Course Description

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The Shawnee 50 Mile and 50K Trail Run course features some of the most rugged terrain in Ohio and puts runners in the most secluded wilderness areas in the region.  And yes, the 50 Mile course has four bonus miles giving you 54 miles total. 

The 50 Mile route starts by running the 7 mile "Opening Loop" before completing a continuous 47 mile loop before finishing in the same location as the start.  The majority of the course is ran on the 40 mile Shawnee State Forest Backpack Trail in a clockwise direction.  The main deviation from the Backpack Trail is when the course reaches the remote "Campsite 6" at mile 36 - at this point runners exit the Backpack Trail to enter Wilderness Area Side Trail.  The Wilderness Area is a unique 8,000 acre area of land that has limited forest activity, including no motorized tools or equipment being allowed; that means all trail maintenance is done by hand in this area.  This 9 mile portion of the course is known as "The Dark Side" not only because it is from miles 36-45, but it is also the most remote area of the forest seeing very little sign of civilization.  Once 50 Mile runners complete The Dark Side they will rejoin the Backpack Trail until the finish line 8 miles later.

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The 50K course bypasses the Opening Loop and heads straight to the start of the Shawnee State Forest Backpack Trail.  After starting an hour after the 50 Mile race, 50K runners will likely join in with 50 Milers as they begin the Backpack Trail near the same time as you.  From here the 50K course runs with the 50 Mile course on the Backpack Trail until around mile 20; the 50K cand 50 Mile courses split at a key junction on the Mackletree Bridle Trail.  After this split the 50K course enjoys 4.3 miles of smooth ridge top bridle trail and gravel road running before joining back in with the Backpack Trail, and completing the same finishing 8 miles as the 50 Milers.

And new in 2023, the Shawnee Trail Runs includes a 13.1 mile race option to make this event more accessible to runners who don't quite want to bite off the ultra marathon distances. The 13.1 mile course still includes some notable hills, with 2,600 feet of elevation gains, and gives runner a quick dose of the two longer distances; but, the half marathon distance provides the smoothest and most runnable trails in the forest, giving runners of all abilities the chance to take part in the Shawnee Trail Runs!

A quick glance at the elevation profiles and you'll notice the frequency of the uphills.  What this course is lacking in long sustained climbs of mountainous races will make up in the the frequency and steepness of the hills.  There are very few flat sections along the course so you'll either be going up or down the entire route.  Some say this frequency of ascents and descents can be harder than big mountain races because you'll never be able to get into a rhythm.  This will eventually take a toll on your physical and mental capacity.  Whatever race distance you choose at the Shawnee Trail Runs, you'll be treated with the best and most rugged terrain Ohio has to offer - we can't wait to see you at the Shawnee Forest!