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Hocking Hills Trail Run

50K, 20 Mile, 10 Mile, 5 Mile or 5K!

September 12, 2026
50K | 20M | 10M | 5M | 5K
Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, Ohio

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Welcome to the 49th Annual Hocking Hills Trail Run!

Experience Ohio's most popular state park - Hocking Hills - by running the trails with five race distance options between 5K and 50K!
 

Hocking Hills Trail Run logo

Experience the wonder of the Hocking Hills State Park

Beginning next to the Naturalist Cabin located just off of the Old Man's Cave parking lot (Visitor's Center) in Hocking Hills State Park, the Hocking Hills Trail Run winds through vast woodlands and brings runners through a land that tells a story as deep as time.  Using the trails of both Hocking Hills State Park and Hocking State Forest, the course will navigate stream crossings, deep gorges, and lush forested paths, with challenging elevation changes throughout. The updated courses now feature nearly all trail running with minimal road running sections, and will let runners experience the three main areas of Hocking Hills; Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave.  The Hocking Hills Trail Run combines the legacy of it's long history dating back to 1978 into today's most popular state park in Ohio! 

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Race Details

Permits:  This event is held in accordance with special use permits from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Parks and Watercraft Division for Hocking Hills State Park, as well as ODNR Division of Forestry for the Hocking State Forest.  Please be considerate of the land and other users to ensure the future of the Hocking Hills Trail Run.

Dates:  Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location:  Hocking Hills State Park
Distance:  50K, 20 Mile, 10 Mile, 5 Mile, and 5K

*See note on distances on the course section below about distance accuracy*

Race Day Schedules: 

Saturday

7:00AM:  50K Start

8:00AM:  20 Mile Start

8:30 AM: 10 Mile Start

9:00AM:  5 Mile Start

9:30AM:  5K Start

3:00PM: Course Close/Cutoff Time

Cutoff Information:

The course cutoff for the Hocking Hills Trail Run will be 3:00PM (8 Hours for the 50K distance).  Please view the aid station charts in the course information section to see a detailed chart of these cutoff times.   

 

Please note that the cutoff times are when aid stations will pull you from the course.  Please respect the organizer's decision of cutoff times and understand these times when entering the Hocking Hills Trail Run. If you arrive at an aid station after the cutoff times you will be told to stop the race, and will be transported back to the finish line.

Packet Pick-Up

We encourage everyone to pick up their packet on Friday, so your race morning will go smoother!  

Friday Packet Pick-Up:

COMING SOON!

Saturday Morning Packet Pick-Up

6:00AM - start time of each race

Location:

Start/Finish Area at the

Hocking Hills State Park Visitor Center

19988 OH-664 Scenic

Logan, OH 43138

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Race Start/Finish Location

 

Directions:  Address for directions to the race start/finish area:

Hocking Hills State Park Visitor Center

19988 OH-664 Scenic

Logan, OH 43138

Race-Day Parking

 

The main parking lot at the Hocking Hill State Park Visitor Center Parking Lot will hold 400 vehicles.  This will take care of the majority of the race parking.

Once this lot is filled we will direct runners to the Overflow Parking Lot located at the Hocking Hills Elementary (19197 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138), which is just 1.8 mile from the race.  There will be a shuttle running to and from the overflow lot during the day.

 

SEOTR recommends a couple of ways to make parking less crowded and easier to navigate for you on race morning.

  • Carpool with friends or family who also plan to be at the Hocking Hills Trail Run.

  • If you are camping Hocking Hills State Park campground, consider walking to the start/finish area!

 

Below is a picture of the parking lot at the Hocking Hills Visitors Center in relation to where the start/finish is so that you can come prepared to tackle the day.

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Crew and Spectator Guide

 

We're working on creating a crew and spectator guide that will be here when available.  This guide may not be ready until the weeks leading up to the race, but it will be shared with all participants as well as linked here when it's finished.

Guide Will Be Here When Available
On-Site Camping and Area Lodging
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See all the great lodging options in Hocking Hills by visiting the Hocking Hills Tourism Association website:
https://www.explorehockinghills.com/ 
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Registration and Pricing

Registration Open Date: February 1, 2026

Online Registration Close Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026

*In person and race day registration will be available during the Friday and Saturday packet pick-up times.

  • There will be no Paper or Mail-In Registration.

  • There will be in-person and race-day registration at the packet pick-up times listed above in the "Packet Pick-Up" section.

  • There is a 750 Entrant Capacity that may or may not be reached.

