OMBC Race Series Event #6 - Lake Hope State Park

OMBC Series #6 - Lake Hope State Park - McArthur, OH

Date:  Sunday, September 7, 2025 at HIGH NOON

Race Location:  Race will begin and end at Lake Hope State Park near Water Tower off Long Ridge Road.

     Google Maps Link:  Googlemaps Link

Driving Directions:  

If you are coming on race day, Please follow the OMBC signs to parking along Long Ridge Road. Ride or walk to the start finish area. Please do not drive up through the campground. Gate may be locked to block traffic there. Thanks for your cooperation.

From the Cleveland/Akron Area
Take Interstate 71 South to Columbus.  When you reach the first intersection of the 270 outer belt, take it East.   Continue on 270, which will head South, until you reach Route 33.  Take Route 33 East (south) through Lancaster and down to Nelsonville and State Route 278.  Take 278 South to Lake Hope State Park. (Driving time approximately 3.5-4.0 hours)

From the Columbus Area
From the South Side of the 270 outer-belt, take Route 33 East (south) through Lancaster and down to Nelsonville and State Route 278.  Take 278 South to Lake Hope State Park. (Driving time approximately 1.5 hours)

From the Cincinnati Area
Take the Appalachian Highway (Route 32) East.  Continue on Route 32 past the Jackson Exit about 7 miles to Route 327.  Look for the sign to Wellston.  Turn left on 327 and head north.  327 will turn into Route 93.  Take 93 to McArthur.   Turn right on Route 50 (East) to Prattsville, turn left on 278 (North). Follow the signs to Lake Hope State Park.
(Driving time approximately 2.5 hours) 

Parking:  

Follow the OMBC Race parking signs. Parking will be on Long Ridge Road.

IMPORTANT PARKING INFO:  There will be NO PARKING allowed at the race/start finish except OMBC 70+ Grandmasters Champion Mike Dietlin who has earned his racing stripes as the eldest and multiple finisher of the Mohican MTB100 at 72, he earned a race start/finish parking privilege. Any other racers attempting to park there will be sent back down the hill and miles around to the parking area on long ridge road. You have been warned. This is for the safety of kids and racers.

Race Schedule:  

     OMBC MTB Packet Pickup 10am

     OMBC Kids Race: 10:30am

     OMBC MTB Race: Noon

MTB Entry Fees: All Divisions online registration Before April 18 just $40, Novice Youth 12-14 and 8-11 just $20. Race Day registration $50.  Kid's Races are $10 for this event

     **Timing Anklet Fee:  All racers will be required to purchase a timing anklet that is good for the entire season if they do not all ready have one from previous year's event. There is a one-time fee of $6. Once you have a timing anklet, you will be required to enter the anklet number for each race when you register online.   

     **MTB Race Plates: All racers will be required to purchase an OMBC Number Plate that is good for the entire season if they do not all ready have one from a previous year's event. There is a one-time fee of $6. Once you have a number plate, you will be required to enter the plate number for each race when you register online.  

Race Distances:

Expert: 2 laps

Sport: 1 lap

Novice 1 lap  

Expert Class, Including Class 1 E-Bike, Singlespeed, Men's and Women's Expert, Expert Masters: 30 miles: From the start/finish, follow the gravel road past the water tower to a new connector trail toward Copperhead Trail. Follow Copperhead to Bobcat until you reach the water station at the 4-way intersection. From the 4-way, follow Wildcat to Copperhead. Pass the yellow "FINISH" sign and repeat loop. Enter finish line on the second time through only then follow the trail up to the paved road then left back to the start/finish. 

Expert Women Only: On Second lap only, Expert Women will be making a 180 degree turn at the 4-way intersection onto Copperhead. This shortens the course to 23 miles. Follow the "novice" sign at the 4-way on your second lap only. 

All Sport Class Racers 17 miles: From the start/finish, follow the gravel road past the water tower to a new connector trail connecting to Copperhead Trail. Follow Copperhead to Bobcat through the water station at the 4-way intersection. From the 4-way, follow Wildcat to Copperhead. Turn left, uphill, at the yellow "FINISH" sign and up the paved road back to the start/finish.  

All Novice Class Racers 9 miles: From the start/finish, follow the gravel road past the water tower to a new connector trail toward Copperhead Trail. Follow Copperhead to Bobcat to the water station located at the 4-way intersection. From the 4-way, Follow the large “Novice Racers Only” sign and make a 180 degree turn onto Copperhead.  When you reach the yellow "FINISH" sign, turn left and up the steep trail to the paved road, turn left uphill and back to the start/finish. 

Kids Race: All Finishers will receive an official OMBC finisher’s medal. Division winners may also receive prizes.

Age Divisions 7-8, 9-10 (About 3 miles) From the start/finish, follow the gravel road to a new connector trail toward Copperhead Trail. Follow Copperhead to the yellow "FINISH" sign. Turn left, up the short, steep, gravel hill then up the paved road about a mile back to the start/finish. 

Age Divisions 3-4, 5-6: The Kids racecourse at Lake Hope is likely too difficult for children in this age group. However, It is strictly up to the parent to decide. Parents are welcome to ride along with their kids as long as they are not interfering with the race.
The greatest obstacles will be other kids or roots. This course is the most difficult of the kid’s race courses with four-foot dips in and out of small washes and a rigorous climb near the end of the race. Kids and parents are welcome to pre-ride the course to determine whether it is within the ability of your child.

MTB Wave Starts:  E-Bike, Pro/Expert Men will begin at noon with all other divisions starting two minutes apart. Everyone should be ready at Noon.

Course Description:

Lake Hope has become a favorite stop and one of the largest races on the OMBC Race Series circuit because of its fast, flowing single track. Race donations will be made to the Lake Hope trail crew

This is a self-supportive race. There will be water and Hammer Heed available at the four-way split (about halfway point) for Novice, Sport and Expert MTB Classes. Novice MTB racers will pass this station once and Sport racers will pass this station twice. 

Awards:

     ALL E-Bike, Expert and Sport divisions will be awarded cash PRIZES FOR TOP THREE according to the OMBC PAYOUT SCHEDULE

     Prize table awards for TOP THREE in Novice Divisions 

Post Race:

     Specialty brews will be served up by Great Lakes Brewing, official brew of the OMBC Series. Beer is free for registered racersof age so bring your favorite mug.  No water bottles will be filled.

Lodging: 

Camping on-site: Approval has been granted to close the campground to the general public from the last gate back for the event.  Event participants may camp in the closed portion of the campground with the understanding of no vehicle traffic during the race. Camping fees will apply and reservations can be made  through the reservation office at 740-596-4938 or the camp store at 740-596-4020 or walk in reservation at the camp store/reservation office. No online reservations will be available in the area closed for the race.  

For camping outside of the designated race area: Lake Hope state park offers cabin rental and camping in the park. Call 1-866-644-6727 or visit www.ohiostateparks.org

To be close to the race start/finish, racers can reserve the following sites:

Non-electric: 90-124

Electric near shower house: 65-87 

Results:  

     2025 Live Results and Updated OMBC Standings found at midohiorm.com

     2024

     2023

Current Registrants - As of 9/4/25, 6:44am