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Conquer the Castle race photo

Conquer the Castle

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

USNov 7, 2026100km · 50km · 5km
Nyttend · Public domain
Race date in 31 days
Nov 7, 2026 Sat
City · Distance
Mayfield · 100km · 50km · 5km
Entry fee
$95Varies by event and entry period
Status
OpenWed, April 1, 2026 ~ Sat, November 7, 2026See how to enter ↗
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 7, 2026
Conquer the Castle race photo
Nyttend · Public domain
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Conquer the Castle — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

This is a trail race held in 2026 at the North Chagrin Reservation in Cleveland, Ohio.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Conquer the Castle runner reviews and race reports

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 1
The Schedule / pointlenana
“There were fewer leaves in spots than last year, so it was easier to stay upright.”

At Conquer the Castle, memories of tripping over roots in a previous visit prompted caution on descents. This time, the runner finished in about 15 hours and received a handmade finisher medal.

Read the original on The Schedule / pointlenana

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Full recap

Daver in the Woods · Full recap

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Conquer the Castle — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

50k

Entry cost $95

until Nov 7, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

100K

Entry cost $120

until Nov 7, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

5K

Entry cost $40

5K (Morning) · until Nov 7, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

10 Mile (Morning)

Entry cost $70

until Nov 7, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page
About 10 Mile Ruck (Morning) - Includes Patch · 10 Mile (Afternoon)

10 Mile Ruck (Morning) - Includes Patch

Entry cost $75

until Nov 7, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

10 Mile (Afternoon)

Entry cost $65

until Nov 7, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Registration platform RunSignup

Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Conquer the Castle course map and elevation

The 100km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 06:00
EventStart
100K100km05:00
Ultra50km06:00
5K5km09:00
Other16.1km08:00
20 Mile32.2km07:00
START · FINISH

Forest Picnic Area, Mayfield, OH

Start · Google Maps

The event is divided into 9 categories, including 5K (Morning), 10 Mile (Morning), 10 Mile Ruck (Morning) - Includes Patch, and 10 Mile (Afternoon).

Start line is located at Forest Picnic Area, Mayfield, OH, and the start time is 6:00 AM local time.

Typical race-season temperature: around 5°C (41°F)
Long sleeves + a throwaway layer for the start

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Aid stations

Finisher medal

Event T-shirt

Where and when to collect your Conquer the Castle race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2025 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

The race is held at Concord Castle in Mayfield, and packet pickup details have not been published.

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

No public transit station nearby; nearest GCRTA (Cleveland RTA) routes do not serve North Chagrin Reservation directly.

Start/finish is at the Forest Picnic Area within North Chagrin Reservation (Cleveland Metroparks), Mayfield, Ohio.

Rural Cleveland Metroparks reservation with no direct public transit access — car only.

Race has staggered starts from 5:00 AM (100K) to 3:00 PM depending on distance, with a 9:00 PM close.

Getting to the finish

Same as start (Forest Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation)

Race finishes at the same Forest Picnic Area where it starts (looped ultra format).

Road closures

Parking: AB Williams Memorial Woods · North Chagrin Nature Center

More details

No organizer shuttle found/mentioned;

runners park at AB Williams Memorial Woods or North Chagrin Nature Center lots.

Stations & transport near the venue

The race takes place at a Cleveland Metroparks reservation (Squire's Castle area) in Mayfield,

which is a car-access, free-parking venue with no transit stop nearby.

If arriving via downtown Cleveland first, Greater Cleveland RTA uses the EZfare mobile app or reloadable EZfare card,

but it is not needed for the race site itself.

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

November temperatures average 5°C.

In Mayfield, wind is more of a factor than the cold.

A lightweight windbreaker will help retain body heat, and leave a change of dry clothes in your drop bag for after the finish.

The venue is in an area without public transportation.

Plan to travel by car or rental car.

Registration is handled through the RunSignup platform.

Ultras are decided by fueling and foot care, not speed.

Break in your shoes and socks thoroughly before race day, and if there are any nighttime sections, bring spare batteries for your headlamp.

The 06:00 start is early.

Working backward from your wake-up time, breakfast, and travel, it is more convenient to stay the night before near start line.

Registration closes on November 7, 2026.

Times are local to Mayfield. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels near the Conquer the Castle start line in Mayfield

Hotels that make race morning easy

6 places

Distances are straight-line from the start/finish area.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

The start and finish are in the same place
We picked stays around that one spot.

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Time for you, before and after the finish

5 experiences

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Cleveland｜Private airport pickup/drop-off service from Hopkins International Airport

$245

View on Klook

Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Game at Rocket Arena

$31

View on Klook
Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing Mayfield with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Distances and ratings for food and sights come from the place provider, and experiences are travel products in Mayfield.

Total cost and budget for Conquer the Castle

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · YesimFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Conquer the Castle

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Mayfield runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Conquer the Castle

FAQ
When does Conquer the Castle 2026 take place?

It takes place on Sat, November 7, 2026 in Mayfield, OH, United States.

How much is the Conquer the Castle 2026 entry fee?

The main event costs $95.

What distances does Conquer the Castle 2026 offer?

5K · Ultra.

What time does Conquer the Castle 2026 start?

The race starts at 06:00.

Where does Conquer the Castle 2026 start?

Forest Picnic Area, Mayfield, OH.

When does registration for Conquer the Castle 2026 open?

Registration runs from Wed, April 1, 2026 to Sat, November 7, 2026.

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