The Blue Blaze Festival is a celebration of the trail, whether you are a Trail Runner, Hiker or would like to learn more about backpacking you are welcome to be a part of our celebration of the Buckeye Trail. Join us for the 2024 Buckeye Trail (BT) Blue Blaze Festival and explore the diversity and beauty of the outdoors. This year we will be joining forces with Destination Shawnee, the Ohio Environmental Council and outdoor recreational organizations to bring together runners, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to the Village of Shawnee. This section of the Buckeye Trail, in the Wayne National Forest, is mostly single-track trail and provides some very challenging terrain. The Blue Blaze Festival will be highlighting the BT as an outdoor destination for running, hiking and backpacking, plus all of the excitement happening in the historic Village of Shawnee.
Running Events - Half Marathon, 10K and 5K
The Half Marathon and 10K runs will use the Buckeye Trail with an out and back course. There will be mile markers and directional signs on the course. There will be several aid stations with water and Gatorade, and volunteers at all road crossings. The Half Marathon and 10K Run will start at 9:00AM, followed by the 5K at 9:15AM. The 10K and Half Marathon courses are out and back on the Buckeye Trail. Most of the course is on single-track trail, with some challenging and hilly conditions, and there are some sections on roads. The half marathon has over 1,000 feet of elevation change. The 5K course will be the same looped course introduced in 2021, and will include the Woodthrush connector trail near Tecumseh Lake.
All participants will received an event t-shirt. Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers in each of the three running events. The overall and age group results will be posted online. Age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over.
All running events will be chip timed.
After returning to Shawnee, participants can enjoy post race food and there are options to purchase food from local merchants.
Hiking the BT
The 10-Mile Hike will start and finish in Shawnee with hikers following the Blue Blazes of the Buckeye Trail and a road section that will connect to the BT to offer a looped hike experience. The 2023 Hike was designed by the Little Cities of the Forest Chapter of the BTA. A guide to historical sites will be provided to participants.
Backpacking Course
The Backpacking course is a Friday-Saturday introduction to backpacking and will be covering sections of the Buckeye Trail. This course is being planned and coordinated by Appalachian Understories and Tecumseh Theater. This event will start and finish in Shawnee.
Backpacking Schedule
Meet at Tecumseh Theatre, on Friday at 11:00am, for the backpack shakedown and group discussion. Following the brief orientation you will hit the Buckeye Trail, with a planned departure in early afternoon. Saturday, the backpackers will return to Shawnee in the early afternoon.
Participants will learn all necessary skills to complete a backpacking trip, and will leave empowered to hit the trail again soon. This is a good first backpacking trip for people with hiking experiences or a regular fitness routine. It is also a fun time for people with backpack experiences to share the love of the trail with others.. Group size will be limited to 10 participants.
