide volunteer and financial support for events and projects within Lincoln State Park which includes Col. William Jones Home. The organization has invested well over $100,000 toward projects and activities at Lincoln State Park since its inception. Membership in the Friends of Lincoln State Park starts at $25 with varying levels of membership. Membership is open to everyone and all are invited to attend monthly meetings held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM CT in the Nature Center. More information about Lincoln State Park and the Friends of Lincoln State Park can be found on our website where visitors can get information about membership, activities and events, membership information, sign up to receive a monthly newsletter, and learn about the history contained within the park.