4 events in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Live music, fantastic trails, biergarten, and beautiful evening in the park!

🌟 Flusslauf Trail Run & Hike is here. Don your dirndl and let's hit the trails. 🏃‍♂️🌲

Date: FRIDAY, September 4, 2026 (see timeline below)

Location: Hemlock Creek Picnic Area, Bedford Reservation, 1480 Button Road, Walton Hills OH 44146.

How big is the river crossing?

About 20 inches and only up to you knees!

🏞️ About Flusslauf: Willkommen to Flusslauf! While the more appropriate name would be Flussüberquerung, we folks from the States might struggle there. The Flusslauf Experience is an exciting adventure at our 7-mile (or 11-kilometer) run, ruck, or hike through the trees and roots of Bedford Reservation. Take on the trails with your fellow runners, conquer the river crossing (yes, you WILL get wet twice), and finish with a well-deserved beverage in our Biergarten after the run.

7 Mile Route: Digital Map

Race Day Timeline:

• 4:30 PM - Registration and Packet Pick Up Opens (Hemlock Creek Picnic Area)

• 6:00 PM - 7 Mile begins

• 6:30 PM - 1 Mile begins

• 6:30 PM - Biergarten opens

• Celebration and awards to follow

• 10:00 PM - Event closes

Participant Perks:

• Custom hat

• Finisher medal

• Live music from our German Band!

• Bierglas as a memento of your Flusslauf experience.

• Chip Timed Race

• Overall and Age Group Awards with some added prize categories

• Post-race brat (meat & veggie options)

• Post-race refreshments

Fest Entry ticket:

• Live music from our German Band!

• 1 Bier Ticket & Bierglas

Supporting a Good Cause: A portion of the proceeds from Flusslauf will benefit Bike Cleveland, an organization dedicated to promoting the joy of moving with your own legs. By participating, you're not just challenging yourself but also contributing to a shared love for a healthier and more sustainable community.

Come challenge yourself, connect with nature, and support a meaningful cause. Lace up your running shoes, gather your friends, and join us for an unforgettable day at Flusslauf!

Save the date, and let the adventure begin! #FlusslaufAdventure #TrailRunHike #BikeCleveland

Show your support for Moreland Hills parks by joining us on October 4th in the heart of the Chagrin River valley for Head for the Hills 2026!

Moreland Hills is home to many of the area’s 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’s cabin and birth site, 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 Commission’s mission is to support preservation, improvements, and enjoyment of our local parks for all. Proceeds from last year’s Head For The Hills! event helped to provide new signage at Forest Ridge and procure materials for resurfacing and improving the park’s trails. This year the Commission hopes to begin supporting the Village as it works toward replacing and repairing the park’s picnic tables at the Lang Pavilion, installing new benches along the trail network and implementing various other improvements in the park. These initiatives will impact the thousands of community members who visit the park each year.

We are proud of our scenic, challenging and competitive 5K through the valley! But you don’t have to be a runner to enjoy this event. Experience the trails of Forest Ridge Preserve on our 1.5 mile self-guided hike or naturalist-guided hike — bring the whole family!

All participants in the 5K and hike will receive a custom Head for the Hills tote bag, as well as chances for other prizes.” 5K competitors have a chance to win overall and age group prizes. Enjoy coffee and breakfast from Stevie Bean mobile food and coffee truck. 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

8:15 am Coffee and breakfast available from Stevie Bean!

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 $25.00 (Kids 6-15: $15.00)

1.5 Mile Hike $25.00 (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 2, 2026

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

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!" canvas tote bag!

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 (recently resurfaced for a smooth running experience!). 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. Or you can join local educators / naturalists for a guided group experience to learn about the Forest Ridge natural ecosystem. Both options will be available for you to choose at the start of the event.

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.

Knights, ruckers, and trail champions — prepare to take to the trails once again for the 2026 Conquer the Castle Trail Race at North Chagrin Reservation in Cleveland, Ohio!

Join us on Saturday, November 7, 2026, for a day of epic trail racing through the stunning fall colors of the Cleveland Metroparks. Whether you’re running, hiking, or rucking, there’s a challenge for every adventurer.

Choose from multiple distances, from the 5K, 10 Mile, and 20 Mile, to the endurance-testing 50K and 100K ultramarathons, plus ruck options for those ready to test their strength and stamina.

Experience one of Ohio’s premier fall trail races, where every climb, creek crossing, and castle challenge brings you closer to conquering the course — and earning your place among the legends. ⚔️🍂

Registration Includes

• Custom unisex race shirt included for all participants or upgrade to a hoodie!

• Custom Finisher Medal

• Race Bib

• Chip Timed Run

• Stocked aid stations

• Post-race snacks

• Awards: Top 3 Female & Male finishers for 100K, 50K, 20 Mile (morning & afternoon), 20 Mile Ruck, 10 Mile, 10 Mile Ruck, & 5K

100K Finishers will receive a belt buckle

• Be Knighted (this is for the 100K, 50K, 20 Mile (morning & afternoon), 20 Mile Ruck, 10 Mile, & 10 Mile Ruck)

Schedule

Friday, November 6th

• 4-6:30 PM | Early Packet pick-up | 2nd Sole, 18636 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107

Saturday, November 7th | Forest Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation

• 4:00 AM | Early send off for 100k and 50k runners*

• 4:00 AM | Packet pick up (Will be open throughout the day)

• 5:00 AM | 100k starts

• 6:00 AM | 50k starts

• 7:00 AM | 20 Mile & 20 Mile Ruck starts

• 8:00 AM | 10 Mile & 10 Mile Ruck starts

• 9:00 AM | 5k starts

• 1:00 PM | 20 Mile afternoon start

• 3:00 PM | 10 Mile afternoon start

• 6:00 PM | must start last loop for 100k

• 9:00 PM | race closes/timing crew packs up.

*Starting in the 4:00 AM Early Send Off voids you from Age Group and Overall Awards, but not the race or listing in results.

**Awards for Age Groups and Overall will be handed out throughout the day.

Participants who start a loop (loops) after 3:00 PM must have a headlamp or another source of light to help guide them on the trail.

Important race locations

• Start/Finish | Forest Picnic Area

• Event parking | AB Williams Memorial Woods & North Chagrin Nature Center

• 5 Mile Aid Station | Squire's Castle Shelter

Review the Refund Policy & and Bib Transfer policies