Rains clear in time for Abbey Trails 2023

The annual Abbey Trails 5K Run / 2-Mile walk brought guests from near and far to Conception Abbey on Saturday, May 6 to celebrate health and wellness.

Morning rain cleared just as more than 250 people arrived to participate in the walk, run, health fair, and brunch.

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.

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.

“What started out as a very rainy morning turned out to be a lovely day for a successful event,” said Kim Stiens, event coordinator. “Conception Abbey celebrates 150 years of Benedictine tradition this year. This event has been important to us for nearly three decades, and it was nice to be able to celebrate with long-time friends and welcome new faces to campus.”

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

Anthony Davidson of Maryville, Missouri, was the overall winner in the men’s category, finishing the 5-kilometer course in 20:11.34.

Liz Eblen of Roeland Park, Kansas, was the overall winner in the women’s category, completing her run in 24:05.72.

The age-group first-place winners in the men’s 5K run were: Jamen Coston (0-13); Caleb Stoner (14-19); Trevor Fisher (20-29); Matt Tritten (30-39); Mark Carlson (40-49); Steven Salazar (50-59); Dave Carlson (60-69); Larry Davison (70+).

The age group first-place winners in the women’s 5K run were: Anya Darnell (0-13); Mackenzie Hanig (14-19); Michelle Henry (20-29); Camille Siegrist (30-39); Kim Grimm (40-49); Kristi McEnaney (50-59); Debbie Steinbrenner (60-69); Barbara Eddins (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: Barrett Gray (0-13); Kaleb New (14-19); Alex Holtman (20-29); Bradley Rankin (30-39); Travis Reed (40-49); Rob Todd (50-59); Kevin Rankin (60-69); Stephen Seufert (70+).

The age group first-place winners in the women’s two-mile walk were: Riley Gray (0-13); Aubrey Mattson (14-19); Kelly Schieber (20-29); Karissa Holtman (30-39); Sheila Kizer (40-49); Terri Lager (50-59); Jane Walter (60-69); Janet Daniels (70+).

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

In the Corporate Challenge, Nucor took the Corporate Challenge traveling trophy for the fastest average time in the 5K run, Mosaic won the trophy for most overall participants, and Nodaway Valley Bank 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 4, 2024. Watch for details on Conception Abbey’s website, www.conceptionabbey.org/abbeytrails.