Race director:

Speed Limits and Parking

Obey all speed limits, signage, and parking regulations while driving in the park.  When arriving, stop at the front gate and pay the park entrance fee.   Watch for wild animals crossing the roads.

Race Day Start Times

40-miler & 100Km start: 7:00 AM, Marathon & Half-Marathon start: 8:00 AM

Show up on race day about 1-hour prior to your race’s start time.  Please check-in at the registration table.

Race Bibs

Please pin your bib number to the FRONT of you somewhere, so that it is VISIBLE.  This race is not chip-timed, so we will need to see your bib number, to have an accounting of you in the results.

No Littering!

Littering on the course will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the race and the results.

Flashlights or headlamps WILL BE REQUIRED to navigate the trails after dark. Each runner/pacer should plan accordingly. Backup batteries or flashlights are important.

Special Weather-related Safety Information

Your safety is our primary concern.  In the event of severe weather (lightning, flooding, winds above 25 MPH, or tornado), we will shut the race down.  In the event of a tornado siren sounding, please find your way to a cinder-block picnic/campground shelter and wait for the sirens and danger to subside.  Or, if severe winds suddenly hit your location, lay down in a ditch or low spot (that hasn’t yet filled with water), and put your hands over your head.  After the danger has passed, make your way to a paved road crossing or to a staffed aid station, so that we can get you back to your car or civilization.

Injury Reporting

If you sustain any type of injury while on the course, you must report it to the next aid station.  We will have trained EMT’s on staff to assess and/or treat minor injuries.  If you sustain an injury that is deemed by the EMT staff to need further medical attention, you will not be allowed to continue in the race, and will be driven to an area hospital by our staff or by ambulance.

Cut-off Times

In the interest of your safety, there will be a 10:30 p.m. cut-off time for leaving the Army Corp of Engineer's (KUS) Aid Station, for the marathon, 40M, and 100K. 

There is also a cut-off at 10 p.m. at the Land's End aid station prior to the KUS station.

Main Aid Station Cut-off: 

There will be a 5:15 p.m. cut-off for leaving the Main Aid Station for the 100K, and 3:15 p.m., for the 40-Mile, before heading-out on your last loop.  This (main aid station cut-off) may seem severe, but after dark, this course takes on a new aura.  Basically, if you make that cut-off, you should be able to hike the last loop, and make it to the finish in time.  Make sure that you have adequate lighting for the trail, after dark!  If you don't have lighting, you will be pulled from the race.

Dropping-down to another Distance or dropping-out of the race:  You can change your distance before the race until April 12th, by emailing Bad Ben.  And during the race, if you've bit-off more than you can chew, you can always drop, but you will need to notify the results team, so we aren't searching for you.  If you're running the 100K and drop down a loop (to 40 miles), you will get a 40-mile finisher's medal, but you will not be counted in your new distance's results; you will be in a separate "dropped to 40-Mile category."  

No Cups at Unstaffed Aid Stations!  A Hydration Device is Required Equipment:

There will be plenty of aid along the course, but we must insist (for your own safety) that you carry a water bottle or hydration system with you.  You will be disqualified for not carrying such. 

There will be no cups at the unstaffed aid stations, and at the staffed aid stations, cups will be used mainly for sports drinks, coke, hot soup or hot drinks, so you will need to have something (other than your hands or mouth) to put the water into. 

Sustainabilty issues are a part of our mission statement.  We are dedicated to reducing waste and recycling as much as is currently possible.

Aid Stations:
There will be 3 staffed aid stations along the course. There will also be at least three un-staffed aid stations. You will travel no more than 3-1/2 miles between aid stations.  But keep in mind, that distance on the trail can take much longer than on pavement.

The aid station volunteers are very experienced ultra-runners, and are there to help you. If you are having a problem of some kind, just ask an aid station volunteer for a potential solution.  They may be able to help you. Make sure you are checked in at each aid station (have your number visible on your front side), for they will record your number and time into the station. Limited first aid will be available at the stations as well as bug repellent, Vaseline, and sunscreen.

