Midwest Endurance brings you Ultrapalooza! It’s the flattest, awesome-est, running-est party in the Midwest! The trail crosses the beautiful Flint Hills. The Flint Hills represent one of the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystems in the world. The eastern portions of the route travels alongside the Marais Des Cygnes River, between rushing waters and towering bluffs, through rolling farmland and riparian woodlands. The Flint Hills Trail is the seventh-longest rail-trail in America, and the longest trail in Kansas. It follows the general route of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and forms a component of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. Cool, huh?
The race will be held in early September. The average high temperature is 84 degrees with an average low of 63 degrees. Although fall weather is typically beautiful, mother nature can be unpredictable. Record highs have reached triple digits. Be prepared for anything. Make sure you check the weather reports leading up to race day.
Awards, Swag & Features
~ Timer Guys will be using Computerized Chip Timing for all distances.
~ The course is entirely on a flat, fast, crushed gravel trail, with manned and unmanned aid stations no more than 5.0 miles apart making is a great ultra experience!
~ Customized unisex technical blend race shirts for all racers. You must register by August 1st to guarantee your shirt size.
~ Abundantly stocked aid stations and knowledgeable aid station captains.
~ Hammer swag bag with product.
~ Great distance-specific hardware.
~ Unique Awards for the Top M/F Overall in all distances.
~ We’re thankful to have the help of our photographer friends to capture not only the course itself, but the spirit of our homegrown event.
Start/Finish
All races will start and finish at the Mile 0 Flint Hills trail head in Osawatomie. This will also serve as the main hub of the race. We’ll have cowbells ringing and people screaming as runners finish an amazing endeavor! The Start/Finish is a great area for crews to hang out. We will have music playing and a food truck all night. There are also restrooms located in this area.
Cut Off Time
30 hour time limit for the 100 miler and 100k
100 miler turn around will close at 9:00pm.
Race closes 12:00pm Sunday.
30 hours for 50 miler
50 miler turn around will close at 4:00am
Race closes 12:00pm Sunday.
12 hour time limit for the 50K
Race closes at 6:30pm Saturday.
6 hour time limit for the Half
Race closes at 1:00pm Saturday.
Course Description
The course will be an out and back consisting of single track trail, old railroad beds and towpath trail. It is home to abundant prairie plant and wildlife species, spectacular views, national historic sites, and a diverse set of recreational areas. It is flat, crushed gravel course. Don’t worry, you won’t get lost. The course is mostly straight, staffed well, and marked the best.
Aid Stations
Manned aid stations are fully stocked with water, hammer nutrition heed electrolyte drinks, snack foods, sandwiches, chips, candy, hammer gels, and more. Unmanned stations will be water only. Approximate distance between aid stations is no more than 4 miles.
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