Canal Tavern of Zoar 5k Run
For the past 13 years, the TuscParks annual Canal Tavern of Zoar 5k Run and Walk has been held in October.
For the past 13 years, the TuscParks annual Canal Tavern of Zoar 5k Run and Walk has been held in October. This year the event will be held Sunday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.
According to Jesse Rothacher, director of TuscParks, the 3-mile run and walk will begin at Fort Laurens in Bolivar and will follow the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail and end at the Canal Lands Park Trailhead in Zoar. He said the Towpath Trail attracts about 25,000 visitors a year. Marsha Freeland is the programming and education manager of TuscParks and works with Rothacher.
Rothacher said the cost to participate in the race is $40; however, if an individual registers by Friday, Sept. 20, the cost is $35. Early registration guarantees a T-shirt. Additional shirts will be ordered but not guaranteed and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
On race day registration will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Racers need to check in before the race. All race entries are nonrefundable. Checks are to be made payable to Tuscarawas County.
Register online at www.runsignup.com/CL5k or mail the form and entry fee to TuscParks, 125 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
The age groups for runners, men and women, are 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 and over.
Those participating can park at the Canal Lands Park Trailhead, located at 8645 Dover-Zoar Road NE, Dover, which is the finish line. At 11:30 a.m. a check-in/registration tent will be located in this area. Racers should check in prior to riding on the shuttle. A free shuttle will transport the racers to Fort Laurens Museum, which is the starting line. The shuttle will leave at 12:15 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. from the Canal Tavern of Zoar, 8806 Towpath Road NE, Bolivar.
Rothacher said Fort Laurens is owned by the State of Ohio; however, the Zoar Community Association oversees the fort. He said the trail is maintained by TuscParks, which cares for the trail. The proceeds from the run will benefit the Zoar Iron Bridge to install new decking. The bridge is located across from the Canal Tavern of Zoar on the Towpath Trail in Tuscarawas County.
“We want to raise funds and apply for grants to repair the decking on the bridge. The decking is wooden boards, and the bridge is supported by steel beams. The bridge was part of the former Tuscarawas County Road 82 and was the only way to get into the village of Zoar. In the 1800s the bridge was decommissioned. Work was done on the bridge between 1940 and 1950. It was restored in 2004 by the Ohio History Connection,” Rothacher said.
Jon Elsasser, president of the ZCA, also is a board member of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail and said the Ohio History Connection is planning to redo the museum and construct a fort at Fort Laurens.
“The 5k run and walk has grown over the years. My wife Cindy and I are happy to support it by holding an after party for participants in the race. They are invited to the Canal Tavern of Zoar for an Oktoberfest-style party on the patio. The food is free for race participants, along with music and a raffle,” Elsasser said.