Show Me Your Free State Ultra
Saint Joseph, United States • 24 Oct 2026
Show Me Your Free State Marathon and Ultra
The event on Saturday, October 24, 2026, offers multiple distances and uses a 25 mile loop that begins and ends at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, Missouri. The course crosses into Kansas for much of the route, following riverbank, Gladden Bottoms, and areas near the Loess Hills.
Distances offered:
- 100-mile
- 50-mile
- 50-kilometer
- Marathon (26.2 miles)
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
Each loop has about 138 feet of elevation gain. Surfaces include roughly 10 miles of paved road, about 1 mile of dirt through a cornfield, and the remainder gravel or crushed limestone levee trail. The course crosses US Highway 36 in Wathena, Kansas; crossings are monitored by volunteers. Wildlife sightings such as deer and bald eagles are common.
Manned aid stations provide water, sports drink, salty snacks, fruit, sweets, hot coffee and warm food after sunset. Unmanned stations have water and limited snacks. Drop bag rules allow up to four bags for 50 and 100 mile runners with size limits and return procedures; drop bags for remote stations must be turned in at packet pickup at Tubes Bike Shop. Crews may meet runners at designated manned stations only. Pacers are permitted for 50 and 100 mile runners after their first lap and must obtain a pacer bib.
Age minimums vary by distance. Registration is nonrefundable and no transfers are allowed. Typical late October temperatures range from lower 40s Fahrenheit at night to upper 60s Fahrenheit by day. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.