Show Me Your Free State Ultra
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Show Me Your Free State Marathon and Ultra
The event is on October 24, 2026, with the start and finish near Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, Missouri. It offers multiple race distances run on a 25-mile loop course that crosses between Missouri and Kansas.
Distances:
- 100 mile
- 50 mile
- 50 kilometer
- Marathon (26.2 miles)
- Half marathon (13.1 miles)
The loop follows the Missouri River bank, travels through the Gladden Bottoms, skirts the Loess Hills, and returns to Rosecrans Airport. The course records about 138 feet of elevation gain per loop. Surfaces include roughly 10 miles of paved road, about 1 mile of dirt road through a cornfield that may be muddy after rain, and the remainder on gravel or crushed limestone levee trail. A major crossing occurs at US Highway 36 in Wathena, Kansas and is monitored by volunteers. Wildlife sightings such as deer and bald eagles are common.
Manned aid stations are located at the Start–Finish, Children of the Corn, Wathena, and Roseport Landing and provide drinks, salty snacks, fruit, sweets, and warm food after sunset. Unmanned stations supply water and limited snacks. First aid items are available at all stations.
Support and rules cover drop bags, crew access, pacers, age limits, registration policies, and course markings. Typical late October conditions are daytime highs in the upper 60s°F and nighttime lows in the lower 40s°F, with rapidly changing weather possible. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
