East Fork 100 mi/100K/50K/15 mi
About the race
East Fork races are back for the fifth year in collaboration with our partner Tri State Running Company.
These are the only 100 mi and 100K races in the Southwest Ohio area. The course will travel counterclockwise on beautiful and challenging trails around the William H. Harsha Lake in East Fork State Park.
Throughout your journey you will experience some beautiful lake views, glorious single track trails, a waterfall in a beautiful pine forest area, an open field and some refreshing creek crossings.
Swag and awards
Register by April 1 to guarantee your high quality rabbit swag.
- All entrants receive high quality swag, including rabbit gear.
- All finishers receive high quality finisher awards made in Ohio.
- 100 mi finishers receive stunning belt buckles.
- Winners of 100 mi races (all genders, as well as AWD division winners) receive a free entry for next year.
Aid stations
- Main Aid Station, Start/Finish (Mile 0 / 33.7 / 67.4 / 101.1): crews allowed for 100mi and 100K runners.
- Unmanned water station, Clover Road Trail (Mile 3.0 / 36.7 / 70.4): water only, no crew access.
- Reisinger Boat Ramp (Mile 7.3 / 41 / 74.7): fully manned, turn around point for 15 mi runners, crew and pacer access, pit toilets.
- Twin Bridges (Mile 13.2 / 46.9 / 80.6): fully manned, crew access for 100K and 100mi runners on 2nd and 3rd loops only, limited parking, portalets available.
- East Fork Nature Center Shelter (Mile 20.4 / 54.1 / 87.8): fully manned, crew MUST PARK IN THE OVERFLOW PARKING BY THE CAMPGROUND ENTRANCE and walk to the aid station, no exceptions. Pacers allowed but must park at the overflow parking lot by the campground entrance or be dropped off. Drop bags, bathrooms close by. Hard cutoff: 4 pm for the last loop.
- Little Miami River (Mile 26.3 / 60 / 93.7): fully manned, right by the creek, crew access for 100K and 100mi runners on 2nd and 3rd loops only, limited parking, small drop bags allowed, portalets available.
- Unmanned water station, Mountain Bike South Trail Head (Mile 30.4 / 64.1 / 97.8): water only, no crew access.
Course map: Caltopo map and Gaia map.
Inclusion statement
Runners of all races, ethnicities, and gender identities are welcome at Empower Ultras events and races. We are a women-owned and immigrant-owned company, and inclusivity is very important to us. We encourage everyone, regardless of ability, age, body type, educational background, ethnicity, gender, gender expression or identity, nationality, political affiliation, race, religion, or any other demographic to participate in all our events.
We support diverse groups through our donations. We are proud to offer Athletes With Disability divisions in our races. We are constantly learning and we encourage input into our efforts to improve diversity at our events.
Packet pickup
Packet pickup will be at the start/finish area.
- Friday: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
- Saturday 9/12: 5:30 am to 7:30 am
Cupless race and mandatory gear
Our event is a cupless race. Carry your bottles or bladder with you at all times, and carry a reusable cup for other drinks at aid stations (Coke, Ginger Ale, etc). Cups will be provided for hot liquids. A limited number of reusable hard plastic cups will be at aid stations; these must stay at the aid station and will be cleaned and disinfected between uses.
September in Ohio can be very hot and humid. Please be mindful and hydrate, and carry enough liquids between aid stations.
Required gear
- Headlamp or waist light with spare batteries or battery pack
- Cell phone
- Container for at least 1 liter of liquid
- Emergency poncho or rain jacket
Recommended gear
- At least 250 extra calories (for emergencies)
- Salt or salt tabs
- First aid kit including blister care items, small bug spray, and sunscreen
- Spare pair of socks to change after creek crossings
- Ice hat or ice bandana for hot weather
Pacers
Pacers are allowed for 100 mi and 100K runners starting with the second loop. One pacer per runner at a time. Pacers need to sign a waiver.
The course
100 Miles
100K
50K
15 Miles
The course runs counterclockwise on trails around William H. Harsha Lake in East Fork State Park. The entire loop is 33-ish miles, so runners do three loops for the 100 miles, two for the 100K, and one for the 50K. The 15 mile course is an out and back on rolling trails to the first Manned AS and back. The course follows some mountain bike trails, hiking trails, a little park road and a fair amount of the Steve Newman Worldwalker Perimeter trail.
Cutoffs
100 mi
There is a 40 hour cutoff to complete the 100 mile race (11:30 PM on Sunday). We want you to succeed!
- First loop: 12 hours (7:30 pm on Saturday)
- Second loop: 13 hours (8:30 am on Sunday)
- Third loop: 15 hours (11:30 am on Sunday)
- Hard cutoff at the Nature Center Aid Station (87.8 mi, third loop): 35 hours (6:30 pm)
100K
There is a 40 hour cutoff to complete the 100K.
- First loop: 18 hours (1:30 am Sunday)
- Second loop: 22 hours (11:30 pm Sunday)
- Hard cutoff at the Nature Center Aid Station (54.1 mi): 35 hours (6 pm)
50K
There is a 40 hour cutoff to complete the 50K.
15 mi
There is a 12 hour cutoff to complete the 15 mile race (8 pm Saturday).
Cutoffs are for your safety, the safety of your volunteers, and to obey park rules and our permits. You must LEAVE the aid station before the cutoff. Please respect the cutoffs and listen to race officials and volunteers.
Location
Bethel, OH, USA Open in Google Maps
City insight: Bethel
Bethel is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, with 20,358 residents at the 2020 census. It is part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region. The climate is humid continental, with warm summers and cold winters, so spring and early autumn are the best seasons to race.
Know from the athletes
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