I was supposed to do a 20 miler on this one. I had one brand new headlamp (Charged 24 hours), a belt light that I love because I can get … MORE
I was supposed to do a 20 miler on this one. I had one brand new headlamp (Charged 24 hours), a belt light that I love because I can get 8+ hours out of it (charged 24 hours), an old headlamp that I’ve used on shorter 10ks before (charged 24 hours). All of them died during this race. I had to drop down after one lap so I got 10M out of an intended 20M, but it wouldn’t have been responsible to go back out. Many people I spoke with had lights dying early that night. Solar flares? EMP attack? I don’t know, but it was profoundly disappointing.
The race itself was exceptionally marked and the aid stations were well equipped to include fresh watermelon. The course itself was appropriately challenging in places but had some smoothish sections of trails that were great for picking up the pace. At the start when we had daylight still, the scenery was top notch, and deer were even spotted crossing the trails.
I will be back next year for my redemption race so I can get my 20 miles in if I have to bring a backpack of batteries, a USB battery bank and a hand crank light. Finishing through the corridor flanked with tiki torches was a nice touch, and Mile 90 was there to do an excellent job with the (Free!) photos. Energy with the crowd was great and everybody was real polite on the trail. Great experience that I can’t wait to get another shot at.
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What Coulda Been...
I was supposed to do a 20 miler on this one. I had one brand new headlamp (Charged 24 hours), a belt light that I love because I can get … MORE
I was supposed to do a 20 miler on this one. I had one brand new headlamp (Charged 24 hours), a belt light that I love because I can get 8+ hours out of it (charged 24 hours), an old headlamp that I’ve used on shorter 10ks before (charged 24 hours). All of them died during this race. I had to drop down after one lap so I got 10M out of an intended 20M, but it wouldn’t have been responsible to go back out. Many people I spoke with had lights dying early that night. Solar flares? EMP attack? I don’t know, but it was profoundly disappointing.
The race itself was exceptionally marked and the aid stations were well equipped to include fresh watermelon. The course itself was appropriately challenging in places but had some smoothish sections of trails that were great for picking up the pace. At the start when we had daylight still, the scenery was top notch, and deer were even spotted crossing the trails.
I will be back next year for my redemption race so I can get my 20 miles in if I have to bring a backpack of batteries, a USB battery bank and a hand crank light. Finishing through the corridor flanked with tiki torches was a nice touch, and Mile 90 was there to do an excellent job with the (Free!) photos. Energy with the crowd was great and everybody was real polite on the trail. Great experience that I can’t wait to get another shot at.
A Local Gem
The Lawrence Trail Hawks put on some of the best races in the Kansas City area, and are really second to none in the area. This race, like most of … MORE
The Lawrence Trail Hawks put on some of the best races in the Kansas City area, and are really second to none in the area. This race, like most of the other Trail Hawk races, is run smoothly like all of the other major ultra races in the area but really nails the intimate local feeling. You feel like every person there knows you and is cheering you on. The aid stations at this race were well stocked with all the trail running essentials (quesadillas, PBJ, potato chips) and had wonderful, eager volunteers. Even more, Mile90 Photography was out on the course documenting the race in a way only they can. If you haven’t checked out their work, you really should!
This year’s course was different than years previous as we’ve experienced a lot of rain fall in Kansas City. The blue trails that this race normal uses were all under water and unrunnable. So, this year featured a little bit of road running for the first 1.7 miles, and also for the last 2ish miles. We also got to brave a waist deep river crossing.
Last year I DNF’d this race about 5 or 6 miles in with an injury. I was happy to finish this year, and even happier to finish 5th. Highly recommend this race and other Trail Hawk races!!