The Race before The Game

The Race before The Game is held in downtown Sandusky, in Erie County, Ohio, on Saturday, November 28, 2026. Three distances start together at 9:00 a.m.: 5 miles, 4 miles and 1.2 miles, with options for individuals and for two-person relay teams. The event celebrates the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, starts at Cameo Pizza, and rewards early entrants with a long-sleeve t-shirt.

The spread of distances covers most runners. Five miles is a genuine road race that suits anyone with a steady base, four miles is a slightly gentler version of the same effort, and the 1.2-mile option works for kids or a first attempt at racing. Splitting a distance with a partner as a relay makes the day social rather than solitary. On Ohio roads in late November, dress for cold at the start, and expect a lively crowd of fans from both sides of the rivalry.