The staffed stations will have the following food and drink:
Water 
SUCCEED Ultra (orange flavored)
Coke, Ginger Ale

Pretzels, Crackers, Cookies, Chips
Fruit, such as bananas, watermelon, canteloupe 
Electrolytes: SUCCEED! 
They may also have coffee, potato soup, chicken noodle soup, sandwiches, candy, soup and other assorted food for runners and pacers. Remember: If you carry a cup or bowl out of an aid station please carry it to the next station. Ice will be typically be available at the KUS and Main (staffed) aid stations.

Drop bags:
Drop bags are only allowed for the 40-Mile and 100-K races.  At the morning check-in you will be given the opportunity to leave 2 drop bags, one for the start/finish area and one which will be transported to the Army Corp of Engineer’s (KUS) aid station out on the course. Write your name, and bib number onto each bag. These two locations will give you access to your bags at ten mile intervals, which should be about perfect. You should have a flashlight or headlamp stashed in both locations, for your personal safety when dusk falls.  You will have to pick-up your drop bag from the Army Corp of Engineer’s (KUS) aid station yourself, after the race, on your way out of the park.

Please keep these bags down to a reasonable size, and secure or pad any "breakable" items. No ice chests larger than 6-pack size. Absolutely no styrofoam coolers. Rule of thumb: A large drop bag should be no larger than a large shoe box, and weigh no more than 6 lbs.  Any bags left at the race will be discarded, or the items contained within will be given to charity. 

Trail Markings:
The course is marked with yellow signs that will tell you "right turn," "left turn," "straight ahead," and "wrong way." We will mark the course with ground flags and or ribbons at important intersections or turns. Care must be taken when crossing roadways!

Pacers:
Pacers are allowed on the course for the last 20 miles of the 40-Mile race, and the last 40 miles of the 100-kilometer race. Pacers are not allowed to be a "pack mule" for their runner, and should be fairly self-sufficient. Pacers need not pay, but must sign the waiver and be issued a numbered pacer race bib. Pacers can enjoy all of the food/hydration/service of the aid stations, but must not be an "overbearing burden" upon the race organization (or their assigned runner). We reserve the right to pull any pacer who we deem as "burdensome" either to us or to  their runner.

Dogs as Pacers:

We are a dog-friendly bunch, within reason.  You can run with your (well-mannered) dog, but it must be on a leash, and you must not let it get entangled with another runner.  Your dog will be issued a bib number that needs to be attached (with your name and cell # written on it with a sharpie).  Your dog will be included in the official results, if you sign it in at the starting line.  There is no additional cost to you.  Please keep in mind that we won't allow any cruelty to animals, so you must attest to your dog's "trail conditioning."  If it appears that your dog is heat-stressed or otherwise physically stressed or injured, we will ask you to pull out of the race and seek out veterinary help. Please provide water and food for your dog.  You can refill your dog's water at the aid stations.

Post-Race Meal
Upon completion of the race, participants (and one guest or crew member) can enjoy post-race food near the start/finish area.  This year, we will have Sophia's homemade vegan lentil soup, Johnsonville brats and hot dogs.  If you bring more than one guest or crew member, they are welcome to enjoy post-race food for a $5 donation per person.  The aid station table food is for PARTICIPANTS, ONLY.

Important Phone Numbers

Volunteer Coordinator & Logistics Director (Sophia Wharton): 816-808-7758

Race Direction: Ben Holmes 816-810-0440

$$$ to the Trails

Note: A large portion of the 2011 race’s net proceeds will go to the Kansas Trails Council exclusively for the Clinton North Shore Trails "Friends of the Trail" Fund.  So the actual trail that you will be running on, will receive the funds from the race!  Many of the improvements to this trail system for the past 5 years, were paid for by this race.