Frequently Asked Questions
May I change my registration distance: 50 to 100 or 100 to 50?
YES. The last time you may change the distance for which you registered is at packet pickup. You must make the change before you receive your race number.
If you have registered for the 100 mile race and decide that you want to do the 50 mile course, you may do so before getting your packet, but you will NOT receive a refund.
If you registered for the 50 mile race and decide that you want to do the 100 miles, you again may do so. In this case you will be charged the difference between 100 mile last day registration of $200 and the amount that you paid for the 50 mile distance.
The “name and bib number” list to be used at morning roll call will be printed out at the end of packet pickup. No race changes will be made on race day or during the race.
See also the FAQ:
May I switch from 100 to 50 miles when part way through the race?
May I switch from 100 to 50 miles when part way through the race?
NO. The two races are independent even though they overlap in many areas: e.g. headquarters; Friday activities such as packet pickup and the pasta dinner; start time; and the first part of the course. The two courses coincide to the first time through the Pine Run Grist Mill Aid Station. At this point the 50 mile course breaks from the orange loop and goes back to the Mohican Wilderness Campgrounds via roads.
The 50 and 100 mile race have different colored bibs with distinct sets of numbers: 1 through 199 for the 100 mile race with 500 through 599 for the 50 mile race. The 50 mile runners will receive their medals when they cross the finish line at the Mohican Wilderness Campgrounds. The 100 mile finishers will receive their buckles at an award ceremony on Sunday morning.
Decision not to allow switching from the 100 to the 50 mile race mid-race is to avoid confusing aid station help and the communications volunteers who are tracking the runners for their safety.
However a runner who registers for the 100 mile race may DNF at any aid station and will still get credit for any miles over 50 as has been the practice for many years. The runner who DNFs after 50 miles should return to headquarters to pick up the medal award.
See also the FAQ:
May I change my registration distance: 50 to 100 or 100 to 50?
UltraRunning lists the race in Glenmont, not Loudonville as previously. Why?
We always refer to Loudonville as the location of the Mohican race because that is the city closest to the area. Loudonville appears on Ohio state maps. Glenmont is a small village with a post office and a few other places. While it shows on county maps and some regional maps as a small circle, it does not appear on many other maps. The headquarters of the Mohican race is at Mohican Wilderness Campgrounds, which is in the Glenmont postal district. This has been the same headquarters, start/finish location from the inception of the Mohican 100 mile race in 1990.
What happened to the blue loop?
The purple loop has replaced the blue loop. Other than the color designation, that loop is still there in all its magnificent beauty and still contains the spectacular difficult climb up the tree roots near Lyons Falls. This loop will be marked with Purple plastic plates instead of Blue plates.
Are there any training runs for the race?
While the Mohican race does not offer any official training runs, many runners train on various parts of the course frequently. Runners often use the Mohican 100 yahoo group email to indicate their plans to run on various days – usually Saturdays and/or Sundays. They give their planned distance, location, meeting time and place. Others join them for all or part of the planned run. Sometimes water and other aid may be available. Some of those who list their training runs have finished Mohican multiple times. Others are still training for their first finish. It is a great idea to train with these runners.
If you are not a member of the Mohican Yahoo Group, you can join it from elsewhere on this website. You can also post the dates you would be available to train on the Mohican trails. Probability is high that someone familiar with the trails will be happy to run with you.
How is the course marked? Do I have to be concerned about getting off course?
Many runners have commented that Mohican is one of the best marked courses (“the best” according to some). The course is divided into various loops: Yellow, Green, Orange, Purple, Red, and White. Not all of them are closed loops. See the course description document on this website for more info about these loops.
Some of the permanent carsonite trail posts have Mohican 100 markers about 10 inches below hiking or horse trail markers at the top of the posts. The Mohican marker is a 3” x 3” reflective white square with a black triangle, the words “MOHICAN TRAIL” in green above the triangle, three green trees on the triangle and the words “100 MILE RUN”. Just above the Mohican 100 marker is a colored, according to loop, reflective arrow indicating trail direction: straight ahead or turn.
