Zoom Town Covered Bridge 5K

The Zoom Town Covered Bridge 5K is a running/walking event held in Montezuma, Parke County, Indiana, featuring a course that goes through the historic Sim Smith and Phillips Covered Bridges. It offers medals for the top three male and female participants in the run/walk categories and awards given for the largest participating group. The event takes place on May 17, 2025, starting at Keystone (formerly Ceres Solutions) at 4338 West County Road 40 North Rockville, IN 47872. It is handicapped accessible.

Event Surroundings and Vibe

Montezuma is situated in Parke County, known as the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World," famed for its numerous historic covered bridges including Sim Smith and Phillips. These bridges provide a picturesque, nostalgic rural Indiana setting, rich in history and natural beauty, contributing a scenic and authentic vibe to the event[1][4][6][7].

Description of the Covered Bridges

• Sim Smith Covered Bridge: Built in 1883 by Joseph A. Britton, a single-span Burr Truss bridge spans Leatherwood Creek near Montezuma. It is 101 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 14 feet high, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978[1][3][5].
• Phillips Covered Bridge: Located near Coloma, Indiana, it is another historic King Post Truss style bridge built in the late 19th century by the same builder. It is recognized as Britton's last standing King Post Truss bridge and is often paired in visits with the Sim Smith Bridge[4][8].

Activities and Awards

• 5K Run/Walk through these historic bridges.
• Award medals for top 3 male and female finishers.
• Award for the largest participant group.
• The event is family-friendly and accessible to people with disabilities.

Rough Schedule and Location Details

• Date: May 17, 2025.
• Start Location: Keystone (Formerly Ceres Solutions), 4338 West County Road 40 North, Rockville, IN 47872.
• The route likely loops through or near the Sim Smith and Phillips Covered Bridges, which are located southeast of Montezuma and west of Rockville.
• Exact timing details are not provided but traditionally such 5Ks start in the morning and finish within 1-2 hours, with awards following.

History and Founding of the Event

Specific historical details about the founding of the Zoom Town Covered Bridge 5K are not explicitly available in the search results. However, it is clearly connected to the tradition of celebrating Parke County’s numerous historic covered bridges, which draws many visitors annually through various events like the well-known Covered Bridge Festival and related activities aimed at promoting local heritage through outdoor recreational events[4].

Summary

The Zoom Town Covered Bridge 5K celebrates the rich local heritage of Parke County’s famous covered bridges with an accessible and scenic run/walk event. Participants enjoy a unique course incorporating two historic bridges, small competitive awards, and recognition for community group participation, all embedded in the rural historic charm of Montezuma, Indiana[1][4][7].