Cost:

**Check out our SPECIAL "Early-Bird" race pricing for the first month!**

  • 50K:  $55.00 after opening (Early-Bird!), $65.00 after February 28, $75.00 after July 31, $85 in-person

  • 20M:  $50.00 after opening (Early-Bird!), $60.00 after February 28, $70.00 after July 31, $80 in-person  

  • 10M:  $45.00 after opening (Early-Bird!),​ $55.00 after February 28, $65.00 after July 31, $75 in-person

  • 5M:  $30.00 after opening (Early-Bird!), ​$40.00 after February 28, $50.00 after July 31, $55 in-person

  • 5K:  $25.00 after opening (Early-Bird!), ​$35.00 after February 28, $40.00 after July 31, $45 in-person

*Ultra Signup now shows their "All-In Price" that includes all taxes and fee before checking out.  The above prices reflect the "Base Price" prior to all taxes and fees.  You'll see that "All-In Price" on UltraSignup before registering.  You can read more on UltraSignup's All-In Pricing policy by CLICKING HERE. 

Walkers are welcome to register for the Hocking Hills Trail Run!  The 5K and 5 Mile distances are perfect for those that wish to walk, and the 10 Mile is also able to be completed by walkers, but please take note of the course cut-off times so that you're aware of the times the course will be open as well as the aid station cut-off times listed on the aid station charts.

Capacity and Waitlist

The capacity for the Hocking Hills Trail Run is 750 total participants combined across all race distances - if we reach the capacity registration will be closed, but a waitlist will be opened to sign up for until the registration close date. 

 

As runners withdraw from the race leading up to the event, the next person on the waitlist will be notified and will have the opportunity to move onto the entry list.  The next person invited into the race from the waitlist will coincide with what race the person withdrawing was in. (ex. someone from 50K withdraws, so someone on the waitlist for the 50K is invited in).  

 

How the waitlist process works:

  • Waitlist opens if the event capacity is reached.

  • Anyone can register to be on the waitlist free of charge.

  • If a spot comes open the next person on the waitlist will be sent an invitation to accept their spot.

    • this invitation will come in the form of an automate email from UltraSignup.​

  • If a runner is sent this invitation they will have the ability to "accept" or "decline" the spot.

  • Runners are only charged the entry fee if they "accept" the invitation.

Participant Swag and Other Perks

 

Entrant Shirts:

Each entrant will receive a Hocking Hills Trail Run t-shirt!

 

Finishers Award: 

Every finisher (all distances) will receive a special hand-made pottery medallion made by students from local Logan School District!  The finisher awards will be available to runners as soon as they cross the finish line.  

Post-Race Food:  

After finishing we'll have a tent with food and refreshments for all participants to enjoy as we cheer all the other runners to their finish!

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Overall and Age Group Awards

  • The top 3 male and female finishers of each race distance will receive overall awards.​​

  • The top male and female finishers in these age categories will receive an award: 14 and younger, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-80, 80 and older

    • Some age groups may not have any participants in that category. We'll do out best at providing all awards on race day.  However, if we don't have an award available we'll mail it out after the event has ended.  ​

Overall and Age Group awards will be presented soon after the winners cross the finish line.  We will announce the winners or runners may visit the awards tables after finishing to check. 

Hocking Hills Trail Run Courses
-toggle to each distance in upper left
-downloadable GPX files via the right side menu 
   
Special Note on Course Distance Accuracy

 

As with most trail races of longer distances, the advertised distances are usually not perfectly exact as with certified road races.  These courses are not certified and sanctioned for record purposes. Course designs are limited to the available trails, layout of the land, and several other variables.  For full transparency, below are the truest distances that we have available based on all our our mapping tools compared to the advertised distances.  We try to be as close to the advertised distance as possible, and if not, we prefer to be a bit longer than shorter.

  • 50K - 31.20 Miles

  • 20M - 20.80 Miles

  • 10M - 10.40 Miles

  • 5M - 5.04 Miles

  • 5K - 3.18 Miles   ​

Course Description

All races will start from the same location in a gravel/grass lot behind the Hocking Hills State Park Visitors Center at the Old Man's Cave area.  Immediately after starting runners will cross the A-Frame bridge that spans the spectacular gorge above Old Man's Cave.  After turning left on the Gorge Overlook Trail runners will begin the main 10 Mile loop in a clock-wise direction for the rest of the course, and pass through some of the most popular areas of Hocking Hills State Park: Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, and the Fire Tower.  While the course does not fully drop into the deepest gorges of Hocking Hills (due to safety, crowdedness, and trail capacity reasons), the course will still boast several impressive climbs that add up to about 1300 feet of elevation gain per 10 Mile loop. 

