Dirt Days Trail Series - East Fork SP Trail Run
About this race
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 PageGPS 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
Pick your distance
Trail running
5.6 Mile
Single Lap
10.8 Mile
This is a two lap race. All runners start at 9am. If you think that you will need more than 2.5 hours to complete the course, please consider the one-loop option or the Trekker option. You will not be able to begin a 2nd lap past 10:15 am.
Running
5.6 MileTrekker
We have added a "Trekker" category for those who would like to participate but need extra time to finish or just want to start early.
10.8 Mile Trekker
We have added a "Trekker" category for those who would like to participate but need extra time to finish or just want to start early. 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!
Typical race-day weather
Based on 12 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Bethel, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 6:32 AM and sets at 8:53 PM local time (EDT) in Bethel on July 26, 2026 — 14h 21m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
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2026 results — Dirt Days Trail Series - East Fork SP Trail Run
118 finishers across 4 distances · leading places in the 5.6 Mile
| Place | Name | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Will Stratford | 36:12 | 6:28 /mi |
| 2 | Ricky Harm | 36:56 | 6:36 /mi |
| 3 | Sam Krabacher | 37:41 | 6:44 /mi |
| 4 | Evan Weselmann | 39:46 | 7:06 /mi |
| 5 | Will Shoemaker | 40:20 | 7:12 /mi |
Every finisher is on the results page, filterable by distance, gender and age group.
All results by year
Other races near Bethel
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Topo Trail Marathon Races
Gem of the Highlands 5K
Sprints Wicked Fast Dead Last 5k
Gourdy's Pumpkin Run: Cincinnati
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 4 Bethel events
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