Terrain Magazine - St. Louis

12/31/2025

Our top story from 2025: "They Were Magnificent Humans" from our July/August issue is an oral history of the first MR340 endurance paddle race, told by 12 competitors and organizers who were at the event in 2006.

Registration for the 2026 event opens tomorrow (Jan 1, 2026) at https://mr340.org/.

Read our full story in the comment section below.

12/30/2025

Another top story from 2025 came in our November/December issue.

"Hanging On," an essay by Dani Critzas-Murphy, tackled the topics of climbing, motherhood, depression, resilience, recovery, and more.

Link to her full essay in the comment section below.

12/29/2025

As we count down to the New Year, we're featuring a few of our top stories from 2025.

"Conquering the Katy" from our March/April issue followed writer Kyle Wayne Stewart on a four-day thru ride of the Katy Trail, 240 miles from Clinton to Machens, Mo., complete with recommended stops, services, and a packing list.

Read the full story via the comments section. 👇

12/23/2025

‼️WE’RE HIRING‼️
We are looking to add a full-time Programming Coordinator to our team.

Apply by sending a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the subject line Programming Coordinator Position.

View the full job listing here: https://www.indeed.com/job/programming-coordinator-be90ddd491b0c9a2

12/18/2025

Worth a read. Do NOT mess with the trash pandas.

Warren County Gazette did not disappoint with this article

MARTHASVILLE — A Marthasville man’s attempt to “rescue” a roadside raccoon ended in flashing lights, a traffic backup, and one extremely offended woodland creature late Tuesday night on Highway 94 near Peers.

According to witnesses, Earl “Buddy” Whitcomb, 27, abruptly stopped his vehicle in the middle of the highway after spotting a raccoon loitering near the center line. Whitcomb allegedly exited his car with confidence, determination, and what police later described as “absolutely no plan,” before attempting to scoop up the animal with his bare hands.

The raccoon, unimpressed by the gesture, immediately rejected the proposal and responded with teeth, claws, and what one bystander called “pure Appalachian fury.”

By the time deputies arrived, Whitcomb and the raccoon were reportedly locked in what officials described as “a low-budget nature documentary gone wrong,” with traffic stalled in both directions and the raccoon clearly winning on points.

“He had the stance of someone who thought this was going to end differently,” one deputy said. “The raccoon had the stance of a creature who has survived several winters and trusts no one.”

Whitcomb was taken into custody for attempting to capture wildlife and for creating a hazard on the roadway. He later told officers the entire situation was a misunderstanding.

“I wasn’t trying to hurt it,” Whitcomb said. “I just figured I’d move him off the road. Maybe keep him. He looked chill.”

The raccoon was last seen fleeing into the woods near Peers, reportedly unharmed but emotionally scarred and now deeply distrustful of humanity.

No word yet on whether the raccoon plans to press charges.

This is a developing story.

⸻

The Warren County Gazette is a news satire and parody publication. All content contained within this page, however similar to real events, is fictitious. Any real, semi-real or similar names, places, people, products, services and locales are used purely for satirical purposes, and the corresponding story details are purely fictitious.

12/18/2025

Our January/February 2026 issue is now live! Read the digital edition now at https://digital.terrain-mag.com/JanuaryFebruary-2026/C1/

You can pick up a free print copy starting next week at any of our drop locations listed at www.terrain-mag.com/magazine.

If you would like to receive Terrain in your home mailbox, you can subscribe or purchase single issues at www.terrain-mag.com/store.

To request bulk copies for distribution, contact [email protected].

12/17/2025

Registration for the Missouri American Water MR340 opens on January 1!

The new MR340 website is officially live.

Same river. Same challenge. A whole new look.

This redesign was envisioned by Hoot Design Company and built by our incredible website partner Pixel Jam Digital, both women-led businesses based right here in Columbia, Missouri.

All the information you rely on is still here, now with a fresh visual punch and a clearer path to everything you need as race day gets closer. Dive in, click around, and start picturing yourself on the river.

Registration for the 2026 MR340 opens January 1st at 8 am Central Time.

https://mr340.org/

12/16/2025

Did you know that when you join Gateway Off-Road Cyclists, Saint Louis Ultrarunners Group (SLUGS), St. Louis Track Club, or Trailnet you get a FREE print subscription to Terrain Magazine? It’s true — membership has its privileges.

Now is the perfect time to sign up and discover a whole new world of connection and community in the New Year!

https://gorctrails.com/membership/
https://www.stlouisultrarunnersgroup.com/membership
https://runsignup.com/MemberOrg/StLouisTrackClub/Info
https://trailnet.org/join-the-movement/membership/

12/12/2025

In November, Great Rivers Greenway and Metro East Park and Recreation District celebrated 25 years of funding, building, connecting, and maintaining hundreds of miles of multi-use trails for locals and visitors alike. We took a look at 10 top trails from each group: for families, walking, training, commuting, nature, and more.

Read the full story via the link in the comments section. 👇

12/10/2025

In November, River City Outdoors awarded $20,000 in grants to eight community organizations working to expand access and equity in the St. Louis outdoors.

That’s a big leap from the three micro-grants totaling $6,000 the nonprofit distributed just a year earlier.

“You can’t really call them ‘micro-grants’ anymore — they’re just grants,” says Roo Yawitz, President of River City Outdoors. “We are honored to support the work of these organizations and excited to see the impact these projects will bring to our outdoor spaces in the coming year and beyond.”

From environmental science programs and trail improvements to climbing routes, paddling instruction, and adaptive cycling equipment, this year’s grantees are opening doors for thousands of people across the region.

Read the full story via the link in the comments. 👇

12/06/2025

Have you been to State Street Trails in Alton, Illinois? They are under threat of closing down. If you know these folks or are familiar with these trails, let us know your thoughts and show your support.

The owners of the State Street Trails in Alton have not given up the fight to reclaim what they say is their right to use their own property. While the

12/05/2025

See why author, filmmaker, and native Eddy L. Harris got a standing ovation at the 2025 Gateway Outdoor Summit in November.

Though he wasn’t born to the wild, a 2,000-mile canoe journey taught acclaimed author, filmmaker, and lecturer Eddy L. Harris endurance, solitude, and self. ...