 

In 2025 the courses were completed redesigned to remove the majority of road sections of the past years.  Now every Hocking Hills Trail Run distance option will be 95% trail surface!  The 5 Mile and 5K is nearly 100% trail surface, and the 10 Mile loop will have just six-tenth of a mile in total of pavement running.  This change has been a welcome sight by trail running lovers, but also provides gentle and smooth surfaces that is perfect for road runners or new-to-trail runners!            

Please see the interactive course maps above, where you can slide your cursor along the elevation profile and see your location on the map.  You can toggle through each distance in the drop down menu in the upper left-hand corner of the map.  You also have several options on the right-hand menu, including the ability to download a GPX file of the course.

Aid Station Charts

Coming Soon!

Cutoff Details

​The overall cutoff for the course is 3:00PM, or 8 hours after the start of the 50K distance. 

The 3:00PM cutoff time will also apply to all the other distances, of which times will vary based on their start times.  The below times represent the total time runners have to complete each distance.  Since this is a loop course, the aid stations will remain open for the 50K race, where all other races will overlap on.  Exact cutoff times per aid station location will be listed on the aid station charts.  

50K:  8:00

20M:  7:00

10M:  6:30​

5M:  6:00

5K:  5:30

 

Please note that the cutoff times are when aid stations will pull you from the course.  Please respect the organizer's decision of cutoff times and understand these times when entering the Hocking Hills Trail Run. If you arrive at an aid station after a cutoff time you will be told to stop the race, and will be transported back to the finish line.

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Results

Hocking Hills Trail Run Course Records

We'll put historical course records here once compiled.

Photos

Once we have photo albums they'll be placed here.

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Sponsors and Partners

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Withdraw and Refund Policies​​

Waiver Form:  To participate in the Hocking Hills Trail Run you are required to complete and sign all waivers.  If under the age of 18 yrs old, a parent or guardian must sign waiver form.

Refund/Rollover Policy:

Like most events of this nature and because items for the event are purchased months in advance of the race, the Hocking Hills Trail Run cannot provide full refunds close to the race date, but we follow a refund and rollover schedule that will help give a little back to those who need to withdraw from the race.  Our "Refund/Rollover Window" is as follows:

  • 45 or more days before the race = 100% refund or rollover

  • 20-44 days before the race = 50% refund or rollover

  • 0-19 days before the race = 0% refund or rollover

*Is it inside 20 days and you'd still like to receive a refund or rollover?  If you are unable to run the race, but are still able to come and be a volunteer, we will issue you a refund or rollover even if it is under 20 days to the race date.  Sign up as a volunteer at our Volunteer Platform and drop a note to the Race Director that you would like to count your volunteer credit toward a refund or rollover for this year's race.

To request a refund/rollover:  You must have an UltraSignup account to request your refund/rollover.  If you registered as a "guest" please email the race director and we will need to manually process your refund/rollover.  Follow these steps:

  1. Log in to Ultrasignup.com

  2. Go into your account info and click "Registration History."

  3. Click "edit" next to the race you wish to withdraw from.

  4. After this scroll to the bottom of the page and click the red "Cancel Registration" button.

  5. Once you select cancel registration a box will appear giving you an option to receiving either a Refund or Rollover.

  6. Click "Process."

Please note that in some cases a bank will not accept a refund back onto a credit card if the original purchase was made over 90 days ago; in that case the race director will be notified and will send your refund via a check through the mail.

Further Rollover Policy: 

  • Inside 20 days before the event we will not process any refunds or accept any rollovers.

  • Once your entry has been "rolled over" to next year's event you will be removed to the current year's race, then receive an invite into the next year's event via email once that registration has opened. 

  • Your Rollover credit is only valid for the next year's event and cannot be applied to other events or other runners.

Bib Transfer Policy:  SEOTR does not allow transfer of bibs at any of our races and strictly prohibits runners selling their bibs to other runners, wearing someone else's bib, or recreating a look-a-like.  This is considered "Banditing" and it will get you banned to all future SEOTR events.

Distance Switch Policy: 

Participants may switch distances 1 week or more prior to the race date.  You are able to switch distances by editing your entry on your UltraSignup "Registration History.  Notes on distance switches:

  • If you move down in distance you will not receive a refund for the price difference.

  • If you move up in distance you will be prompted on UltraSignup to pay the price difference.

