Events
Location
Oak Grove Picnic Area, Brecksville Reservation
Valley Parkway (1.5 miles east of Brecksville Rd / US 21)
Brecksville, OH 44141
Description
The Buckeye Trail 50k was started in 1994 as Joe Jurczyk’s informal birthday run/race. Joe has been running the Buckeye Trail since his college days – which predates the CVNP. The original course was an out and back starting at Oak Grove and going south to Pine Lane. It also included segments to Brecksville Road (the first course was actually longer than 50k!) The out and back course enabled all participants to see every other participant at some point along the course.
While the park systems mature and routes are changed to incorporate many different needs, the allure of the Buckeye Trail 50k remains. In the first year, the event had thirteen finishers with Steve Godale and Mark Godale, both running their first ultramarathon, finishing together in first place in 5:12:18. As trail running has become more popular, so has the race. As one of the first ultras in Ohio and now in its 30th year, the Buckeye Trail 50k is recognized as the oldest trail 50k in the state of Ohio.
Course
Click here to view the Buckeye Trail 50k course map.
Donations
Donations benefit the Crooked River Chapter of the Buckeye Trail Association.
Swag Options
Choose One:
- Triblend Tee with Buckeye Trail 50k logo (unisex sizing) and Finisher Medal
- OES Ultra-light Packable Rain/Wind Jacket (unisex sizing) and Finisher Medal – $20 premium
Awards
- Top 3 Overall Male and Female
- Top 3 Male and Female in the following 5-year age groups:
24 & Under, 2-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70 & Over
Endurance Athletes of the Year
Participate in 4 events to qualify and have a chance to be an Ohio Endurance Athlete of the Year! Qualifiers receive a trading card with your photo and Ohio Endurance Series race stats. Awards will be given for the Top 5 Overall, Top 1 Masters, Top 1 Grand Master.
Registration
- EARLY REGISTRATION (through June 5): $85
- REGULAR REGISTRATION (June 6-25): $90
- LATE REGISTRATION (June 26 - July 6): $95
Race Day Details
- START TIME: 7:00 A.M. (10 hour cutoff)
- PACKET PICKUP
- Early Packet Pickup: Friday 2:00-7:00 P.M. at Vertical Runner Brecksville
- Race Day Packet Pickup begins at 6:00 A.M. at Oak Grove
- AID STATIONS (located at miles 5.5, 11, 15.5, 19.5, and 25) will serve the following:
- Hydration: Water, Tailwind, Coke, ginger ale
- Salty snacks: Pickles, pretzel nuggets with peanut butter, dry roasted peanuts
- Sweet snacks: Nutty Buddies, Payday candy bars, Reese's PB cups, gummy bears, pineapple chunks, watermelon
- Food / Boston Store (miles 11 and 19.5) & Pine Lane (mile 15.5): Sandwich pinwheels (cucumber/honey/cream cheese, carrots/peppers/ranch dressing/cream cheese, bacon/American cheese/cream cheese)
- Food / Snowville (mile 25): Pizza (plain, light cheese)
- Finish Line: Hot dogs (meat and plant based) and snow cones
- Water-only stops will be located on course (miles 1.25, 8.5, 23.5, and 29.75). Participants are encouraged to carry water.
- DROP BAGS: There will be a drop bag location at Pine Lane. Mark your bag with your name and bib number and bring it to the start. Maximum drop bag size is 16”x20”x16” – no hard cases.
- NO CREW/SPECTATOR ACCESS: Please note there is no crew or spectator access on course. Anyone violating this policy will be disqualified. We encourage any spectators to cheer for their runners at Oak Grove.
More Information
- Fools 50k & 25k is part of the Ohio Endurance Series, featuring fully supported trail races of varying distance and difficulty in the best parks throughout Ohio.
- Visit our website to learn more about Western Reserve Racing and to view our race calendar
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
RaceJoy
Interactive Race Day Experience with RaceJoy
Live Phone Tracking, GPS Progress Alerts and Cheers!
We are providing you with RaceJoy as part of the official race experience for the Buckeye Trail 50K.
Download the RaceJoy mobile app in advance to ensure proper phone setup. Invite your friends and family to track you and send you cheers!
Some key RaceJoy features include:
GPS Progress Alerts
- Receive continual progress updates as you complete your goal.
Live GPS Tracking
- Remote spectators can track your progress live in a map view. You can also track others.
Send-a-Cheer
- Receive supportive audio cheers from remote friends & family.
Virtual Results (virtual events only)
- Enter your race-assigned bib number to automatically submit your finish data for real-time scored results.
Directions
Oak Grove Picnic Area, Brecksville Reservation
Valley Parkway (approximately 1.5 miles east of Brecksville Rd / US 21)
Brecksville, OH 44141
GPS coordinates for Oak Grove are 41.30853, -81.60176
