Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack
Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack is a running and other race on September 25–26, 2026 in Shawnee, OH, with entry fees from $20 to $45.
- Date
- September 25–26, 2026 (64 days to go)
- Location
- 127B W. Main St., Shawnee, OH
- Price
- $20–$45
- Sports
- RunningOther
From the Organizer
The Blue Blaze Festival - Run, Hike & Backpack on the Buckeye Trail
The Blue Blaze Festival is a celebration of Ohio's Buckeye Trail in conjunction with National Public Lands Day. Whether you are a trail runner, hiker, or would like to learn more about backpacking you are welcome to be a part of our celebration of the Buckeye Trail (BT). Join us for the 2026 Blue Blaze Festival and explore the diversity and beauty of the outdoors. This year we will be joining forces with Destination Shawnee, the Tecumseh Theater and outdoor recreational organizations to bring together runners, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to the Village of Shawnee. This section of the Buckeye Trail, in the Wayne National Forest, is mostly single-track trail and provides some very challenging terrain. The Blue Blaze Festival will be highlighting the BT as an outdoor destination for running, hiking and backpacking, plus all of the excitement happening in the historic Village of Shawnee.
There is a trail experience and distance right for you: Half Marathon (13.1 miles), 10K, 5K run/walk, 10 Mile Hike and an overnight Backpacking trek. All events are on the Buckeye Trail in the Wayne National Forest.
Running Events - Half Marathon, 10K and 5K
9:00am Half Marathon and 10K, 9:15am 5K start.
Hiking the Buckeye Trail
The 10-Mile Hike will start at 8:00am (1 hour before the running events) in Shawnee. All hikers will be given a race bib/number with a timing chip used to monitor when hikers start and finish the hike. The hike is designed and lead by the Little Cities of the Forest Chapter of the BTA, with a number of historical points following the Blue Blazes of the Buckeye Trail. A guide with historical points of interest and the route map will be provided to participants.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
73°
Typical Low
48°
Chance of Rain
30%
Based on US Climate Normals data from New Lexington 2 Nw, 9 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Shawnee, OH
Population
295
as of 2023
City Elevation
913 ft
Nearest Airport
LCK
Rickenbacker International Airport · 41 mi
Major Hub
CMH
John Glenn Columbus International Airport · 45 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
64
Days to train
- Race
- Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack
- Date
- September 25–26, 2026
- Location
- 127B W. Main St., Shawnee, OH
Want more races like this?
Enter your email and we'll send more your way.
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More Running races near Shawnee, OH
Zane's Trace 5k/10k
5K · 10K · From $30 · 375 Muskingum Ave
25 miles away
Hattie's Day 5K
5K · From $30 · 25 Campbell Street
20 miles away
740 Games 5k
From $30 · 14470 OH-328
12 miles away
Bobcat
Half Marathon · Marathon · From $70 · Burr Oak Lodge
10 miles away
Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to Shawnee than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to ShawneeFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack?+
When and where is the Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack?+
How do I register for the Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack?+
Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack
Sep 25, 2026