Flats Trail Half Marathon
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
FLATS Trail Half Marathon - Kirksville, Missouri
The FLATS Trail Half Marathon is a point-to-point trail race held around Thousand Hills State Park and nearby Forest Lake in Kirksville, Missouri. The course follows mostly single-track trails alongside a lake and includes roots, rocks, water crossings, and varied terrain. The event uses seven aid stations positioned at approximately mile 1.5, 3.2, 5.2, 7.9, 9.85, 11.3, and 12.5; water, sports drink, snacks, and gels are provided on the course, and the finish area offers drinks, pizza, and snacks.
Race operations include a shuttle that returns runners from the finish at Jackson Stables to the start at the Thousand Hills State Park Marina, and one gear bag per runner is transported from the start to the finish. Pre-race packet pickup is held at the ATSU Thompson Campus Center and again at the marina on race morning.
This event awards prize money to the top three female, male, and nonbinary finishers ($150, $75, and $25 respectively) and offers a course-record bonus that can increase first-place pay. The top three in each age group receive a commemorative pint glass. Proceeds support the Forest Lake Area Trail System for trail building and maintenance in Adair County.
The race adopts inclusive practices such as nonbinary registration with equal podiums and prize money, a pregnancy and postpartum deferral option, and participation in the Trail Mix Fund to help waive race fees for underrepresented runners. The organizer asks runners to follow trail etiquette and notes the event may be delayed, altered, or canceled for safety in inclement weather. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