  • You may also switch distances during the in-person packet pickups at the event.  Please notify the check-in staff that you would like to do this so we can adjust your entry and bib number.   

 

Cancellation Policy:  The Hocking Hills Trail Run will take place rain or shine unless conditions become unsafe, ODNR revokes our permit, or there is any other unforeseeable event that warrants unsafe conditions.  The Race Director will have the authority to make changes in order to best meet the group’s interests and the safety of participants, volunteers and spectators in case of extreme weather or other unforeseeable events. The Race Director will determine if and when the event shall be postponed, resumed, or canceled.  The "Refund/Rollover Policy" listed above is implemented in the case of a cancellation.

Race Rules and Policies

Rules that May Get you Banned from future SEOTR Races:

  1. Runners must be officially registered for the race to start and complete the marked course.  NO BANDITS

  2. Runners must not sell their bib or wear someone else's bib.

  3. Runners must not alter or remove course markings in any way.

  4. Runners are expected to use good sportsmanship with all other runners, race volunteers, as well as the general public who may be using the trails, and must not use aggression, verbal or physical, at any time.

  5. Purposefully cutting, or not running the full course in any manner is strictly prohibited.

More Rules

  1. A waiver must be signed/initialed before registering during the online registration process.

  2.  Dogs on leashes ARE ALLOWED at HHTR!  Please note that dogs are allowed with their runner on a leash at HHTR.  Make special notice that this is a special rule for this race only, and most other SEOTR Event races do no allow dogs.  

  3. Runners must complete the entire run on foot and under their own power.

    1. ​Runners must follow the entire marked course.  If the runner gets off course they must go back to the last point along the course by foot and resume the correct route.

    2. Runners may not cut switchbacks.

  4. DO NOT LITTER.  This isn't a road race.  When you eat a gel, or have a cup of water at an aid station, plan to use the trash can at aid stations, or stash your trash in your pocket or pack.  If you see trash along the trail please stop and pick it up.  We want to leave the trail as good as we found it! 

  5. Be Kind to other participants and volunteers.  This goes without saying, but as a trail running community, we take pride in treating our fellow runners like close friends!  Be courteous and helpful to everyone!

  6. Crew/Pacing Rules

    1. ​Pacers Are Not Allowed at the Hocking Hills Trail Run

    2. Please do not have any friend or family without a bib run with you. While this is a public park and open to the public it is forbidden to have a “pacer” during the event. If we find someone running with you without a bib you will be DQ’d.

    3. Runners may have crew at select aid station (please see aid station chart in the course section).

    4. Crews may not administer aid outside of "crew accessible" aid stations and runners may not store supplies or food of any kind along the course except at designated drop bag locations.

    5. Aid station food and supply is for runners only, and crew may not use the aid stations for themselves.

    6. Runners are responsible for their crews behavior and understand crew must follow the race rules as well, and obey all aid station rules.

  7. Trekking poles Are Allowed

  8. Please wear your bib visible and on the front of your body.

  9. You MUST enter every aid station.  We record bibs at every station to track runners. 

  10. If you drop out (DNF) of the race at any point you must either inform the aid station captain or make your way back to the finish area and inform our timing officials.

  11. If you start a race in one distance and decide to finish a different distance course, YOU MUST ALERT THE HEAD TIMER of your distance switch.  We will list you in the results for the distance you switched to, as long as you completed the full course (ex. you started in the 50K but stopped after two loops), but you'll be ineligible to qualify for category awards.

  12. Cut-off's are strictly enforced.  Come into the race knowing the cut-off times and be a good sport if you are told to stop because of a missed cut-off.  If a runner crosses the finish line after a race cut-off you will not be listed as an official finisher.  Runners must check in and out of each aid station.

  13. You may wear headphones but please either keep one earbud out or keep the volume low enough to hear others.  Do not listen to music audibly on speakers to where others can hear.  Many runners want to enjoy the quietness of the forest.​​​

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American Trail Running Association affiliated.

Events owned by SEOTR Events follow the American Trail Running Association Event Standards.  By following the ATRA Event Standards it means SEOTR Events follow the standards outlined HERE.  We strive to ensure that each event is safe, has an accurately measured and marked course, provides timely results and awards, abides by entry limits, has obtained the necessary permits and insurance, is environmentally friendly to the land, and provides accurate event details on any website, email, social media, or print location.

©COPYRIGHT SEOTR EVENTS 2026. MANAGED AND OWNED BY OWEN RUNNING, LLC.

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