
From the Organizer


Explore the trails with us this winter in our 13th annual Rocks and Roots Winter Trail Series in January and February! Choose from distances of 10K, 20K, 30K, 40K, or 50K at both dates.
Opt to run just one of the races, or sign up for both races and receive the Trail Package, which includes our RnR Hoody, Feetures Socks, and a RnR Water Bottle! Keep reading to learn more!
Our 2027 events will be held on Sunday, January 24th and Sunday, February 21st. We are again partnering with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to put on our annual trail running series at Alum Creek State Park. Just like in the past you have the option to sign up for 2 event dates and a WIDE variety of distances, on the only trail in Ohio built for runners, by runners, the Rocks and Roots Trail at Alum Creek! \
When - Sunday, January 24th and February 21st.
ALL races will begin at: 8:00am
What - 10K, 20K, 30K 40K & 50K Trail Racing Series
Where - Rocks and Roots Trail at Alum Creek State Park. The start of the race is located just off of Hollenback Rd and just south of the dog park(3993 Hollenback Rd Lewis Center, OH 43035). Watch for yellow Fleet Feet arrows pointing you in the right direction!!
The Central Ohio Trail Running Community continues to grow and we are excited to provide you with the resources our trail community needs! Join the Rocks and Roots Trail Runners Association for training runs and trail works days as we ramp up for the annual Rocks and Roots Trail Series!nique, flat, fast course!
Trail Running Package (included in registration for series that include BOTH dates)
1 hooded sweatshirt (unisex/mens sizing).
1 RnR Water Bottle
1 Pair Socks
2 gels/bars!
(Trail Running Package is limited to the first 300 who register for the entire series)
5 distances to choose from
1 unique event shirt (gender specific sizing) at the January race
1 event buff at the February race.
Finisher Medals to all participants.
Belt Buckle to double 50K finishers!
Not sure you can commit to both races? You have the option to sign up for each event individually! But, you don’t get the Trail Running Package � January registrants receive the event tee. February registrants receive the buff.
Cost for the series - (Includes both race dates and the Trail Package!)
$125 through September 30
$150 October 1 through November 30
Cost for individual events - (Shirt/Medal Only, Trail Package NOT included).
$65 through September 30
$70 October 1 through November 30
If you wish to change to a different distance than you signed up for, you must notify Fleet Feet at info@fleetfeet.com.
Please note: The Rocks and Roots Trail Series has a NO REFUND and NO BIB TRANSFER policy for all events.
Packet Pick Up - YOU WILL HAVE A UNIQUE BIB FOR EACH RACE!
January event – January 9th-10th at Fleet Feet Sports (1270 E Powell Rd, 43035)
February event – February 13th-14th at Fleet Feet Sports (1270 E Powell Rd, 43035
Race day packet pickup will beginning at 7am at the race site.
Parking: Parking can be found in the lots surrounding the start/finish area.
Cut-Off Time: The course closes for 50Kers at 4:00pm (8 hour limit – 15:27 pace for 50K). All 50K participants must begin their 4th lap before 1:00pm. All 50K participants must begin their 5th and final lap before 2:20pm.
Drop Bags: We will have a tent (or two or three) designated for drop bags located at the 10K loop start/finish, and can be accessed after completing each loop.
Aid Stations: Aid stations will be located at the 10K loop start/finish, at 2.5 miles on the north loop, and the 10K lap point, and around 8.7 miles (2.5 miles into the south loop). Aid stations will be stocked with water, Gatorade, and other delicious treats as determined by our amazing core of volunteers! And of course, we will have our world famous soup waiting for you at the start/finish line.
The Course: The Rocks & Roots Trail Series is aptly named as there are a LOT of rocks and roots. You will encounter stream crossings. Rocks & Roots are likely to be covered by leaves, snow, and or mud! See map below!
There will be at least one water crossing depending on course conditions! Please walk and run only on marked trails. Running off trail, including just off to the side of the worn path, damages the ecosystem, and causes unrepairable damage to the trail.
The course is comprised of two 10K loops held primarily on single track trail. Runners will run the north and south loops in a figure 8. 1st loop runs to the NORTH loop and is run clockwise, 2nd loop is run SOUTH and is run counter-clockwise. Repeat as necessary! Loops are repeated as necessary based on selected race distance.
January 11, 2026 - Results Photos
February 15, 2026 - Results Photos
January 12, 2025 - Results
February 16, 2025 - Results - Photos
January 14, 2024 – Results – Photos
February 18, 2024 – Results – Photos
January 15, 2023 – Results – Photos
February 19, 2023 – Results – Photos
January 16, 2022 – Results – Photos
February 20, 2022 – Results – Photos
2021 Winter COVID Challenge – Results – Photos
January 12, 2020 – Results – Photos
February 16, 2020 – Results – Photos
January 6, 2019 – Results – Photos
February 10, 2019 – Results – Photos
January 9, 2018 – Results – Photos
February 10, 2018 – Results – Photos
January 8, 2017 – Results – Photos
February 12, 2017 – Results – Photos
January 10, 2016 – Results – Photos
February 7, 2016 – Results – Photos
January 11, 2015 – 10K 20K 30K 40K 50K Album 1 Album 2
February 8, 2015 – 10K 20K 30K 40K 50K 50 Mile Album 1 Album 2 Album 3
January 12, 2014 – 10K 20K 30K 40K 50K Photos
February 9, 2014 – 10K 20K 30K 40K 50K Photos
Events
Weather
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
38°
Typical Low
21°
Chance of Rain
41%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Westerville, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
Elevation
921 ft
Nearest Airport
CMH
John Glenn Columbus International Airport · 14 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Rocks and Roots Winter Series, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
230
Days to train
Coming Up
Fast Rabbits Summer Nights Race Series
Less than a mile away
Run Out Duchenne 5K
Less than a mile away
TogetherFest presented by New Balance - A Celebration of Summer Training with Fleet Feet Columbus
Less than a mile away
Fast Rabbits Summer Run Camp
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
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.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Rocks and Roots Winter Series
Jan 24, 2027