Pawpaw 4 Mile

The 9th Annual Pawpaw 4 Miler and 1 mile fun run/walk will take place in conjunction with the 27th Annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival that takes place every September at Lake Snowden in Albany, Ohio -- the race will be Sunday of the festival, September 14, and start at 9:00am.

The Pawpaw 4 Miler is a classic cross country style race run on a mixture of grass, trails, and gravel surfaces, with potential for a few more fun obstacles along the route! Whether you are in it to run fast, or to simply enjoy the scenic Southeastern Ohio park, this race will be a great event for all levels, including a 1 mile fun run/walk for children, families, or those who just want to take it easy.

This low-key event may be capped off with a cold pawpaw popsicle, but over the years it's also been a fun competitive venture once the race starts! You'll have a professionally timed and set up race without all the frills of some major road races. We encourage you to come for the entire weekend and visit the Ohio Pawpaw Festival, before running the race on Sunday morning. This weekend is all about the pawpaws!

ADD TO YOUR WEEKEND AT THE OHIO PAWPAW FESTIVAL AND RUN THE PAWPAW

4 MILER

Basic Details

Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025

Location: Lake Snowden

Start Time: 4 Mile at 9:00 am & 1 Mile shortly after

Distance: 4 miles and 1 mile fun run/walk

Parking: at the Ohio Pawpaw Festival, Lake Snowden

Registration

Registration will open: January 1, 2025.

Registration Fee:

4 Mile Distance: $22.05* until 7/31. $27.31* after 7/31 and on race day.
1 Mile Fun Run/Walk: $11.52* until 7/31. $16.78* after 7/31 and on race day.

*NEW ALL IN PRICING FROM ULTRA SIGNUP: Starting July 1st, 2024 UltraSignup implemented an "All-In" Pricing structure that is visible before checking out. These prices now include all the registration taxes and fees that were previously only shown at the checkout page. This new structure was implemented by UltraSignup without the Race Directors control, so the prices shown above reflect a higher price than what we previously listed due to UltraSignup's recent policy change. You can read about UltraSignup's new pricing and fee regulations HERE.

Online registration will close the Friday before the race @ 11:59pm.

In-Person registration will be at Ohio Valley Running Company Saturday before the race, 3:00-6:00pm. We can accept cash, checks, or cards.

Race-Day registration will be at Lake Snowden where the race starts starting at 7:00 am.

Early Bib and T-Shirt Pickup will be at Ohio Valley Running Company (20 Station St. Athens, Ohio) Saturday from 3:00-6:00pm.

*Please do not go into OVRC prior to this time period asking for your bib and shirt.

T-Shirts are optional this year

We know the Pawpaw 4 Mile Shirts are cool! But, we've had runners who don't want another race shirt, so, this year we're going to allow those that want a shirt to add it to their registration when they check out. If you initially don't select a shirt when you sign up, you can always add it later before race day by clicking on the "Store" tab when checking out.

*we will have some extra t-shirts ordered for sale at the race.

**below is the 2024 Pawpaw 4 Mile shirt design for purchase.

What You Get

*starting in 2021 we started making t-shirts optional, and are not part of the registration fee (we've lowered the registration cost for this reason!). You can add a t-shirt when checking out, and you may also add a shirt later by clicking the "store" tab on UltraSignup.

Discount into the Ohio Pawpaw Festival
Professionally timed results.
A well-marked and awesome course design!
A pawpaw popsicle to all runners once completing the race!
Award for "Fastest Pawpaw" for top overall Male and Female in the 4 Mile!

All participants will receive $5 off a day pass and $10 off a weekend pass to the Ohio Pawpaw Festival.

To use discount at the Ohio Pawpaw Festival on Friday evening or Saturday day, for the weekend pass or day pass, you can mention "Pawpaw 4 Mile Race" and show the ticket attendee's when entering the Pawpaw Festival gates your email confirmation from the race for your discount.
To use discount at the Ohio Pawpaw Festival on Sunday after the race, show the ticket attendee's when entering the Pawpaw Festival gates your race bib-number and tell them you ran the Pawpaw 4 Mile Race.
The 4 Miler will be held outside of the gates and you do not need to attend the festival to run the race!

This is largely a no-frill, low-key event so there will be no awards except for the top Male and Female "Pawpaw finisher" in the 4 Mile Race. Be free to run your heart-out & compete-hard --- we'll have bibs, times/results, and when you finish you'll get a big high-five and a popsicle! Oh, and I bet there will be a pawpaw along the way somewhere!

Register for the race and get $5 off a ticket to the Ohio Pawpaw Festival!

you do not need to enter the Pawpaw Festival to run the Pawpaw Race

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CAN YOU BEAT THE RUNNING PAWPAW?

Course Map

toggle to each distance in upper left
downloadable GPX files via the right side menu
click the orange button below to see the course on Strava

The 4 mile course will feature a mixture of grass, dirt surfaces, as well as the trails that are on the Lake Snowden property. To race is a true cross country style race with short hills, uneven footing, and potential for a big dteam crossing! The course is for not just for experienced runners though, as it can easily be completed by beginners as well!

The 1 mile fun run/walk course is perfectly suitable for children, families that wish to participate together, or those who may want a relaxing stroll along Lake Snowden.

4 Mile Course on Strava