The trail marking crew spends several days prior to the race to add lime arrows on the ground along the course. They also place plastic plates matching the color of the loops at critical points along the trail. These plates have arrows on them indicating the direction of the course. Some of the arrows are reflective.
The trail marking crew checks on the course throughout the race adding/replacing markings as necessary.
You must pay attention to the course markings especially at night. It is possible to get off even the best marked course. Sleep deprivation can do strange things to runners causing them to hallucinate and/or to miss the course markings.
Do you have any recommendations for lodging?
See the Camping and Lodging document in the Race Information section of this website.
The most convenient place to stay if you are camping is at the Mohican Wilderness Campgrounds, the headquarters for the race which is also the start/finish location. Different types of camping arrangements and fees for each are listed in the document mentioned above.
Area motels frequently fill up rather rapidly, so you are advised to book lodging at those places as soon as possible.
Why is it a BAD idea to DNF at the Fire Tower Aid Station?
Most runners are familiar with highs and lows in a race and with the concept of “hitting the wall.”
Upon reaching the Fire Tower at 60.8 miles, you have completed 60% of the race and most probably have been running over 12 hours. At this stage you may be feeling exhausted, rotten, miserable, etc. – a real low - and all you want to do is to stop moving.
BAD IDEA! Consider that you have just run 4.3 miles from the South Park Aid Station climbing 710 feet while descending only 380 feet. You’ve just “hit the wall.” Eat a little, drink fluids and decide NOT to DNF at the Fire Tower but to just walk all the way to the Covered Bridge. Consider that distance is only 2.5 miles. Certainly you have enough energy to walk that far. Moreover, it is predominantly downhill with only 280 feet of ascent and a whopping 640 feet descent. Even better, after you’ve walked about two miles you will be at the new bridge. You may have barely noticed it the first time on that section when you were still fresh. This time stop at that bridge to admire its design and construction. Stand on it for a while. Think about the members of the Mohican Trails Club who spent much time and energy building this bridge. Think of the volunteers who helped them – including some of your fellow Mohican 100 mile runners. Enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. Breathe deeply. Then continue to walk to the Covered Bridge. There’s a great probability that you will have gotten your second wind by that time and will finish the race. If not, you can DNF there.
Of course if you are in true pain at the Fire Tower, e.g. a sprained ankle or other injury, you need to DNF there.
What type of weather should I expect during race weekend?
This is Ohio, mid-America. There is a saying here: “If you don’t like the weather, hang around a minute.” In June, you can expect almost anything except ice and snow. Part of the course is through shaded forest. Other parts are in the open sun. The forest trails can be shoe-sucking mud, baked mud hard as a rock, or just soft enough to pamper your feet. Some years have been sweltering with temperatures close to 100 degrees and very humid. Other years have been very pleasant in the 70s with a cool breeze. There have been thunderstorms, cooling drizzle, extremely strong winds, or stagnant air. Night may stay warm in the high 60s or drop down into the 30s. People who have gotten wet during the day have suffered from hypothermia at night. Bring all types of clothing with you: change of shirts, socks and shoes; jackets, rain gear. When you see the weather forecast for the race days, you can decide what to wear throughout the race. However, be somewhat cynical about any forecast that you hear – it may change in a few hours. Have something warm at the finish line, especially if you plan on finishing before the sun warms the air. When you stop running you can chill rapidly.
Family and crew also should have a variety of clothing available. Some family members were so cold one year that they bought sweaters at a local store.
You can learn more about the weather in some of the previous years by reading the articles on this website about previous Mohican races.
What is the distance between the aid stations?
See the Course Elevation Chart in useful information of the Race Information section of this website.
Which airports are close to Loudonville / Mohican area?
There are three major airports within 100 miles of Loudonville and the Mohican area.
CLE - Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is in a south west suburb of Cleveland which is north of Loudonville. It is very close to highway I71 which is a good route south towards Loudonville, exiting at the Ashland exit.
