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Toledo Roadrunners Club is a premier and nationally recognized road running club in northwest Ohio. Each year they run a trail running series that travels to several Toledo Metroparks. Most of the "trail" races are on dirt or gravel paths. Northwest Ohio is a notoriously flat region, so they are not technical runs. I ran this race as my first 5K trail race a few years ago and placed first in my age division, 10th overall, my highest place ever. The 5k route was about half on true trails and half on a paved bike/hike trail. It was strange to swap ground feel like this, but allowed my pace to increase in the second half. The race field is small, especially compared to the road races in the area each fall. I have ran the 25K, as well. It's one loop of the Oak Openings Hiking Trail, a well maintained and easy trail around the perimeter of the park.
Northwest Ohio being relatively flat works as a pro and con for this race. It's a great starter trail race, since there is very little elevation change. The trail gets a little technical with tree roots in multiple spots. Relatively soft ground through evergreen forests. A few slopes to practice hill legs. Good mix of shaded forests and open, sunny miles along prairies. A really beautiful look into the historic landscape of the Great Black Swamp.
No pacers allowed for any distance of the race, but there are aid stations around. Because this is run by a roadrunners club, it is not typical trail race aid stations. There was water, gatorade, and a few snack foods like fruit and pretzels. Definitely would recommend bringing your own fuel if you're picky.
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