Head For The Hills!

On Saturday, October 5th, join us in the heart of the Chagrin River Valley for Head For The Hills! 2024.

Moreland Hills is home to many of the area’s most prized and pristine green spaces.  These include the beautiful 142-acre Forest Ridge Preserve and the Lang Pavilion (where this event will take place), sections of Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation, U.S. President James A. Garfield’s cabin and birth site, and more. Registration fees and all donations benefit the non-profit Moreland Hills Parks Commission.  This annual event provides the Parks Commission with its primary source of funds.  

The Parks Commission’s mission is to support preservation, improvements, and enjoyment of our local parks for all.  Proceeds from last year’s Head For The Hills! event helped to provide new signage at Forest Ridge and procure materials for resurfacing and improving the park’s trails.  This year the Commission hopes to begin supporting the Village as it works toward replacing and repairing the park’s picnic tables at the Lang Pavilion, installing new benches along the trail network and implementing various other improvements in the park. These initiatives will impact the thousands of community members who visit the park each year.  

We are proud of our scenic, challenging and competitive 5K through the valley!  But you don’t have to be a runner to enjoy this event.  Experience the trails of Forest Ridge Preserve on our 1.5 mile self-guided hike.  And new for this year, a special kids-oriented guided hike led by naturalists from Nature Spark and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy — bring the whole family!

All registrants for the 5K and the two hikes receive a special Head For The Hills! aluminum water bottle and chances for other great giveaways. 5K competitors have a chance to win overall and age group prizes.  And for everyone, there will be free kids activities and crafts, a silent auction where you can bid on some fantastic gifts and experiences, and more.

Come experience the beauty of the Chagrin River valley while supporting a great local cause at Head For The Hills 2024!

START TIMES

8:00 am         Runner/Hiker registration and packet pickup
8:45 am         CHAGRIN RIVER ROAD CLOSES
9:00 am         5K Run starts
9:00 am         Kids’ Guided Hike and 1.5 mile hike start  
9:00 am         Silent auction and kids activities start
10:00 am       5K awards announcement

TIMING SYSTEM

5K run                       MyLaps BibTag Chip timed

REGISTRATION

***Children participating in the Kids' Guided Hike must be accompanied by an adult

5K run                      $30.00 (Kids 6-15: $15.00) thru October 4
1.5 Mile Hike            $30.00 (Kids ages 6-15: $15.00) thru October 4       
Kids' Guided Hike    $30.00 (Kids 2 & under are free; Kids ages 3-15: $15.00) thru October 4                               

All others                 No registration required (donations appreciated)

5K run                      $35.00 (Kids 6-15: $20.00) beginning October 5 
1.5 Mile Hike            $35.00 (Kids 6-15: $20.00) beginning October 5   
Kids' Guided Hike    $35.00 (Kids 2 & under are free; Kids ages 6-15: $15.00) thru October 5                    

Any kids age 5 and under are free to participate (water bottle not included)

EARLY PACKET PICKUP

4:00-7:00 pm               Friday, October 4, 2024
                                    Fleet Feet
                                    30679 Pinetree Blvd.
                                    Pepper Pike, OH 44124 

AWARDS

5K Run only

$75 Fleet Feet Cards for overall Male and Female winners.

Plus, awards to top 3 Male and Female finishers in each age group:

14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over

RUN/HIKE REGISTRANTS RECEIVE

Custom "Head for the Hills!" aluminum water bottle!
Snacks and refreshments post-race
Chances for various other giveaways

RUN/HIKE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

5K Run
Challenge yourself on this scenic out and back course along beautiful Chagrin River Road (recently resurfaced for a smooth running experience!).  Gently rolling hills, lovely homes and early fall colors welcome competitive racers and anyone seeking an enjoyable workout regardless of pace.  

1.5-mile Hike
Traverses hills, ravines, and streams through the beautifully wooded and diverse trails in Forest Ridge Preserve. 

NEW THIS YEAR!!!! KIDS' GUIDED HIKE
Sign up for this special family-oriented hike. Join leaders Judy Semroc, Naturalist at Nature Spark and Renee Boronka, Naturalist at Western Reserve Land Conservancy for a morning in the woods. Young explorers will join naturalists for an adventure in the field. We'll explore the woods, under the majestic trees of Forest Ridge Preserve. What lives under that log? What climbs up the trees? Which birds fly through the treetops? There’s always something new to learn in nature. Kids must be accompanied by an adult who also registers for this event. We have a limited capacity of 20 kids —  spots will fill fast, so sign up now!

FAMILY AND SOCIAL EVENTS

Head For The Hills! Is about getting more people out to experience our fantastic parks.  Bring the whole family and enjoy kids activities and crafts, bid on some exciting gifts and experience in the silent auction, and more. Or just hang out in the beautiful Lang Pavilion enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and meeting your Moreland Hills neighbors!

Start Time:                            9:00am EDT

Price:                                     Free to all (donations are appreciated) 

MORE INFORMATION

Call Hermes Sports & Events at (216) 623-9933