Heartland 50

Event overview

Heartland 50 in Cassoday, KS offers three distances:

• 50 miles
• 50K
• 25K

The course is an out-and-back on backcountry gravel roads with less than one mile of paved surface. Much of the route passes through open range and Flint Hills tallgrass prairie. Organizers note a 15 hour cutoff for all distances and a requirement that 50-mile runners reach the 25-mile turnaround within 7 hours. Registration closes on Sun, Apr 26.

Course support, logistics and rules

Aid station setup and crew access vary by distance. The 50-mile race has five manned aid stations plus unmanned water stations; crews can access runners at three points and runners have five opportunities to retrieve drop bags. The 50K has three manned aid stations and three drop-bag opportunities; crew access is available at the turnaround. The 25K has one manned halfway turnaround aid station with one drop-bag opportunity and no crew access at that station. Course markings include metal washers tied with ribbon and flour on the road when conditions allow.

All finishers receive a tri-blend shirt and a finisher award. Photos will be available for free download after the event. Rules include wearing numbers on the front, checking in at each aid station, no littering, no pacers, no dogs on the course, and that runners are responsible for their crews. Crew vehicles are not allowed on the race course. Camping is available at Cassoday City Park; additional lodging options are listed in nearby towns. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.