Prairie Spirit Trail

Event overview

The Prairie Spirit is an out-and-back trail run held in Ottawa, Kansas on March 28, 2026. The courses start and finish at Celebration Hall (1737 South Elm, Ottawa, KS). Time limits apply by distance: a 30-hour limit for the 100 Mile and 100K, a 29-hour limit for the 50 Mile, and a 28-hour limit for the 50K. Turnaround cutoffs and inbound aid station cutoffs also apply; finish cutoffs are strict and finishing after the cutoff will not be listed as an official finisher.

Distances

• 100 Miler
• 100K
• 50 Miler
• 50K
• Marathon
• 1/2 Marathon
• 5 Miler

Course, aid stations and rules

The course uses the Prairie Spirit rails-to-trails path, primarily crushed limestone with asphalt when passing through towns. Runners go south from Ottawa to distance-specific turnarounds - Iola for 100 milers, Welda for 100K, Garnett for 50 milers, Richmond for 50K - then return to the finish. Aid stations, both manned and unmanned, are placed at roughly five-mile intervals; no manned aid station is more than a little over nine miles apart. Manned stations offer water, electrolyte drink, snack foods, soup and sandwiches; unmanned stations provide water only. Manned stations have drop-bag access. Pacers are allowed for the second half of all events. Trekking poles are allowed. Dogs are allowed if leashed. Walking or hiking the course is permitted.

Logistics and services

Packet pick-up and drop-bag drop-off are held at Celebration Hall on the Friday before the race and a late pick-up is available Saturday morning. Awards include top-three male and female in each event and custom belt buckles for finishers who finish within the cutoff. Hotels are available within about 10-15 minutes of the staging area; a grass lot across from Celebration Hall is available for primitive camping or vehicle sleeping. Race photos will be available after the event. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.