
From the Organizer

Each and every year, one of the world’s most beloved bugs visits Ohio – proudly announcing their arrival with random sparks and flickers of glowing neon throughout the summer sky. Join us as we welcome and celebrate the most efficient light in the world… the firefly! (nearly 100% of the energy in the chemical reaction within the fireflies light organ is emitted light… it’s true)
Whether you’re looking to set a distance PR or just looking to run in the dark with some friends, “The Firefly Overnight Endurance Challenge and Sunset & Sunrise 10k” will offer you that opportunity with 12-hours of fully supported, overnight-racing throughout the ONLY trail in central Ohio built BY runners, FOR runners! Wait, what?!?! Overnight!?!?! Yes!!
The race will start at 8pm, and it will be dark no matter which race you choose! So, even though the fireflies will help light your way, headlamps and/or flashlights are mandatory. Reflective gear, glow-sticks, and body-paint are encouraged.
Bring your family and friends, as the course will pass through the overnight group-camping area. Don’t forget the kids! They’ll have a race too! The kids mile will start promptly 30-minutes prior to the “big kids” race.
For the safety of all participants, minors 14-18 are permitted to participate in the Overnight Endurance challenge with than adult onsite for the duration of the event. Children under 14 are not permitted to participate.
The Firefly Overnight Endurance Challenge, starts at 8:00pm, on the Rocks and Roots trail at Alum Creek. The clock stops at 8am for the overnight challenge. Only completed laps count towards mileage.
Saturday/Sunday, June 28-29, 2025.
Overnight Endurance Challenge and Sunset & Sunrise 10k and Kids Mile
Overnight Endurance Challenge - The Firefly Overnight Endurance Challenge, starts at 8:00pm on 6/28. The clock stops at 8am for the overnight challenge. Only completed laps during the 12 hour period count towards official mileage. If the clock runs out mid lap we highly encourage completing the extra credit lap for bragging rights only as sadly those miles will not count.
THIS IS AN OVERNIGHT RACE. You must be comfortable running in the dark on a single-track trail. While the trail is very well marked it will be dark and wrong turns can be made. It is the participants responsibility to know they course and stay on the trail.
Pacers are permitted AFTER the first 10K
Crew tents are permitted in a designated zone at the lap point.
Emergency Contact # – 614.318.5640 – Should you need help while on the course call this number.
Sunset 10K – Starts at 8pm Saturday.
Sunrise 10K – Starts at 8am on Sunday.
Sunset & Sunrise Double – Participants in the dreaded Double race both the Sunset & Sunrise 10Ks! Individual race results are provided for the Sunset & Sunrise 10Ks along with combined scoring for the Double!
FREE Kids 1 Mile Sunrise Trail Race – Starts at 7:30am on 6/29.
Camping encouraged! See below for information on booking a campsite during registration!
Where - Unlike other RRTRA events this event will start and finish at the Alum Creek State Park Group Campsite, which is located just off of Lewis Center Rd and just north of the beach entrance.
Cost - Our races typically sell out 2-6 weeks prior to race day. Please note: The Firefly Trail Race has a NO REFUND and NO BIB TRANSFER policy for all events.
Overnight Endurance Challenge OR Sunset/Sunrise Double
Through February 29th - $60
March 1st-31st - $65
April 1st-30th - $70
May 1st-31st - $75
June 1 through Race Day - $85
Sunset 10K OR Sunrise 10K
Through February 29th - $45
March 1st-31st - $50
April 1st-30th - $55
May 1st-31st - $60
June 1 through Race Day - $70
Kids 1 Mile Sunrise Run
FREE!!
What do you get?
Epic trail race experience!
Event Shirt
Event Buff
Event Pint Glass
What else?
Pancake breakfast – Pancakes, sausage and coffee will be available from 7am-10am for $5. Pancakee breakfast tickets available during registration and on race day.
There is plenty of designated space available for spectators and drop bag tents for 50K & 50M participants.
Optional camping is for a site at the Group Camp and Race Headquarters (all of about 50 ft from the start/finish). Sites are approximately 15ft x 15ft.
However, you may opt to reserve a tent site for $25.
We will enforce quiet time from 11pm-7am as we have families who join us for this event.
Camping sites are NOT required.
Two breakfast tickets included with camping reservation.
This is NOT at the Alum Creek Campground which is about 5 miles away.
Packet pickup will be held at Fleet Feet Sports in Lewis Center before the event on Thursday, June 26th through Friday, June 27th during normal business hours.
Race day packet pickup will begin at 6pm at the race site at Alum Creek State Park.
Course layout is subject to change. Click here to view the Rocks And Roots Trail Map!
Endurance Challenge repeats loop as necessary. Endurance Challenge participants are scored on the last COMPLETED lap. No partial lap credit given. Race ends at 8am on Sunday.
Endurance Challenge repeats loop as necessary. Endurance Challenge participants are scored on the last COMPLETED lap. No partial lap credit given. Race ends at 8am on Sunday.
2025 Results
2025 Photos
2024 Results!
2024 Photos!
2023 Results
2022 Results | 2022 Photos Album (view AND share your own photos!)
2019 Results
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
86°
Typical Low
64°
Chance of Rain
39%
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 The Firefly Overnight Endurance Challenge & 10k Trail Race, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
19
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.
The 10K is the distance where running stops feeling like a starting point and starts feeling like a sport. Long enough to require a real training block. Short enough that race day is fully manageable for a first-timer who's put in the work.
Race day energy at a 10K is community at its best — strangers cheering you by name, people moving toward the same goal, an atmosphere that solo training can't replicate. It's fast enough that you'll spend the whole race pushing rather than managing your effort.
This is also the distance that builds the base for everything else. Most athletes who go on to run half marathons, do triathlons, or compete in HYROX started here. What you need: running shoes fitted to your stride, a training plan, and the race on your calendar. The registration is what makes the deadline real.
How long to train: 4–8 weeks for most fitness levels.
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)
The Firefly Overnight Endurance Challenge & 10k Trail Race
Jun 27, 2026