Dirt Days Trail Series - East Fork SP Trail Run

Dirt Days Trail Series - East Fork SP Trail Run

Sunday, July 26, 2026 8:30 am 

East Fork State Park, Bethel, OH

The East Fork SP Trail Run is where the Dirt Days Trail Series all began. As the name states, the race will take place on the well-established Backpack Trail, at East Fork Lake State Park. The 5.6 mile course is densely wooded, and might give runners the feeling that they are on the Appalachian Trail. The course reverses direction each year. Note: Previously, this race was called the Backpack Trail Run but there was some confusion as to whether you had to wear a backpack for the race. 

All registration will be done online including on race day. 

We have added a "Trekker" category for those who would like to do the 10+ mile course but need extra time to finish. If you think that you need more than 2-2.5 hours to finish, we encourage you to consider the this option. You can start at 8:00 instead of 8:30. You will receive a time and credit for participation. Also, you can finish before all the food is gone!

New for 2026: We have added a Trekker category for the 5+ event as well. 

Location:

East Fork Lake Ohio State Park

Link to East Fork State Park Web Page

GPS Coordinates to the beach: 39.016999, -84.133509

Important - Race begins and ends at the South beach on the SOUTH side of the lake. Use Route 125 and not Route 32.

Start Time:

The One-lap 5.4 Mile Race and the  two-lap 10.6 Mile event will begin  at 8:30 am.

We will also have a Trekker start beginning at 8:00. For those who need extra time or just want to start early, the trekker category is for you. We will record your time regardless of the distance that you run/walk.  You will not score for the Dirty Dozen or race day competitive awards but you will count towards participation awards and random drawings.

We will begin to sweep the course around 9:30 so you must complete your first lap by then.

The Course:

As the name states, the race will take place on the well-established Backpack Trail, at East Fork Lake State Park. 

The course reverses direction each year. Clockwise in even years. Counterclockwise in odd years. (Clockwise for 2026)

Individual Event Awards:

Age based awards for each event

Random prize drawings for each event. Plus, one pair of Altra shoes given out at random. No Duplicates (limit one pair per season)

Registration Fee:

Registration Fee: $23.50. Online Registration Only, 

Kids 14 and under will receive a $5 discount at checkout. 

Season Pass:

We offer a season pass for the entire Dirt Days Trail Series. One price covers all eight events. More information. 

Race Day Registration and Check-In:

7:10  am.- through 8:15 am.  Race day registration will be available online. 

Trail Series Shirts:

Dirt Days Trail Series Shirts will be available for purchase at the Fleet Feet Tent on Race Day or with your registration for. $20

The direction is reversed each year - Counter clockwise for odd years, Clockwise in even years.

You can view/print the attached course map.

If you use Strava, you can follow this link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5596751115

In order to reduce handling, for 2020, we will be using disposable timing chips.

This year's event will be timing using MyLaps Disposable bib tags. The chip will be on the bib number. No need to turn in pull tags or return the timing chip.

Dirt Days Trail Series - Backpack Trail Run

Sunday, July 26, 2020 9:00 am 

East Fork State Park, Bethel, OH

Note: (This is a change from original date of July 19)

START TIMES FOR 2020 ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO TO HEAT. STAY TUNED AS WE EVALUATE FURTHER.

HANDICAPPING IS CURRENTLY UNDER EVALUATION AS WELL.

The East Fork Backpack Trail Run is where the series all began.

The 5.6 mile race will have handicap starts as in the past. This classic race will remain relatively unchanged from previous years. The unique aspect of this race is the handicapped start. All runners will receive a handicap based on Age, Sex, and previous performance in the series.  Those with the larger handicaps will start first and those with no handicaps will start last. Everybody will start within a 30 minute time frame.The object is that everyone will have an equal chance at finishing first, and it will be a true chase to the finish.

As the name states, the race will take place on the well-established Backpack Trail, at East Fork Lake State Park. The 5.4 mile course is densely wooded, and might give runners the feeling that they are on the Appalachian Trail. The course reverses direction each year. The 10.8 mile (two loop) race will have a mass start with no handicaps.

We have added a "Trekker" category for those who would like to do the 10+ mile course but need extra time to finish. If you think that you need more than 2-2.5 hours to finish, we encourage you to consider the this option. You can start at 8:00 instead of nine. You will receive a time and credit for participation. Also, you can finish before all the food is gone!

You Must Pre-register to receive a handicap for the 5.6 mile race.

Race day registration will be available for both the 5.6 mile and the 10.8 mile race however there will be no handicaps given for the 5.6 mile race (This means that you will start last)

This is the fifth stop of the 2020 Dirt Days Trail Series. Each race will be scored separately. In the shorter handicapped race your actual finish position determines your placement for the Backpack Trail Run scoring. However, your actual running time, not your handicapped finish place, is used to determine your place for series points

 Location:

East Fork Lake Ohio State Park

Link to East Fork State Park Web Page

GPS Coordinates to the beach: 39.016999, -84.133509

Important - Race begins and ends at the beach on the SOUTH side of the lake off. Use Route 125 and not Route 32.

Start Time:

The clock will start at 0:00 at around 9:00 am.

All participants in the 5.6 mile course will start between 9:00 and 9:30 

All 10.8 Milers (except for Trekkers) Start at 0:00 on the clock (9:00 am)

Trekkers start at 8:00 am

The Course:

As the name states, the race will take place on the well-established Backpack Trail, at East Fork Lake State Park. The 5.4 mile course is densely wooded, and might give runners the feeling that they are on the Appalachian Trail. The 10.8 mile (two loop) race will have a mass start with no handicaps. 

The course reverses direction each year. Clockwise in even years. Counterclockwise in odd years.

Individual Event Awards:

The overall top male and overall top female

Random drawing 

age-graded awards.

 randomly drawn door prizes.

You must be present to win any random drawing and you cannot accept for someone else, so stick around!

T-Shirts:

Dirt Day Trail series Tech shirts will also be available for purchase both online and at the race. These shirts are being sold by Fleet Feet and are $20 each while supplies last.

Amenities:

We will have a variety of treats for you. 

Registration Fee:

Registration Fee: $15 Pre-registration per race. Late registration, when offered, will be $17. It was determined that not enough folks were pre-registering so the race day fee was raised to $20 to "encourage" pre-registration.

IMPORTANT: You must pre-register to receive a handicap for the 5.6 mile race.

Online registration is available through Saturday, July 25, 2020.

Register by mail by printing and mailing a paper registration form. Postmark by Tuesday, July 21, 2020.

Register on Race day from 7:30 am through 8:45 am

Race Day Registration and pick up:

There is no early packet pick up for this event. Check in on day of race is from 7:30 am through 8:45 am. 

The Dirt Days Trail Series:

This is the fifth stop of the 2020 Dirt Days Trail Series.