Waffle Iron Youth Run 2026

The Waffle Iron Youth Run is a children's race in downtown Sandusky, Ohio, scheduled for the Saturday preceding the local IRONMAN 70.3 event. It begins on Columbus Avenue and divides young runners into three age categories: Little Dough Ball for ages 0-3 over 0.06 miles, Rising & Shining for ages 4-7 over a half mile, and Ready to Run for ages 8-12 over 1 mile. The course follows the Sandusky Bay waterfront. The youngest division starts first, followed by the middle group, and the 1-mile race concludes the morning's events. Packet pickup begins early under the marquee at the Sandusky State Theatre, adjacent to the IRONMAN finish line, linking the youth race closely to the larger triathlon weekend. Each registration provides a shirt, a medal, and a waffle from Sandusky's Wake Up & Waffle, contributing to the event's local character beyond its short race distances.