Head For The Hills!
- Date Sat 3rd October 2026
- Time 9:00AM EDT
- Location Moreland Hills, Ohio
- Price $32.80
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Join us for the exhilarating Head For The Hills event on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in the picturesque Moreland Hills, Cuyahoga. This annual celebration of community and nature invites participants to explore the stunning Chagrin River valley while supporting the Moreland Hills Parks Commission. Choose between a competitive 5K run or a scenic 1.5-mile self-guided hike through the breathtaking trails of the 142-acre Forest Ridge Preserve. The 5K kicks off at 9:00 AM, offering a chance to win prizes for overall and age group winners, while the hike promises a relaxing experience for the whole family.
As you enjoy the beautiful fall scenery, kids can engage in fun activities and crafts, making it a perfect day out for everyone. Registration fees and donations directly benefit local parks and fund essential improvements, ensuring a brighter future for these treasured green spaces. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and your community while making a positive impact. Be sure to register before September 15 to secure your commemorative Head For The Hills shirt!
As you enjoy the beautiful fall scenery, kids can engage in fun activities and crafts, making it a perfect day out for everyone. Registration fees and donations directly benefit local parks and fund essential improvements, ensuring a brighter future for these treasured green spaces. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and your community while making a positive impact. Be sure to register before September 15 to secure your commemorative Head For The Hills shirt!
Organiser's Description
Show your support for Moreland Hills parks by joining us on October 3rd in the heart of the Chagrin River valley for Head For The Hills 2026!
Moreland Hills is home to many of the areas most prized and pristine green spaces. These include the beautiful 142-acre Forest Ridge Preserve and the Lang Pavilion (where this event will take place), sections of Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation, U.S. President James A. Garfield birth site park and cabin, and more. Registration fees and all donations benefit the non-profit Moreland Hills Parks Commission. This annual event provides the Parks Commission with its primary source of funds.
The Parks Commissions mission is to support preservation, improvements, and enjoyment of our local parks for all. Proceeds from last years Head For The Hills event helped to provide materials for resurfacing and improving the Forest Ridge trails, installing new benches along the trail network, and implementing various other improvements in the park. Funds from this years event will continue these efforts as well as supporting repair of picnic tables, landscaping improvements at Moreland Hills Veterans Park and much more. These initiatives will impact the hundreds of community members who visit our parks each year.
We are proud of our scenic, challenging and competitive 5K through the valley! But you dont have to be a runner to enjoy this event. Experience the trails of Forest Ridge Preserve on our 1.5 mile self-guided hike bring the whole family!
Participants in the 5K and hike will receive a commemorative Head For The Hills shirt (only for those registered by September 15th!!!). 5K competitors have a chance to win overall and age group prizes. And for everyone, there will be free kids activities, crafts and more.
NovaCare Rehabilitation will provide on-site care to help participants perform their best and recover quickly and safely. This includes pre-event warm ups and taping to prevent injuries, as well as post-race recovery treatments. They can also help assess aches, pains and acute injuries.
Come experience the beauty of the Chagrin River valley while supporting a great local cause at Head For The Hills 2026!
START TIMES
8:00 am Runner/Hiker registration and packet pickup
8:45 am CHAGRIN RIVER ROAD CLOSES
9:00 am 5K Run starts
9:00 am 1.5 mile hike start
9:00 am Kids activities start
10:00 am 5K awards announcement
TIMING SYSTEM
5K run MyLaps BibTag Chip timed
REGISTRATION
5K run $30.00 (Kids 6-15: $15.00)
1.5 Mile Hike $30.00 (Kids ages 6-15: $15.00)
All others No registration required (donations appreciated)
Any kids age 5 and under are free to participate (giveaway not included)
EARLY PACKET PICKUP
4:00-6:30 pm
Friday, October 3, 2025
Fleet Feet
30679 Pinetree Blvd.
Pepper Pike, OH 44124
AWARDS
5K Run only
Top Overall Male & Female winners - $75 Fleet Feet gift cards. 2nd Overall Male & Female - $50 Fleet Feet gift cards 3rd Overall Male & Female - $25 Fleet Feet Gift Cards
Plus, awards to top 3 Male and Female finishers in each age group:
14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over
RUN/HIKE REGISTRANTS RECEIVE
Commemorative "Head For The Hills!" Shirt!
Snacks and refreshments post-race
Chances for various other giveaways
Massage and stretching provided by NovaCare Rehabilitation
RUN/HIKE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
5K RUN
Challenge yourself on this scenic out and back course along beautiful Chagrin River Road. Gently rolling hills, lovely homes and early fall colors welcome competitive racers and anyone seeking an enjoyable workout regardless of pace.
1.5-MILE HIKE
Traverses hills, ravines, and streams through the beautifully wooded and diverse trails in Forest Ridge Preserve. You can make the hike a self-guided experience at your own pace.
