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Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack 10 Mile Hike
October 12, 2024
Shawnee, OH, 43782, US
The Blue Blaze Festival - Run, Hike & Backpack on the Buckeye Trail
The Blue Blaze Festival is a celebration of the trail, 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. Join us for the 2024 Buckeye Trail (BT) Blue Blaze Festival and explore the diversity and beauty of the outdoors. This year we will be joining forces with Destination Shawnee, the Ohio Environmental Council 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 will be five options for a distance and trail experience right for you: Half Marathon, 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
The Half Marathon and 10K runs will use the Buckeye Trail with an out and back course. There will be mile markers and directional signs on the course. There will be several aid stations with water and Gatorade, and volunteers at all road crossings. The Half Marathon and 10K Run will start at 9:00AM, followed by the 5K at 9:15AM. The 10K and Half Marathon courses are out and back on the Buckeye Trail. Most of the course is on single-track trail, with some challenging and hilly conditions, and there are some sections on roads. The half marathon has over 1,000 feet of elevation change. The 5K course will be the same looped course introduced in 2021, and will include the Woodthrush connector trail near Tecumseh Lake.
All participants will received an event t-shirt. Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers in each of the three running events. The overall and age group results will be posted online. Age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over.
All running events will be chip timed.
After returning to Shawnee, participants can enjoy post race food and there are options to purchase food from local merchants.
Hiking the BT
The 10-Mile Hike will start and finish in Shawnee with hikers following the Blue Blazes of the Buckeye Trail and a road section that will connect to the BT to offer a looped hike experience. The 2023 Hike was designed by the Little Cities of the Forest Chapter of the BTA. A guide to historical sites will be provided to participants.
Backpacking Course
The Backpacking course is a Friday-Saturday introduction to backpacking and will be covering sections of the Buckeye Trail. This course is being planned and coordinated by Appalachian Understories and Tecumseh Theater. This event will start and finish in Shawnee.
Backpacking Schedule
- Meet at Tecumseh Theatre, on Friday at 11:00am, for the backpack shakedown and group discussion. Following the brief orientation you will hit the Buckeye Trail, with a planned departure in early afternoon.
- Saturday, the backpackers will return to Shawnee in the early afternoon.
To register for the BACKPACKING, please use the eventbrite site.
For more information and registration,
CLICK Backpacking. Or use the following URL li
The Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival, set to take place on October 12, 2024, in Shawnee, Ohio, offers a diverse range of events catering to runners, hikers, and backpackers. This festival, a celebration of the Buckeye Trail, typically features a Half Marathon, 10K Run, and 5K Run, alongside a 10-mile Hike and Backpack option. While specific race history details are not provided, the event's focus on the Buckeye Trail suggests a connection to promoting and enjoying this extensive hiking network. Participants can anticipate a day of outdoor activity with varying challenges suitable for different fitness levels. Expect the terrain for the running events and the 10-mile hike to be primarily trail-based, characteristic of the Buckeye Trail. This generally means uneven surfaces, roots, rocks, and some elevation changes, especially within the Shawnee National Forest area where the event is located. Participants should be prepared for potentially mixed conditions on the trails, depending on the weather leading up to and on race day. The "Blue Blaze" in the title likely refers to the distinctive blue blazes used to mark the Buckeye Trail, highlighting the scenic and natural setting participants will experience. The inclusion of a backpack option suggests an emphasis on the longer-distance hiking and overnight experience, appealing to those seeking a more immersive trail adventure.
⚠️ AI-generated content may be inaccurate or outdated. Please verify details with official race sources before making decisions.
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