The Race before The Game
- Date
- November 28, 2026
- Distance
- Dot the i · The Big O 1-mile walk/run · The OH-IO Two-person Relay & more
From the Organizer
Go Bucks and Go Blue during this 10th annual event in downtown Sandusky. There isn’t a better way to start the morning of the Ohio State/Michigan game day than “Dotting the i” or “Blocking the M.” And you can do both in this one-of-a-kind event. There is no other city with a unique street grid like Sandusky's to complete this kind of course.
The “Dot the i” course is approximately 5 miles and the “Block the M” course is approximately 4 miles.
(Note: The "Dot the i" finish line will close at 10:30 a.m. Any participants unable to finish the course within that time are recommended to complete the Big O course instead)
The OH-IO Two-person relay. Split the Script Ohio course with one other person and each of you complete about 2.5 miles of the course.
The Big O, a one-mile walk option to complete just the O in Ohio.
Registered Participants (By November 12, 2026) receive long-sleeved shirts and are to use sidewalks and obey all traffic laws during the event.
PLACE: Monroe Street at Cameo Pizza and Central Park
COURSE: Ohio State fans will start at Cameo Pizza and run/walk the sidewalks of Sandusky completing Script Ohio (approx. 5 miles) and “Dot the i” at the finish. Michigan fans will start and finish at Cameo Pizza and run/walk the sidewalks of Sandusky completing the Block M (approx. 4 miles).
DATE: Saturday, November 28, 2026 (Date subject to change if The Game is scheduled for a different weekend than tradition)
TIME: Race Day starting at 8 a.m., Pre-Race Day Packet Pick-Up: TBD
ENTRY FEE: EARLY SIGN-UP SPECIAL THROUGH 2/28- $25.00!
$35.00 pre-registration (received no later than November 12, 2026) Race-day registration limited to availability of shirts.
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
45°
Typical Low
33°
Chance of Rain
37%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Sandusky, 1 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Sandusky, OH
Population
24,748
as of 2023
Elevation
593 ft
Nearest Airport
CLE
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport · 44 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at The Race before The Game, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
173
Days to train
- Race
- The Race before The Game
- Date
- November 28, 2026
Coming Up
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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 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)
- What is The Race before The Game?
- The Race before The Game is a running race held in Sandusky, Ohio on November 28, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is The Race before The Game?
- Saturday, November 28, 2026 in Sandusky, Ohio at 702 W. Monroe Street, Sandusky, OH. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for The Race before The Game?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
The Race before The Game
Nov 28, 2026