Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival - Half Marathon
Shawnee, United States • 25-26 Sep 2026
Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival
The Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival is an outdoor event held in the village of Shawnee, Ohio. Organized in conjunction with National Public Lands Day, the festival focuses on the Buckeye Trail within the Wayne National Forest. The terrain in this section consists primarily of single-track trails.
The event includes several participation options for runners, hikers, and those interested in backpacking:
- Half Marathon: A 13.1-mile trail run.
- 10K: A 6.1-mile trail run.
- 5K Run/Walk: A 3.1-mile course for runners and walkers.
- 10 Mile Hike: A 10-mile out-and-back hike on a looped section of the Buckeye Trail.
- Backpacking Workshop: An overnight backpacking experience and trek.
The running events are chip-timed, and participants receive live results. The 10-mile hike is led by the Little Cities of the Forest Chapter of the Buckeye Trail Association. Hikers are provided with a race bib and timing chip to monitor their start and finish times. This guided hike follows the blue blazes of the Buckeye Trail and features several historical points of interest. Participants on the hike receive a route map and a guide detailing these historical locations.
The festival is a collaborative effort involving Destination Shawnee, the Tecumseh Theater, and various outdoor recreational organizations. It serves to highlight the historic Village of Shawnee and the diversity of the Buckeye Trail as a destination for outdoor activities. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.