CMH - Port Columbus International Airport is south of Loudonville. It is very close to I270 which can be taken to I71 north towards Loudonville, exiting at highway 97 and traveling east to highway 3.
CAK - Akron Canton Regional Airport is north east of Loudonville. It is close to a major highway 30 which can be taken west to Wooster. Highway 3 can be picked up in Wooster and taken south into Loudonville.
For more detailed directions to the start / finish of the race see Driving Directions under Race Information.
Where is the start/finish of the Mohican race located?
The start/finish for the Mohican race is at Mohican Wilderness Campground off SR-3 at 22463 Wally Road about 10 miles south of Loudonville. Loudonville is in mid-Ohio about 20 miles east of highway I-71. It is located in a narrow triangle with vertices at Cleveland, Columbus, and Akron/Canton. See the Driving Directions document elsewhere on the website.
What awards are given at the Mohican race?
Every person who finishes the full 100 miles within the 30 hour time limit receives the 100 mile buckle.
Those who register for and finish the 50 mile race receive a medal. The same medal is also presented to those who DNF the 100 mile race after completing at least 50 miles.
Runners receive the 1000 mile ten time finisher award upon ten completions of the Mohican 100 mile race.
The last person who finishes the 100 mile race within the 30 hour time limit receives a special “Last of the Mohicans” award. While the award itself varies from year to year, the theme references Indians, forest animals, eagles, etc.
Those are the standard awards. Some years other awards are presented to runners in various categories, e.g. age groups.
What are the Mohican 100 mile records?
The overall and age group records for both men and women along with a list of those who have earned the 1000 mile 10 time finisher buckle are listed in "Race Records" under "Race Information" on this website.
Do I need a flashlight, headlamp, etc.?
If you are running the 100 miles, you definitely need a light source: flashlight, headlamp, etc. The forest trails have no lights. Even if you are out of the forest before night arrives, there are very few lighted areas on the roads back to the finish line. Be prepared with extra light source and batteries. You can have these in drop bags.
If you have entered the 50 mile race, remember the race takes place during the summer solstice, the longest days of the year. The race starts at 5:00 AM. It will still be dark then but soon get lighter. You might want to carry a cheap flashlight that you can abandon at the first aid station after the sun comes up. You should be back at the campground by 8:00 PM well before dark falls. However, if you intend to stay around and walk in the area, e.g. to your campsite, a flashlight, etc. will make that easier. If you’ve done a lot of running in limited light, you may be able to omit your own light and just follow the lights of the other runners at the beginning of the race until the sun comes up.
Why has the course changed this year? I like the old course.
Which old course do you like? The original consisting of two identical loops with the 50 mile mark at the campground? The one containing that frustrating section where you were within yards of the Hickory Ridge Aid Station but on which you had to run another mile before you reached that station? The one where you ran along the road in order to reach the Grist Mill Aid Station?
The course has been changed over a dozen times since the inception of the race. The Mohican Forest, Park, and surrounding areas are dynamic. New trails are built. Old trails are closed for various reasons. Bridges are destroyed or built. The trail master adjusts the trail to accommodate all these changes. The difficulty of the course remains relatively constant.
What Type of Shoes Should I Wear
The Mohican Trail 100 Run course includes sections of pavement, dirt road, and single track trail. The trail can range from muddy to dusty to rocky to rooted. As a result, you will see experienced runners wearing shoes ranging from light weight training shoes to hardcore trail shoes. Many people will take several pair of shoes and put them in drop bags to wear on different sections of the course. Other people might wear the same shoes throughout the entire race. The most common approach is to take 3 pair of shoes and wear a regular training shoe for the first third of the race until you go through the river, then change into trail shoes for the second third of the race at the covered bridge, then change back into regular training shoes for the final third of the race at the covered bridge.
Of course, weather plays a huge factor from year to year so the same runner may opt for a different shoe strategy from one year to the next. Obviously, the biggest factor in determine your shoe strategy is to figure out what works best for you. Questions like "what type of shoe is best for the Mohican Trail 100 Mile Run" will likely generate as many different answers as there are readers of your question.