2018 Courses and Map
All races start and end at the Buehner Center next to Mallard Lake.
The 25K and 50K courses follow the 15.5 mile Scout hiking trail counterclockwise (1 or 2 laps). There will be aid stations approximately every 2-3 miles. The course will be marked with pink surveyor flags and ribbons; miles will also be marked. The Scout trail is also permanently marked with yellow dots painted on trees.
The 5K course follows portions of the Red, Blue, and Bike trails and will be marked similarly.
(click map to print)
Course elevation: Northwest Ohio is pretty much pancake flat and so is Oak Openings! There will be a few mini-climbs of 10-20 feet on portions of the courses that go along or over stream beds and small sand dunes (watch out for the giant sandworms!) Total elevation change for one lap of the 15.5 mile Scout hiking is less than 1,000 feet.
There are no water crossings except via wooden bridges (which may be slippery when wet!) Roots, rocks/gravel, tree debris, scratchy vegetation, and other trail hazards will be encountered. Trail-running shoes are recommended, especially for grip on loose soils, but not necessary.
All the courses are completely runnable resulting in fast times.
Here are links to the park and a description of the 15.5 mile hiking trail:
Oak Openings Metropark
The Scout Hiking Trail
All races start and end at the Buehner Center next to Mallard Lake.
The 25K and 50K courses follow the 15.5 mile Scout hiking trail counterclockwise (1 or 2 laps). There will be aid stations approximately every 2-3 miles. The course will be marked with pink surveyor flags and ribbons; miles will also be marked. The Scout trail is also permanently marked with yellow dots painted on trees.
The 5K course follows portions of the Red, Blue, and Bike trails and will be marked similarly.
(click map to print)
Course elevation: Northwest Ohio is pretty much pancake flat and so is Oak Openings! There will be a few mini-climbs of 10-20 feet on portions of the courses that go along or over stream beds and small sand dunes (watch out for the giant sandworms!) Total elevation change for one lap of the 15.5 mile Scout hiking is less than 1,000 feet.
There are no water crossings except via wooden bridges (which may be slippery when wet!) Roots, rocks/gravel, tree debris, scratchy vegetation, and other trail hazards will be encountered. Trail-running shoes are recommended, especially for grip on loose soils, but not necessary.
All the courses are completely runnable resulting in fast times.
Here are links to the park and a description of the 15.5 mile hiking trail:
Oak Openings Metropark
The Scout Hiking Trail