The Hocking Hills Trail Race is a must-attend event for any outdoor enthusiast seeking a thrilling and picturesque running experience. Held annually in the stunning Hocking Hills State Park and Hocking State Forest in Logan, Ohio, this race offers a variety of distance options to cater to runners of all skill levels.
Overview of the Hocking Hills Trail Race
The Hocking Hills Trail Race takes place on September 21, 2024, and features five distance options: 60k, 40k, 20k, 10k, and 5k. The race starts and finishes at the Hocking Hills State Park Naturalist Cabin, located at 19852 S.R. 664 S in Hocking County.
Runners can expect a challenging and scenic course that winds through the Hocking Hills State Park Cottages, up Steel Hill Road, along Chapel Ridge Road, and into the Hocking Hills State Forest on the Queer Ridge Trail. The course also passes through the Cedar Falls area, Rose Lake, the Old Man’s Cave campground, and over the A-Frame Bridge at Old Man’s Cave.
Course Details
60k Course
The 60k trail follows the 20k trail three times, covering a total distance of 37.2 miles. Runners will experience the full breadth of the Hocking Hills landscape, including the Hocking Hills State Park Cottages, Route 664, Steel Hill Road, Chapel Ridge Road, the Hocking Hills State Forest, Cedar Falls, Rose Lake, the Old Man’s Cave campground, and the A-Frame Bridge.
40k Course
The 40k trail follows the 20k trail twice, covering a total distance of 24.8 miles. Runners will traverse similar terrain as the 60k course, but at a slightly shorter distance.
20k Course
The 20k trail covers 12.4 miles, taking runners through the Hocking Hills State Park Cottages, Route 664, Steel Hill Road, Chapel Ridge Road, the Hocking Hills State Forest, Cedar Falls, Rose Lake, the Old Man’s Cave campground, and the A-Frame Bridge.
10k Course
The 10k trail starts on State Route 374 near the intersection of Chapel Ridge Road and proceeds through the Cedar Falls area, Rose Lake, the Old Man’s Cave campground, and over the A-Frame Bridge at Old Man’s Cave.
5k Course
The 5k trail starts at the Family Hike In lot on State Route 374, then goes through the Family Hike In and the forest to Rose Lake, through the Old Man’s Cave campground, and over the A-Frame Bridge at Old Man’s Cave.
Registration and Logistics
Registration and check-in for pre-registered runners begin at 6:30 a.m. on the day of the race. Refreshments will be available for runners after their races, but gear check and showers are not provided. Water stops are located at Steel Hill/Chapel Ridge Road, the Cedar Falls parking lot, the beginning of the Campground, and the Naturalist’s Cabin.
Additional Information
For those looking to prepare for the Hocking Hills Trail Race, a free training plan for beginner runners is available from None to Run. Runners can also find nearby hotels and Airbnb accommodations using a map on the RunGuides website. A pace calculator is also available on the RunGuides website to help runners estimate their finish times.
Contact Information
For more information about the Hocking Hills Trail Race, you can contact the organizers at:
- Phone: 740-385-2750
- Website: hockinghillsstatepark.com
- Address: 20160 State Route 664 South, Logan, Ohio 43138
References
- https://hockinghillstrailrun.itsyourrace.com
- https://www.runguides.com/event/17450/hocking-hills-trail-run
- https://www.hockinghills.com/events/Sep-21-2024_Hocking_Hills_Trail_Run.html
- https://www.explorehockinghills.com/things-to-do/hocking-hills-trail-run/
- https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Logan/HockingHillsTrailRun