Sat, Jul 31, 2027

Burning River

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Opens Dec 1, 2026Annual since at least 2007

100 Miles50 MilesMarathon

About the Burning River

The course runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park and several metro parks, threading between Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Springs Park on trail. The terrain carries real elevation across the full distance, with the hundred-miler qualifying for the Western States lottery. Several distance options exist, including a relay that follows the same out-and-back route as the hundred.

The course maps are updated close to race day, so it is worth checking back before you head out. GPX files are available for those who want to load the route onto a device, and a participant guide includes aid station details and elevation profiles.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

26.2 Miles · 2025 results

253finishers

3:15:33winner

6:30:22median

12:55:09cutoff

Top 3: Nathaniel Orndorf (3:15:33) · Alysia Rogers (3:36:01) · Adrian Breaz (3:48:05)

50 Miles · 2025 results

225finishers

7:44:33winner

12:40:08median

17:09:28cutoff

Top 3: Alex Schachtel (7:44:33) · Justin Bean (8:02:54) · Edward Malyovany (8:14:49)

100 Miles · 2025 results

110finishers

16:30:21winner

28:28:15median

31:46:59cutoff

Top 3: Alec Cline (16:30:21) · John Dragon (16:49:25) · Matt Ramiller (18:16:32)

The Burning River has been held every year since at least 2007. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 26.2 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Sep 10, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

100 Miles7/31/2027 02:00$270

100 Miles7/31/2027 02:00Free

50 Miles7/31/2027 05:30$160

50 Miles7/31/2027 16:00$160

26.2 Miles7/31/2027 06:30$95

100 Miles7/31/2027 07:00$80

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Burning River

Will I finish last at the Burning River?

Almost certainly not. Half the 26.2 Miles field finished slower than 6:30:22, and the last recorded finisher came in around 12:55:09, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Burning River a good first 26.2 Miles?

A field of 253 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 26.2 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Burning River?

The 26.2 Miles winner ran 3:15:33 while the median finisher took 6:30:22. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.