Dirt Days Trail Series - East Fork SP Trail Run

Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT

Location: 3294 Elklick, Bethel, OH 45106
Type: Trail race

Finish signup on the organizer site (check fees and dates there).

Race feel

A densely wooded trail run at East Fork State Park, offering a unique reversing course and a 'Trekker' option for extra time.

Fun
Scenic
Competitive
Quirky

Experience the East Fork SP Trail Run, a beloved event in the Dirt Days Trail Series, set within the beautiful East Fork Lake State Park. Runners will navigate a densely wooded 5.4 or 10.8-mile course on the well-established Backpack Trail, offering a feel reminiscent of the Appalachian Trail. This event features a unique course direction that reverses annually and includes a special "Trekker" category for those who prefer an earlier start and more time on the trails.

What to expect

Past race snapshot

What the field usually feels like

A plain-English read from past public results. It is helpful context, not a prediction.

Result sample12 finishers

Past years for other

Crowd

Small field

7 other finishers in 2025. A quieter race where the pack may spread out more quickly.

Typical finish

1:17:13

Think middle-of-the-pack, using chip time when available.

Competitive feel

Relaxed front

Past results suggest the front of the field is less intense than many races. Front-group read: 1:02:22.

People mix

More men

About 29% women and 71% men among finishers who listed gender.

Quick read

For the other in 2025, this looks like a small field: 7 finishers are represented here. A middle-of-the-pack finish was around 1:17:13. The quicker front of the field averaged about 1:02:22. Use it as a feel check, not a promise about race day.

Award clues

Historic placement clues only. Race-day awards can use different rules.

Overall observed placement

Top 3 (from finish order in our sample)

1:12:01historic line

Show the year-by-year numbers

Distance	Year	Finishers	Typical	Average	Front 10%	Fastest M / W
other	2025	7	1:17:13	1:25:44	1:02:22	1:02:22 / 1:17:13
other	2023	5	2:14:11	2:01:50	1:07:21	2:14:11 / 1:07:21

Last summary update: May 2, 2026

From the organizer

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: