Lace Up Your Sneakers and Run to Belmont County for Two Great Races

For the next two Saturdays runners or walkers will have the opportunity to participate in two great annual races in Belmont County.

This Saturday, during the 56th Annual Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, the 5K Run & Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Watt Center For History & The Arts (511 Watt Ave., Barnesville). The free Kids Pumpkin Run begins at 10 a.m. Voted the #1 Favorite Race in the Ohio Valley multiple times, this race offers a ton of pretty ceramic fired, pumpkin topped trophies, delicious food, and attractive t-shirts to participants. There are also many door prizes. Cost to signup at this point is $30. Registration begins at 6:45 a.m. Water stations are located along the race route which offers a challenging hill, but is paved. Proceeds from this race benefit Boy Scout Troop 71 and the Rails-to-Trails Project. For more information contact race director Carl Kondrach at carlkondrach@yahoo.com or visit https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/PumpkinFestival5kRunWalkandKidsRun.

Over 100 of these pumpkin topped trophies are awarded at the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival 5K Run and Walk. Photo courtesy Ron Pradetto Photography.

The following Saturday, Oct. 5, the 15th Annual Barkcamp Race takes place at beautiful Barkcamp State Park, 65330 Barkcamp Rd., Belmont. The race includes a 40-mile ultra trail run, full marathon trail run, half trail marathon run or walk and a 10 K and 20 K road run or walk. This popular but challenging race offers gender specific tie dyed tech shirts (early registration only), finisher medals, a full meal, free camping at Barkcamp State Park, and discounted hotel rates. Late registration is now taking place until October 4. The Ultra Marathon starts at 6 a.m. — headlamp or light required. The Full Marathon starts at 8 a.m — early start at 7 a.m. with no awards for the early birds. The Half Marathon starts at 8 a.m, and the 20K and 10 K start at 9 a.m. Check our this YouTube video of last year’s race. https://www.youtube.com/embed/aoEi8yjqs5Q?autoplay=1

For more information visit www.thebarkcamprace.net.

The 15th Annual Barkcamp Race takes place Oct. 5. Photo courtesy Ron Pradetto Photography.