Flat Branch Ultra
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Flat Branch Ultra
The Flat Branch Ultra is a running event held in Columbia, Missouri, featuring distances on a fast, flat, rails-to-trails course. Both race options are USATF-certified, making them eligible for state record attempts. The event starts and finishes at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park.
Available distances include:
- 50 km
- 25 km
The 50 km course follows an out-and-back route beginning on the MKT Trail. Participants transition onto the Katy Trail near McBaine, heading west toward Rocheport along the Missouri River. This section passes through scenic corridors with bluffs and a nearly 400-year-old Burr Oak. The turnaround point is located at the Halfway Home aid station near Rocheport.
The 25 km course is also an out-and-back route, primarily utilizing the MKT Trail. It shares the same start and finish area as the longer distance but turns around before reaching the Burr Oak landmark.
Multiple aid stations are positioned along the courses, including locations at Scott Blvd, the Burr Oak, and the Halfway Home station. For the 50 km race, drop bag service is available to transport items to the halfway point. Finisher awards are provided to all participants, and top three overall male and female awards are presented at the finish line. Competitors may run with dogs if they start at the back of the pack, though these participants are not eligible for overall awards or state records.
Registration is limited to 125 total participants across both distances. Packet pickup is conducted on race day at the start/finish area, where portable restrooms and open-air parking are available. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
