The Sheltowee Trace Association recently honored 17 people who hiked 307 miles of Kentucky’s longest trail in 2014.
Each year, the Sheltowee Trace Association leads a series of guided section hikes on the entire length of the Sheltowee Trace called the Hiker Challenge. Hikers are able to complete the Trace in 11 months by hiking one weekend a month.
Among those who completed the trek was Kaner “Rudy” Davis, 71, of Lexington, making him the oldest to complete the Hiker Challenge. Twenty-three participants completed the challenge in 2013 and 13 completed the Challenge’s first year in 2012. Thanks to the Hiker Challenge, more adventure-seekers have completed the Sheltowee Trace over the last three years than in the previous 32 years.
The Sheltowee Trace covers 269 miles in Kentucky, and the remainder is in Tennessee. The trace begins above Morehead, Kentucky, and travels in a southwest direction through the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, into the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and into Tennessee.
Also recognized at the Dec. 6 event in Livingston was the first runner to complete the trail. Matt Hoyes, of Bardstown, completed the entire trail in eight days. The association also honored at the event “Team Turtle” from this year’s Bourbon Chase, a 200-mile relay race. The turtle refers to the symbol of the Sheltowee Trace and the association. Sheltowee was the Shawnee Indian name given to Daniel Boone that translates to “Big Turtle.”
Hikers who completed the Sheltowee Trace Hiker Challenge in 2014:
Laura Stoehr, Cincinnati, Ohio
Jeff Darpel, Milford, Ohio
Nikki Van Frank, Cincinnati, Ohio
Kaner “Rudy” Davis, Lexington
James Davis, Lexington
Randall “Buck” Stewart, Somerset
Jamie Dougoud, Lexington
John Miller, Alexandria
Robert Trent, Georgetown
Mike Henson, Frankfort
Paul Wright, Berea
Lois Fishman, Jeffersonville, Indiana
Todd Fishman, Jeffersonville, Indiana
Mike Fawbush, London
Bill Radford, East Bernstadt
Al McLerran, Jamestown, Tennessee
Norma McLerran, Jamestown, Tennessee
The 2015 challenge will feature two teams of hikers. One will be a “drop and go” team that receives minimal assistance, while the other will be a fully supported team.
To register for the 2015 Hiker Challenge and to learn more about the Sheltowee Trace Association, visit the website at www.sheltoweetrace.org. Registration is open through Jan. 13, 2015.
Both Morehead and Livingston are certified Kentucky Trail Towns, which cater to hikers on the Sheltowee Trace, as well as a number of other users of local recreational attractions. There are another five communities currently working to become Kentucky Trail Towns that will also serve users on the Sheltowee Trace.
Visit the Office of Adventure Tourism’s website at www.getoutky.com.
