Instead of pounding the pavement, the Greater Omaha Trail-Runners (GOATz) are pounding the dirt at Tranquility Park.
It’s a weekly tradition to hit the trails for members of GOATz, but many of them are also training for another purpose, Omaha's first ultra marathon.
The group is putting on a 31-mile run at Lake Cunningham on October 28th.
Scott Giddings helps run GOATz which promotes trail running in and around Omaha.
“We didn't think we'd have that must interest in the 50k to be honest, so we set a cap for 50 people,” says Giddings. “We surpassed that two weeks ago.”
But the trail run isn’t just for professional runners. There's also five, ten, and 20 mile runs too.
Richelle Hall, a GOATz member, has run trails for the past five years and runs 20 miles a week.
“We got going in the group and it’s an addiction. You can't help to run all the time.”
She says trail running is much more comfortable and fun than traditional running.
“You always have something to focus on. You have the scenery, you have a great group of people, you've got tree roots to look for, you've got the lake to look at,” says Hall.
It’s $50 to participate in the 50K race and there is a waiting list.
The website to learn more information about GOATz and the trail runs is at the bottom of the story.
