Night Owl Trail Races
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Night Owl Trail Marathon, Half, and 10K (January 10, 2026)
The Night Owl Trail event is held at Caesar Creek State Park near Waynesville, OH (4020 N Clarksville Rd). It offers three distances:
- Marathon
- Half Marathon
- 10K
The race is organized by Empower Ultras. Registration closes January 5, 2026. Night Owl is offered twice a year; the summer edition is scheduled for June 13, 2026. The event is a cupless race, so participants must carry a collapsible cup for aid stations. Finishers receive glow-in-the-dark owl medals and all registrants receive event swag. Awards and prize money are offered for top finishers in both genders. The race is Trail Sisters approved and includes women-specific swag, menstrual products at aid stations, and Athletes With Disability divisions.
Course, aid, gear, and policies
The course is mostly single-track trail around Caesar Creek Lake, combining a perimeter loop and nearby red/green trails. Trails are heavily wooded with rolling hills and a section of repeated rollers; some short stretches use the road shoulder on North Clarksville and Route 73 with a short railing crossing back onto trail. Four aid stations are on course:
- Wellman Meadow: water and Tailwind; 10K turnaround.
- Fifty Springs: fully stocked with water, Tailwind, and typical ultra food.
- Day Lodge: water, Tailwind, limited nutrition.
- Start/Finish: fully stocked with water, Tailwind, snacks, wraps, and warm food including vegan options.
Mandatory gear includes a headlamp with spare batteries, a water bottle or bladder, a collapsible cup, and a fully charged cell phone. Additional recommended items include a mylar blanket, insulated jacket, hat, gloves, and handwarmers in cold or wet conditions. There are no refunds; a deferral policy applies with partial deferrals based on how far in advance participants request them. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.