Hike & Run

This beloved event benefits environmental education and promotes health and wellness while celebrating the Shaker Parklands. Partial proceeds also support the Jenny Goldman Memorial Nature Outreach Fund, which underwrites our Environmental Educator in Residence program that provides environmental education for hundreds of Cleveland school children each year.

The Hike & Run was created in memory of Jenny Goldman. Jenny was a budding young naturalist who loved and spent a great deal of time at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes as a devoted volunteer. Sadly, Jenny, a Shaker Heights resident, passed in a tragic car accident in 2004. Jenny's wondrous spirit, joy for nature, and dedication to diversity live on through the Jenny Goldman Fund, which underwrites the Environmental Educator in Residence program at the Nature Center. The program provides free environmental education for under-served urban youth.

Run: 5k or 10k road race with chip timing and awards on a beautiful course around Shaker Lakes. The 1 Mile Run/Walk will be chip-timed and use the streets the of the 5k/10k course

DONATE TO SUPPORT

Early Bird pricing now through August 18. Click register for details.
Nature Center members receive $5 off registration.

*Please note* Registrants t-shirt options are first come, first serve!

Packet pick-up: Friday & Saturday prior to race day, details coming soon.

Race Day Parking: S. Park Blvd. Overflow parking is at Shaker Heights Admin Bldg, 15600 Parkland Drive, Shaker Heights. Shuttle Provided.

HIKE

Hike Options
1-2 Mile Family Friendly Hike
2 Mile Historical Homes Hike
4 Mile Rim of the Gorge Hike
5-6 Mile Gorge Hike
6 Mile Lakes to Lake Hike

For hike descriptions, see below.

REGISTRATION

Only 1-2 Mile Family Friendly Hike is recommended for children under 10.

Hikes depart promptly at 8:45AM, late arrivals will not be permitted to join the hike.

RUN

5K & 10K Race
1 Mile Family Fun Run

5K & 10K Start at 8:30AM
1 Mile at 8:35AM
Hikes at 8:45AM

COURSE MAP

VOLUNTEER

Sunday, September 14 - Volunteers needed for 2 and 3 hour shifts!

Volunteers are needed to assist with the Hike and Run. Most shifts start at 6:30am, 8:30am or11:30am. Volunteer positions include registration help and packet pickup (9/12, 9/13 and 9/14), hike sweeps (these volunteers walk behind the hikers, and keep the group together), route monitor volunteers, and water station volunteers.

Please check back for volunteering opportunities, or email volunteer@shakerlakes.org if you are interested in learning more.

VOLUNTEER

Sponsorships

HIKE DESCRIPTIONS

1-2 Mile Family Friendly Hike
Led by the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes (NCSL). Register for a casual stroll along the Nature Center’s Stearn's Trail and Southerly Park to take in all the beauty of the outdoor features of NCSL. For this special hike, leashed pets are welcome on Nature Center trails! Approximate time: 45 minutes, includes some accessible areas, but dirt trails and stairs are to be expected. Approximately 1-2 miles. Difficulty: Easy

Children under 2 are free. Children 3 to 12 years old are $12.50.

3.5 Mile Rim of the Gorge Hike
In partnership with and led by the Cleveland Hiking Club with Sherry Widdowson. Explore some of the lesser known trails in the area on this moderate hike around the rim of the Doan Brook Gorge. Look down and enjoy sweeping views of the gorge. A bit of history retained in some of the remains of past uses will be noted. Approximate time: 2-2.5 hours, varied terrain. 3-5 miles. Difficulty: moderate.

Not recommended for children under 10. Children 10 to 12 years old are $20.

5-6 Mile Gorge Hike
Led by NCSL OR In partnership with and led by the Cleveland Hiking Club. Challenge yourself with this difficult hike, which spans Doan Brook between the Nature Center and the Graffiti Dam just north and west of MLK Blvd. After going around Lower Lake and crossing Coventry Rd, we will follow the trails closest to Doan Brook, passing many historical points along the way. Hikers will climb small hills, negotiate tree roots, loose rocks, and low-hanging branches, so good hiking boots, hiking poles, and above all, good balance are recommended! Explore this beautiful trail, where you can hardly believe that heavily traveled roads are only a few dozen feet away. Approximate time: 2 1/2 – 3 hours, varied terrain. 4-6 miles. Difficulty: strenuous.

Not recommended for children under 10. Children 10 to 12 years old are $20.

2 Mile Shaker Historical Hike
In partnership with the Shaker Historical Society. Bust out your walking shoes and join the Shaker Historical Society for a history-focused hike around Lower Lake! Hikers will learn through stories, photographs, and historic sites how the landscape around Lower Lake has changed as land use and urban development evolved since the 19th century. This tour may include elevation changes with hills and stairs.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate with stops for interpretation. Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours.

Not recommended for children under 10. Children 10 to 12 years old are $20.

6 Mile Lakes to Lakes Hike
In partnership with and led by the Cleveland Hiking Club. A vigorous Lakes-to-Lake hike from the Nature Center to Lake Erie. The hike is a 6-mile hike from the Nature Center to the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve and return to the Nature Center by shuttle after hiking six miles to the Gordon Boat Ramp. A beautiful hike through University Circle and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.

Approximate time: 2 hours, 15 minutes. Terrain: mostly flat and hard surfaces. Difficulty: moderate, but the hike distance requires stamina.

Fundraising

FUNDRAISING

Registering for a hike or a race? Passionate about our mission? Help raise critical funds for the Nature Center by setting up a personal fundraising page. 100% of donations to your personal fundraiser will benefit our environmental education programs and public trails.

Setup is simple and easy: create your personal fundraising page during registration, then share with friends, family, and across social media to start raising funds that will support the Nature Center's mission!

To express our thanks, are offering special incentives for those who raise funds through their personal fundraising page:
-Raise $100+ and we will refund your entry fee.
-Raise $250+ and earn a Nature Center hat or water bottle and refunded entry fee.
-Raise $500+ and earn a Hike & Run sweatshirt, a hat or water bottle, and refunded entry fee.
-Raise $1,000+ and earn a pair of tickets to the annual Nature Center Benefit, a Hike & Run sweatshirt, a hat or water bottle, and refunded entry fee.

Sponsorships

Hike & Run

HIKE DESCRIPTIONS

FUNDRAISING

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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