Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival – Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack 2026 — Shawnee, OH

Date
September 25, 2026
Location
Shawnee, OH
Venue
127B W. Main St.
Start Time
8:00 AM
Entry Fee
$20.00 – $65.00
Events
Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run/Walk, 10 Mile Hike, Backpacking Workshop
Includes
T-Shirt
Register NowRegistration OpenOfficial Race Website

Registration for the Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival ranges from $20 to $65, with races starting at 8:00 AM on September 25, 2026, in Shawnee, Ohio. The festival offers multiple distance options: a 1-mile run, 10K, 10-mile run, and half marathon, along with hiking and backpacking events. The venue is located at 127B W. Main St. This multi-sport format makes it accessible to runners and hikers of varying fitness levels, whether you're looking for a shorter introduction or a longer endurance challenge on the Buckeye Trail.

From the Race Organizer
The Blue Blaze Festival - Run, Hike & Backpack on the Buckeye Trail The Blue Blaze Festival is a celebration of Ohio's Buckeye Trail in conjunction with National Public Lands Day. 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 (BT). Join us for the 2026 Blue Blaze Festival and explore the diversity and beauty of the outdoors. This year we will be joining forces with Destination Shawnee, the Tecumseh Theater 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 is a trail experience and distance right for you: Half Marathon (13.1 miles), 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 9:00am Half Marathon and 10K, 9:15am 5K start. Hiking the Buckeye Trail The 10-Mile Hike will start at 8:00am (1 hour before the running events) in Shawnee. All hikers will be given a race bib/number with a timing chip used to monitor when hikers start and finish the hike. The hike is designed and lead by the Little Cities of the Forest Chapter of the BTA, with a number of historical points following the Blue Blazes of the Buckeye Trail. A guide with historical points of interest and the route map will be provided to participants.

Hotels Near This Race

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Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival – Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack 2026 — Shawnee, OH

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Race Travel Insurance

Don't forget travel insurance for September 25.

You've trained for months and booked a trip to Shawnee, OH. A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing. Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it, and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run 5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no additional coverage needed.

  • Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
  • Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
  • Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
  • Emergency medical up to $250,000
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Get a Quote — Faye Travel Insurance

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival – Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack 2026 — Shawnee, OH?

Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival – Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack 2026 — Shawnee, OH takes place on September 25, 2026. The race is held in Shawnee, Ohio.

Where is Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival – Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack 2026 — Shawnee, OH held?

Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival – Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack 2026 — Shawnee, OH is held at 127B W. Main St. in Shawnee, Ohio.

Where can I find hotels near Buckeye Trail Blue Blaze Festival – Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, Hike and Backpack 2026 — Shawnee, OH?

RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Shawnee. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.