Best of the West
- Date Sat 19th September 2026
- Time 8:00AM EDT
- Location Ravenna, Ohio
- Price $44.80 - $92.95
- Races 3 races
- Distances Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km
Event summary
Get ready for an exciting day of outdoor adventure at the Best of the West event on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in beautiful Ravenna, Portage! This year marks the introduction of a brand new 10K race celebrating the recently designated Buckeye Trail section at West Branch State Park, which has been recognized as a state trail by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Runners will enjoy a scenic all-trail route that takes them from the beach to the dam and back, surrounded by the park's stunning mix of deciduous and coniferous forests.
For those seeking a greater challenge, the marathon course will navigate around the eastern end of the lake, crossing over the dam before looping back to the beach. Half marathon participants will enjoy a scenic route to the turnaround point before taking a shuttle back to the lively finish party at the beach. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a casual runner, the Best of the West promises a fantastic experience filled with nature, camaraderie, and celebration in one of Ohio’s most picturesque settings!
For those seeking a greater challenge, the marathon course will navigate around the eastern end of the lake, crossing over the dam before looping back to the beach. Half marathon participants will enjoy a scenic route to the turnaround point before taking a shuttle back to the lively finish party at the beach. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a casual runner, the Best of the West promises a fantastic experience filled with nature, camaraderie, and celebration in one of Ohio’s most picturesque settings!
Organiser's Description
NEW 10K FOR 2026!
WE WILL BE CELEBRATING THE NEW BUCKEYE TRAIL SECTION AT WEST BRANCH STATE PARK. THE BUCKEYE TRAIL HAS RECENTLY BEEN DESIGNATED A STATE TRAIL BY THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND IS ONLY THE THIRD TRAIL TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION. THIS NEW SECTION IS THE FIRST OF MORE TO COME!
WEST BRANCH STATE PARK IS PREDOMINANTLY FORESTED WITH A MIX OF DECIDUOUS AND CONIFEROUS TREES. THE FOREST IS PRIMARILY OAK-HICKORY AND PROVIDES HABITATS FOR A DIVERSE ARRAY OF WILDLIFE, INCLUDING DEER, FOXES, RACCOONS, SQUIRRELS, PHEASANT, AND SONGBIRDS. THE DENSE CANOPY PROVIDES SHADE AND COOL TEMPERATURES IN THE WARMER MONTHS MAKING IT PERFECT FOR HIKING AND RUNNING.
MARATHONERS WILL MAKE THEIR WAY AROUND THE EASTERN END OF THE LAKE CROSSING THE DAM AND THEN CONTINUING TO THE ENTRANCE TO THE CAMPGROUND BEFORE RETURNING BACK TO THE BEACH. HALF MARATHONERS WILL FINISH AT THE TURNAROUND AND TAKE A SHUTTLE BACK TO THE FINISH PARTY AT THE BEACH. 10K PARTICIPANTS WILL COMPLETE AN ALL-TRAIL ROUTE FROM THE BEACH TO THE DAM AND BACK.
WE WILL BE CELEBRATING THE NEW BUCKEYE TRAIL SECTION AT WEST BRANCH STATE PARK. THE BUCKEYE TRAIL HAS RECENTLY BEEN DESIGNATED A STATE TRAIL BY THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND IS ONLY THE THIRD TRAIL TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION. THIS NEW SECTION IS THE FIRST OF MORE TO COME!
WEST BRANCH STATE PARK IS PREDOMINANTLY FORESTED WITH A MIX OF DECIDUOUS AND CONIFEROUS TREES. THE FOREST IS PRIMARILY OAK-HICKORY AND PROVIDES HABITATS FOR A DIVERSE ARRAY OF WILDLIFE, INCLUDING DEER, FOXES, RACCOONS, SQUIRRELS, PHEASANT, AND SONGBIRDS. THE DENSE CANOPY PROVIDES SHADE AND COOL TEMPERATURES IN THE WARMER MONTHS MAKING IT PERFECT FOR HIKING AND RUNNING.
MARATHONERS WILL MAKE THEIR WAY AROUND THE EASTERN END OF THE LAKE CROSSING THE DAM AND THEN CONTINUING TO THE ENTRANCE TO THE CAMPGROUND BEFORE RETURNING BACK TO THE BEACH. HALF MARATHONERS WILL FINISH AT THE TURNAROUND AND TAKE A SHUTTLE BACK TO THE FINISH PARTY AT THE BEACH. 10K PARTICIPANTS WILL COMPLETE AN ALL-TRAIL ROUTE FROM THE BEACH TO THE DAM AND BACK.
Races
-
Best of the West Marathon
Incl. $7.95 Fee & Giveaway
Sat 19th September 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$92.95
-
Best of the West Half Marathon
Incl. $6.90 Fee & Giveaway
Sat 19th September 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$76.90
-
Best of the West 10k
Incl. $4.80 Fee & Giveaway
Sat 19th September 2026 (9:00AM EDT)
$44.80
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West Branch State Park Beach, Marina Drive, Ravenna, 44266, OH, United States
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