Oak Openings Stampede

Come on out and race on the wooded trails at the Oak Openings Metropark. Two race distances to choose from, 25K and 5K. All races utilize the beautiful trails at Oak Openings Metropark that pass through hardwood and pine forests, open prairie, and along stream sides.  All races start and finish at the Buehner Center next to Mallard Lake in the center of the park.

The 25K has been awarded the RRCA Ohio State 25K Championship.

The Oak Openings Stampede is one of four events in the Toledo Roadrunners Club Trail Series presented in partnership with Metroparks of Toledo and sponsored by Second Sole. Other races in the series are Marsh Madness 10K at Howard Marsh Metropark on June 20th, Towpath Trail Half Marathon and 10K at Providence Metropark on July 19th and Falling Leaves 5K and 8-miler at Secor Metropark on October 25th. Registration for these events are also available on RunSignUp.

If you are a current Toledo Roadrunners member, you will receive a $5.00 discount on the entry price of any of the Trail Series races. If you sign up for all four races at once, you will receive a $2.00 discount on each entry regardless of TRRC membership. You will also be awarded a nice Trail Race Series giveaway at the end of the series.

Our race will work to eliminate disposable cup waste from our aid stations by using Hydrapak reusable cups. Runners will receive a Hydrapak cup at packet pickup.  We will still offer disposable cups at our aid stations, but we hope that runners will use their Hydrapak cups, carry a handheld water bottle, or wear a hydration vest.  If you wish to purchase more Hydrapak products, go to www.HydraPak.com .

The free collapsible cups are provided by HydraPak, our Sustainable Racing Partner. As part of your entry to this event, HydraPak is also offering a 20% discount on all of their products at HydraPak.com. The 20% discount code will be made available to registered runners by email prior to the event.

Proceeds from the events support SewHope, a Toledo-based not-for-profit organization that provides health, education, and community development support to the poor in northern Guatemala.

You can also donate directly to SewHope and/or the Toledo Metroparks when you register here.

Guaranteed T-shirt deadline 8/30/2026.

PACKET PICK-UP:

Early: Saturday September 12th from 3 - 5:00 p.m. at Second Sole Running Store in Levis Commons Shopping Center (3201 Levis Commons Rd, Perrysburg, OH) Race Day: At the Buehner Center, 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

Watch out for those exposed roots! Speaking of trail conditions, now would be a good time to remind everyone of some basic trail etiquette:

Horses: EVERYONE yields to horses.  While there are only a few short sections where the yellow trail and the horse trail overlap it is still important to be aware of them. My guess is you won’t be able to miss them if you encounter one or two. Bikes: Are supposed to yield to Walkers/Runners.  This is a big concern between mile 7 and 9 where the trail is shared between bikes and pedestrians. Runners: Walkers yield to runners.  If you have to walk, step off to the side to allow runners to pass.  Watch out for poison ivy, yikes! Headphones/Music: It is a good idea to be able to hear someone approaching from behind you, so consider a lower volume or going without them. Litter: Don’t do it. Pack everything out with you or leave with an aid station volunteer. No exceptions.

Below are some important things you should note about the event: 1. RACE DAY PICKUP/LATE REGISTRATION:

Early: Saturday September 12th from 3 - 5:00 p.m. at Second Sole Running Store in Levis Commons Shopping Center (3201 Levis Commons Rd, Perrysburg, OH) Race Day: At the Buehner Center, 7:30 am -8:45 am. No cash accepted.

2. RACE START TIMES: Race Day is Sunday Sept 13th. All events start and finish at the Buehner Center alongside Mallard Lake. Both events will be chip timed. 25K - 9:00 a.m. 5K - 9:15 a.m.

3. COURSE MARKINGS: 5k - white surveyor flags. 25k pink surveyor flags.  The 25k is also on the yellow trail so you’ll see yellow blazes on the trees.  If you’ve gone a few minutes without seeing a pink flag or yellow blaze you’re probably off course, turn around.

4. CUT-OFF TIMES AND DROPPING OUT: We don’t have an official cut-off time but most people should be able to finish by 12:30 p.m.  I’ll stick around until everyone is in.  If you need to drop out of a race, make sure you tell a responsible person (race director, aid station worker) before going home so we know you're not lost. If you drop out, stop at an aid station and a driver will pick you up and bring you back to the Buehner Center.

5. PARKING: There will be limited parking at the Buehner Center. Please car-pool if possible. If the Buehner Center lot is full, there is additional parking at the Oak Openings lodge about 1/4 mile east on the Oak Openings Parkway. Do not park on the side of the roadways; you may get a ticket.

6. AID STATIONS : For the 25K, aid stations will be located on the scout trail loop at approximately 2.0, 4.9, 8.2, 10.7, 13.5.  The aid stations will have water, sports drinks and Honey Stinger Gels. For the 5K, there will be one aid station at about 1.5 miles and stocked with water only.  To conserve cups, consider carrying a hand-held bottle or hydration pack. You can refill those at the stations directly from the jugs.

7. POST-RACE FOOD: Will be inside the Buehner Center. The facility allows alcoholic beverages. So BYOB if you’re so inclined.

8. LODGING: There is a Day's Inn adjacent to the Toledo airport on Airport Highway. It’s within 5 miles of the Oak Openings park and about one mile from the I-80/I-90 Turnpike exit 52. You can also tent camp at the Oak Openings White Oak campground (about 1/2 mile from the race start) or stay in the Caretakers Cottage (next to the start). Go to the park's camping page to sign up (http://metroparkstoledo.com/outdoor-adventures/camping/).

9. AWARDS: Awards for overall, female/male for the 5K and 25K.  Additionally, age group awards will be in 10 year increments and 3 places deep.