Back Roads and Beaches 5K Run, Wine and Dine August 20

The Run!
The Back Roads and Beaches 5k Run, Wine and Dine is all set for Saturday, August 20 at 5pm. The race will begin and end at the Oberlin Inn which is located on the corner of Main and College Sts. right in the center of Oberlin. The course will run through the streets of Oberlin on much of the BRaB spur route.

The Party
Following the race participants, friends and the general public can enjoy live music by Kent-based band, The Speedbumps; great wine from Klingshirn Winery, Vermilion Valley Vineyards, Matus Winery and Paper Moon Vineyards. Delicious outdoor barbecue of local foods including burgers, veggie burgers, beef rib, avocado sandwiches, veggie shooters, roasted corn on the cob, desserts and more. Check out The Speedbumps here:



Click here to pre-register until August 19th. Cost is $20. Day-of registration begins at 3:30 pm and costs $25. Registration includes a tshirt (while supplies last) and one glass of wine, beer or soda at the after-party.

Check out the Visit Lorain County website for lodging options and make it a multi-sport weekend! Bring your bike and/or kayak. 

Sponsors of the BRaB 5K include Barnes Wendling CPAs, Wellington Implement, Fauver, Keyse-Waler & Donovan, Klingshirn Winery, LCCC Dining Services, Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA), Oberlin Underground Railroad Center, 5 Corners Bed and Breakfast and Vermilion Valley Vineyards.

Vermilion Harbor Triathlon this weekend

Team Back Roads and Beaches runner, Joanna Johnson completed last year's 10k run with a blazing time of 39.01. Team BRaB took first place in the Olympic Tri Team Relay

 This is the weekend for the Fourth Annual Vermilion Harbour Triathlon, taking place Saturday, August 13th and Sunday, August 14th. The Tri/Du is part of HFP Racing's Wheelie Fun series. For those familiar with the annual triathlon, please note that the bike course is slightly altered a bit this year due to construction on West River Rd. in Vermilion. For those of you who haven't

The main triathlon/duathlon will again take place on Sunday. Registration and packet pickup will take place Saturday in Linwood Park from 12 noon – 5pm. There will be no race-day registration.

Planning to stay the weekend? Make it a multi-sport weekend. Rent a kayak and paddle the Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail, mountain bike the Thorn Trail at Findley State Park or bike the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Route through Vermilion, Oberlin, Wellington and Lorain. There are so many events going on this weekend at local wineries, sunset cruises, lighthouse tours, and live music/outdoor concerts—you will certainly not be at a loss for something to do! Check out local lodging for some great rates.

NEO Power Series-Findley State Park MTB Photos and Results

Weather for yesterday’s Thorn Trail MTB race was great. Check out photos from the event on the Back Roads and Beaches Facebook page and results at the 331 Racing Site. Congratulations to all the day’s winners.

Competition heats up at Findley State Park this week. (Thorn MTB Trail Conditions included)

Because of late-summer's drier weather, this is always the best time of the year for the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail at Findley State Park in Wellington, Ohio. The trail is in the best shape all year, trees have been cleared and events are heating up. Tuesday night, August 2, the North Coast Mountain Bikers weekly time trials continue. Trials start at the beach parking lot. Start anytime between 5:30–7pm. Cost is a donation of $6. Proceeds go to the NCMTB club to maintain the Thorn Trail. The trials have seen great success this year so join in the fun with lots of fellow competitors.

2010 NEO Power Series Findley Race

The Thorn MTB trail will also serve as the venue for stage three of the NEO Power Series held by 331 Promotions this Sunday, August 7, 2011. Registration/sign in from 9:45–11:15am. Race start is at 11:30. This is a single track time trial. Online registration closes on Thurs. After that, registration will be on-site. Check out photos from last year's race here.

NCN Findley Lake Triathlon this Saturday

This Saturday, August 6 at Findley State Park, NCN Racing will host the 6th Annual Findley Lake Triathlon/ Duathlon beginning at 8am. Pre-register here or register on site. The Tri features a swim in Findley Lake, bike around the rural roads of southern Lorain County and a run through Findley's forested trails. Check out photos from last year's tri here.

If you are competing at Findley this week, you can stay right on site at the Findley campgrounds (but reserve early because Findley is very popular!) or check out the Oberlin Inn nearby. There are several bed and breakfasts in the Wellington and Oberlin area as well. Check those out here. Combine your multisport competitive weekend with other great winery, arts and historical events here and you'll be busy all weekend!