Another Sunny Day for Abbey Trails 2026

Abbey Trails welcomes record-breaking crowd 

The annual Abbey Trails 5K Run / 2-Mile walk brought a record number of runners and walkers from near and far to Conception Abbey on Saturday, May 2, to celebrate health and wellness.

Nearly 350 participants, vendors, and guests joined together for the walk, run, health fair, and brunch. Twenty more virtual participants joined from home.

“Our Abbey Trails event is a tradition of more than 30 years, and though we experienced a bit of a participation dip after the pandemic, we have been steadily growing since,” said Kim Stiens, event coordinator. “This is the most participants we’ve ever had, and it is such a joy to bring all of these friends of the Abbey together for this event.”

Many athletes are local, while others travel a few hours to attend. Many are loyal “regulars,” while others enthusiastically take on the event for the first time. Virtual participation began as an option in 2021 and has remained strong—especially among groups who walk together in their own neighborhoods in support of Conception’s ministry.

The 5K course began at the Abbey’s circle drive entrance and went north on 136 to just north of Jefferson C-123 school, and back. The two-mile walk course included four laps around the Conception Abbey campus.

Health and Community

We are physical, intellectual, and spiritual beings, and Conception Abbey acknowledges exercise as an important factor in maintaining a balanced and healthy life. Abbey Trails allows the monks and seminarians of Conception Abbey and Conception Seminary College to promote their values of health and wellness with the event’s participants.

“Abbey Trails is a great opportunity to share the importance of overall health in our lives,” said Rt. Rev. Benedict Neenan, OSB, abbot of Conception Abbey. “The monks support one another’s well-being together as a community, and this event allows us to reflect that with our guests. God calls us each to take care of our own bodies and to support one another as the Body of Christ.”

The proceeds from Abbey Trails are used to promote healthy lifestyles among the monks and seminarians of Conception Abbey and Conception Seminary College and in the surrounding communities.

Event Results

Lane Zembles, 23, was the overall winner in the men’s category, finishing the 5-kilometer course in 17:54:48. Gracie Flaspohler, 10, was the overall winner in the women’s category, completing her run in 22:37:80.
 
The age-group first-place winners in the men’s 5K run were: Isaac Jensen (0-13); David Ruvalcaba (14-19); Br. John Fisher (20-29); Craig Corzatt (30-39); Fr. Paul Sheller (40-49); Marc Gordon (50-59); Richard Swing (60-69); Larry Davison (70+).
 
The age group first-place winners in the women’s 5K run were: Therese Hosler (0-13); Ava Ventimiglia (14-19); Victoria Stumbaugh (20-29); Jacqueline Schulte (30-39); Katherine Stockard (40-49); Jackie Burns (50-59); Shelly Hoog (60-69); Catherine Foster (70+).
 
In the two-mile walk, participants estimated their completion time before the event, and winners were determined by accuracy.

The age group first-place winners in the men’s two-mile walk were: Barrette Gray (0-13); Caleb New (14-19); Br. Francis Todd (20-29); David Hershburger (30-39); Travis Reed (40-49); Bryon Haley (50-59); Steven Klassen (60-69); Tom Schieber (70+).
 
The age group first-place winners in the women’s two-mile walk were: Riley Gray (0-13); Brylie Angle (14-19; Kristin Merrigan (20-29); Natasha Steinman (30-39); Rachel Angle  (40-49); Sharon Luke (50-59); Victoria Spire (60-69); Sr. Joan Ridley (70+).

See a full listing of results here.
Find event photos on our Facebook page.

In the Corporate Challenge, Mosaic Medical Center took the Corporate Challenge traveling trophy for the fastest average time in the 5K run, Christifideles Legacy Planning won the trophy for most overall participants, and Maryville Rehabilitation and Health Care Center won the trophy for closest average time to estimated time in the 2-mile walk.

Next year’s Abbey Trails event is scheduled for Saturday, May 1, 2027. Watch for details on Conception Abbey’s website, www.conceptionabbey.org/abbeytrails.

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