FAMILY AND SOCIAL EVENTS
Head For The Hills! Is about getting more people out to experience our fantastic parks. Bring the whole family and enjoy kids activities and crafts, and more. Or just hang out in the beautiful Lang Pavilion enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and meeting your Moreland Hills neighbors!
Start Time: 9:00am EDT
Price: Free to all (donations are appreciated)
MORE INFORMATION
Call Hermes Sports & Events at (216) 623-9933
*Sorry, dogs are not allowed at this race.
Moreland Hills is home to many of the areas most prized and pristine green spaces. These include the beautiful 142-acre Forest Ridge Preserve and the Lang Pavilion (where this event will take place), sections of Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation, U.S. President James A. Garfield birth site park and cabin, and more. Registration fees and all donations benefit the non-profit Moreland Hills Parks Commission. This annual event provides the Parks Commission with its primary source of funds.
The Parks Commissions mission is to support preservation, improvements, and enjoyment of our local parks for all. Proceeds from last years Head For The Hills event helped to provide materials for resurfacing and improving the Forest Ridge trails, installing new benches along the trail network, and implementing various other improvements in the park. Funds from this years event will continue these efforts as well as supporting repair of picnic tables, landscaping improvements at Moreland Hills Veterans Park and much more. These initiatives will impact the hundreds of community members who visit our parks each year.
We are proud of our scenic, challenging and competitive 5K through the valley! But you dont have to be a runner to enjoy this event. Experience the trails of Forest Ridge Preserve on our 1.5 mile self-guided hike bring the whole family!
Participants in the 5K and hike will receive a commemorative Head For The Hills shirt (only for those registered by September 15th!!!). 5K competitors have a chance to win overall and age group prizes. And for everyone, there will be free kids activities, crafts and more.
NovaCare Rehabilitation will provide on-site care to help participants perform their best and recover quickly and safely. This includes pre-event warm ups and taping to prevent injuries, as well as post-race recovery treatments. They can also help assess aches, pains and acute injuries.
Come experience the beauty of the Chagrin River valley while supporting a great local cause at Head For The Hills 2026!
START TIMES
8:00 am Runner/Hiker registration and packet pickup
8:45 am CHAGRIN RIVER ROAD CLOSES
9:00 am 5K Run starts
9:00 am 1.5 mile hike start
9:00 am Kids activities start
10:00 am 5K awards announcement
TIMING SYSTEM
5K run MyLaps BibTag Chip timed
REGISTRATION
5K run $30.00 (Kids 6-15: $15.00)
1.5 Mile Hike $30.00 (Kids ages 6-15: $15.00)
All others No registration required (donations appreciated)
Any kids age 5 and under are free to participate (giveaway not included)
EARLY PACKET PICKUP
4:00-6:30 pm
Friday, October 3, 2025
Fleet Feet
30679 Pinetree Blvd.
Pepper Pike, OH 44124
AWARDS
5K Run only
Top Overall Male & Female winners - $75 Fleet Feet gift cards. 2nd Overall Male & Female - $50 Fleet Feet gift cards 3rd Overall Male & Female - $25 Fleet Feet Gift Cards
Plus, awards to top 3 Male and Female finishers in each age group:
14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over
RUN/HIKE REGISTRANTS RECEIVE
Commemorative "Head For The Hills!" Shirt!
Snacks and refreshments post-race
Chances for various other giveaways
Massage and stretching provided by NovaCare Rehabilitation
RUN/HIKE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
5K RUN
Challenge yourself on this scenic out and back course along beautiful Chagrin River Road. Gently rolling hills, lovely homes and early fall colors welcome competitive racers and anyone seeking an enjoyable workout regardless of pace.
1.5-MILE HIKE
Traverses hills, ravines, and streams through the beautifully wooded and diverse trails in Forest Ridge Preserve. You can make the hike a self-guided experience at your own pace.
FAMILY AND SOCIAL EVENTS
Head For The Hills! Is about getting more people out to experience our fantastic parks. Bring the whole family and enjoy kids activities and crafts, and more. Or just hang out in the beautiful Lang Pavilion enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and meeting your Moreland Hills neighbors!
Start Time: 9:00am EDT
Price: Free to all (donations are appreciated)
MORE INFORMATION
Call Hermes Sports & Events at (216) 623-9933
*Sorry, dogs are not allowed at this race.
Races
-
5K Run
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 3rd October 2026 (9:00AM EDT)
$32.80
OPENS 01 JUNA simple out and back course on scenic Chagrin River road, starting and finishing at Forest Ridge Preserve. Enjoy small rolling hills through beautiful Fall colors. -
1.5 Mile Hike
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 3rd October 2026 (9:00AM EDT)
$32.80
OPENS 01 JUNGet to know the beautifully wooded and diverse trails of Forest Ridge Preserve, traversing hills, ravines and streams.
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Forest Ridge Preserve, 3800 Chagrin River Road, Moreland Hills, 44022, OH, United States
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