Buckeye Ultra 200 Mile Road Race

Ashtabula, Ohio. Walnut Beach, Lake Erie. The Buckeye Ultra 200 Mile Road Race returns on Thursday, August 13, 2026, starting at 7:00 AM. Choose the 203‑mile out‑and‑back from Walnut Beach to Wellsville (Ohio‑West Virginia border) or the 100‑mile option (Friday, August 14, 7:00 AM start at Wellsville Nicholson Stadium, finishing at Walnut Beach). Scenery: mountain foothills, post‑steel industry cities, Amish country, and lakefront streets. Just under 6,000 ft total climb. 6‑day time limit for 203 miles (approx 34 miles/day). No official aid stations — self‑supported or crewed. Runners must self‑extract if they drop. $20 of every entry goes to Wellsville high school athletic department. Finishers receive a large Buckeye 200 buckle and unique award. Course record bonus: $100 + free future entries.

Location — Walnut Beach, Ashtabula, Ohio (Lake Erie):

• Walnut Beach is a Lake Erie beach in Ashtabula, Ohio (northeastern Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border)
• Start/finish on the beach — unique for an ultra road race
• The course follows Ohio Route 45 south through Ashtabula, Austinburg, Warren, Salem, Lisbon, and Wellsville
• Wellsville is on the Ohio River, just across the West Virginia border

Course — 203 Miles, Out‑and‑Back on Ohio Route 45:

• Approximately 203 miles total (out 101.5 miles, back 101.5 miles)
• Just under 6,000 ft total elevation climb — mostly rolling hills, with about 70 miles of true hills and long flat segments
• Course map available on MapMyRun (2025 route linked — final 2026 route similar)
• Minor changes may be made, but vast majority of miles on Ohio Route 45
• Runners will experience mountain foothills (Appalachian Plateau), post‑steel industry cities (Youngstown area), Amish country (eastern Ohio), and lakefront streets (Ashtabula)

100 Mile Option — Point‑to‑Point, Friday Start:

• Friday, August 14, 7:00 AM start at Wellsville Nicholson Stadium
• Finish at Walnut Beach (same as 200 mile finish)
• 72‑hour cutoff
• Runners are REQUIRED to have their own transportation to the start (no shuttle provided)

Self‑Supported or Crewed — No Official Aid Stations:

• This is an open road challenge with no official aid stations
• Runners are dependent upon themselves or crew to obtain supplies (food, water, gear, medical)
• Crews are encouraged due to limited resource availability on some portions of the course overnight, but not required (many have run self‑supported)
• Stores, diners, and shops are plentiful between 6 AM and 9‑10 PM along the route
• Hotels along the course: Austinburg, Warren, Salem, Lisbon (some within walking distance of the course)
• If you drop, you must self‑extract (transportation back to your vehicle may involve a long wait — this is a no‑frills event on a budget)

What's Included:

• Large Buckeye 200 buckle (203‑mile finishers)
• Unique finisher's award (other items — not specified)
• $20 of every entry goes to Wellsville high school athletic department (supports local youth)
• No aid stations, no medals for 100‑mile? Not specified — check event website
• Timing: manual or chip? Not specified — likely manual (no‑frills event)

Prerequisites — Experienced Ultra Runners Only:

• Should be experienced ultra runners, preferably with long‑distance experience in open road running
• Many runners have completed other multi‑day open road running challenges (e.g., Vol State, Heart of the South, etc.)
• This is not an event for beginners

Refund Policy — No Refunds, Deferrals, or Transfers:

• THERE ARE NO REFUNDS, DEFERRALS, OR TRANSFERS.
• Registration is final.

500 Lifetime Miles Award — "Rodeo Large" Buckle:

• Those who complete 500 official miles on the Buckeye course receive the 500 Lifetime Miles award
• "Rodeo large" buckle — you'll be proud to display it
• As of 2025, 5 people have earned this award: Henry Lupton, Kyle Dudley, Ronald Ross, Justin Daniels, and Tim Hardy
• Only official finishes count (prior to 2023, there was no 100‑mile drop‑down for 200‑mile runners who did not complete the full distance)

Course Record — $100 + Free Future Entries:

• Men's record: Alex Ramsey — 53:56:59 (2023)
• Women's record: Aneta Zeppetella — 58:08:36 (2022) — NOTE: in results, Aneta's time appears under men's list? Check source — the women's record holder is likely Aneta Zeppetella
• Any male or female runner who breaks the respective course record earns $100 and free entry to all future Buckeye challenges

Logistics:

• Parking at Walnut Beach (arrive early — limited spaces)
• No public transport — drive or carpool
• Bib pickup: race morning at Walnut Beach (check event website for exact times)
• No dogs allowed (open road race on public roads — safety)
• Strollers not permitted
• Runners must obey all traffic laws — roads are open to traffic

Nearby Attractions (post‑race — Lake Erie):

• Walnut Beach — swim, picnic, walk the beach
• Ashtabula Harbor — historic bridge, shops, restaurants, and the Ashtabula Maritime Museum
• Lake Erie Wine Country — many wineries within driving distance
• Geneva‑on‑the‑Lake — historic resort community with bars, arcades, and a boardwalk (10 minutes west)

Contact: Event organizer via UltraSignup.