Flat Branch Ultra

Event overview

Flat Branch Ultra is a 50K rails-to-trails out-and-back run in Columbia, Missouri. The start/finish is at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 800 West Stadium Blvd. The course follows the MKT Trail to the Katy Trail and runs alongside the Missouri River beneath river bluffs.

Course and support

The route uses the MKT Trail for roughly 7.5 miles before joining the Katy Trail west of McBaine. Runners pass a roughly 400-year-old Bur Oak tree at about mile 8.5; the Halfway Home aid station is located just east of Rocheport, past the I-70 bridge. Aid stations are positioned at the start/finish (mile 0 and mile 31), Scott Blvd (miles 3.25 and 25.5), Bur Oak (miles 8.5 and 20.5), and Halfway Home (mile 15.5). Drop bags left at the start/finish are transported to Halfway Home and returned after the turnaround.

Packet pickup is race day only at the start/finish and competitors must sign a USATF waiver at pickup. All competitors must check in at the Halfway Home aid station by noon; runners must be off the course before dark. The event plans finisher awards and top-3 overall male and female awards; awards must be accepted in person. The organizer notes a limit of 125 spots and that the course is USATF-certified for the 50K distance. Title sponsors include Fleet Feet Columbia and Fleet Feet Jefferson City. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.