Burr Oak doesn't sit at the end of a tourist strip. It's tucked into the Appalachian foothills of southeast Ohio, past small towns that time and traffic mostly skipped, with Wayne National Forest picking up where the park leaves off. Your phone may lose signal on the drive in. That's the point.

The Marathon is a single loop around Burr Oak Lake, starting and finishing at the lodge. Expect hemlock ravines, sandstone ledges, rocks, roots, creek crossings and a steady supply of hills. Much of the route follows the Buckeye Trail and the North Country Trail. The course is fully marked. It will test you, and the November leaves and lake views make it worth it.

The Half Marathon is a point-to-point on the same trails, starting at the marina and finishing at the lodge, with a shuttle back to your car. Hikers are welcome. The generous cutoff means you can take it at your own pace.

There are no crowds and no gift shops along the way. You get a lake, a long trail, a lot of woods, and a finish line at the lodge where you can stay the weekend.

Lodging

Getting there: Burr Oak is remote, and the last stretch is winding back roads. Download directions before you leave, and don't count on cell service. See our lodging page for places to stay at the lake and nearby.