Night Hawk, sponsored by the Lawrence Trail Hawks, has the option of a 50K, a 20-mile and a 10-mile trail race. The course consists mostly of rocky trails winding through the beautiful Clinton Lake North Shore woods. The race loop heads out on the white trail to Land’s End (~6 …
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Night Hawk, sponsored by the Lawrence Trail Hawks, has the option of a 50K, a 20-mile and a 10-mile trail race. The course consists mostly of rocky trails winding through the beautiful Clinton Lake North Shore woods. The race loop heads out on the white trail to Land’s End (~6 1/2 miles) and returns to the Start/Finish line on the blue trail (~3 1/2 miles). The 10 Miler is 1 loop, the 20 Miler is 2 loops, and the 50K is a 3 loop race with each loop covering 10.3 miles.
Aid stations are located at Land’s End and the Start/Finish Line and will have water, Tailwind, Honey Stinger gels, chews and waffles, fruit, and sweet and salty snacks. Please note that the Land’s End aid station will be up near the Wakarusa cabin like last year. This makes it easier on our volunteers and guarantees the 50K race distance is at least 31.1 miles.
Free online access to high quality photos from Mile 90 Photography included in race price. Race goodies and food offered post-race.
Drop bags need to be brought to the allotted area at the Start/Finish Line aid station by 7:30 pm. Drop bags are only allowed at the Start/Finish Line aid station. Please make sure they are marked with your name and bib #. Thank you.
It is required that all runners carry a water bottle or hydration pack during the race. All runners will need a headlamp. There is a cut off time of 10 hours that begins at 8:00 pm. Organizers will evaluate runners completing their second loop after 7 hours as to whether or not they should attempt to complete the 50K in the allotted time.
LESS
Runners Beware: Trails are DIFFERENT
I can count the number of trails runs I have done on one hand. I can also count the number of trails runs that have humbled me on one hand. … MORE
I can count the number of trails runs I have done on one hand.
I can also count the number of trails runs that have humbled me on one hand.
The number is exactly the same.
Night Hawk 10 miler starts at 9pm. With more than 50 road half marathons under my belt, I ignorantly expected a similar finish time. I think I can still hear the laughter caused by such a ludicrous thought. Yet, I can also remember the sheer joy and sense of accomplishment I felt for finishing. Make no mistake, the Night Hawk is equally rewarding as it is challenging.
The 10-miler is part of a bigger races, with the 50k and 20 miler starting at 8pm and 8:30pm, respectively. All trails were clearly marked according to the distance and the production crew provided motivating directions and support. The last trail run I ran was four months prior to this summer humid race, yet, I was welcomed as if this was another normal weekend run. Admittedly, the carefree atmosphere threw me for a loop at first, but ultimately, when I crossed the line, the average spectator would have thought I won first place rather than last. Yes, the support is massively impressive.
The course route itself is HARD. Headlights, flashlight or some other sort of illumination is required. I wore a chest running light, and quite honestly, it was not as bright was I would have liked. It worked fine when I would run at night on the road…with the occasional street lamp. It did stay powered on the entire 4 hours (remember, I was humbled), but it wasn’t bright enough. Prior to my next night trail run, I need to research long-lasting, bright illumination vest or headlight. If it wasn’t for my running partner’s amazing guidance, and bright lights, it would have made the race that much harder. On a course full of twists, turns, loose rocks, sharp rocks, varying elevations and terrains, a good illumination is a MUST.
I briefly reviewed the course route, but it did little good as I am unfamiliar with the area. Again, the course markers (pink or blue) were well placed and easy to spot. While is is not an out and back course, the longer distances did multiple loops, so I would run into the ocasional speed demon wishing me luck and a “good job!” as they passed me. The route is only repeated at the end and even then, a turn to the right gives runners the last bit of the final mile before rejoining the start and finishing left of a roaring party in the park shelter.
As much as I enjoy the arduous challenge of a trail run, I REALLY wish they would take note from road runners when it comes to the swag. I did 10 miles on a hot, humid summer night in pitch black woods to receive a small wooden medal and correlating medal pin. I had to pay extra for a soft cotton tshirt. Mosquito bites and running through swarms of gnats were awarded free of charge.
I have to give a major shout out to jkelling, my running partner. Truly, without his guidance, I would still be out in the woods. He slowed down so much to guide me and make sure I was safe. Sadly, I almost gave him a heart attack when I screamed like a little girl as a gnat flew into my mouth. I want to return to this race for some redemption, but also to allow jkelling to run his race.
Road races and trails runs are two completely different beasts, each in their own rite. I’m not ready to convert to a complete trail runner, but have a list of runs calling my name, or should I say mocking me, for a redo. Next year, Night Hawk is mine. Or at least I won’t yell like a little girl again. I learned that lesson.
Peaceful stroll in the woods this is not
So it was hot and muggy last year, which of course is at least 30% worse in the denser vegetation of the woods. 85% of statistics are made up on … MORE
So it was hot and muggy last year, which of course is at least 30% worse in the denser vegetation of the woods. 85% of statistics are made up on the spot. Nonetheless, the weather was more conducive this year, but it was still hot and muggy. I didn’t even want to do this race again. It was hard, it was hot, it lasted way past my bedtime. It’s a rough race. I’ve done harder trail races but there are certain complications that come with doing them at night, and that slows me down. It’s like making the tortoise drag a sandbag, with less David Attenborough voiceover.
One really great thing about this 10-mile circuit that’s spiritually an out-and-back married to a loop, but that “out” is 6-point-something miles to the aid station and the back is 3-point-something due to “shortcuts” you get to take on the way back. Truth be told, the way back is actually a parallel trail that is far less technical. On the way out you’ll be dodging rocks and roots, but the way back is largely flat and fast for a trail race. There is one small stream crossing, but unlike some I was lucky enough to stay atop the rocks when crossing.
The aid station is a beacon of light in an open field, and the volunteers were so hyped I didn’t want to leave. The selection of watermelon and trial mix type stuff was pretty decent, but the real feast came at the end with breakfast burritos the size of my forearm and loaded with protein, and a variety of drinks, alcoholic and otherwise that really answered the mail.
Truly my only gripe is the medal. I hate wooden medals, normally, and this one is just printed on a coin, not even carved or anything. The tshirt is a nice soft cotton though. I brought a friend to her first night-time trail race, and she had a great time, too. Kudos to the whole group for making new people feel like they were some original members or something. Also special kudos to the final 100 meters or so, which is where everybody at the finish line starts cheering all the runners in, and the tiki torches that line the final 50 meters really makes it a great touch. I’d have stayed there all night with these folks while we waited on the 50km to finish if I wasn’t so exhausted from this race and the other one I had the same morning. If you’re on the fence about night races, trail races, or the two combined, give this one a shot.
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!!