$500 Cash Awards for Overall Male and Female Winners (50K Only)
The 2027 Flat Branch Ultra (50K only) will award $500 in cash to the overall male winner and $500 in cash to the overall female winner. We’re excited to raise the stakes as we continue building one of Missouri’s premier 50K events. Whether you’re chasing the win, a personal best, or simply want to be part of a memorable race experience, the Flat Branch Ultra offers a fast, certified course and a competitive atmosphere on race day.
New Missouri Overall 50K State Records — Flat Branch Ultra (2026)
History was made at the 2026 Flat Branch Ultra (50K). According to StateRunningRecords.com, in 2026 10 women and 13 men set Missouri state single-age records, and two performances also earned Missouri overall 50K state records:
Matt Chan set the Missouri Overall 50K State Record (Men) with a time of 3:15:06 (also the Missouri record for 37-year-old males).
Jessalyn Sadler set the Missouri Overall 50K State Record (Women) with a time of 3:26:47 (also the Missouri record for 37-year-old females).
Brendan Connell ran 3:01:32* — the fastest time, listed with an asterisk as NonResident/NonCitizen of Missouri under state record-keeping guidelines.
Flat Branch Ultra — A USATF-Certified 50K and USATF-Certified 25K Rails-to-Trails Course
The Flat Branch Ultra takes place on the third Saturday in February, starting and finishing at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in Columbia, Missouri. Both races begin at 8 a.m. and feature flat, fast, rails-to-trails courses.
Start/Finish Line:
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
800 West Stadium Blvd.
Columbia, Missouri 65203
Only 125 total spots are available, and we anticipate another sellout.
50K
The USATF-certified 50K begins on the MKT Trail and continues onto the Katy Trail toward Rocheport. Competitors will race along the Missouri River, beneath towering bluffs and through one of Missouri’s most scenic rails-to-trails corridors.
From the start, runners head southwest on the MKT Trail for approximately 7.5 miles before joining the Katy Trail just west of McBaine. They then continue west on the Katy Trail toward Rocheport. The Halfway Home aid station is located just east of Rocheport, beyond the Interstate 70 bridge. The course is an out-and-back.
Approximately 8.5 miles into the race, 50K participants pass the iconic, nearly 400-year-old Burr Oak—a living landmark and the inspiration for the Flat Branch Ultra logo.
Because the 50K course is USATF-certified, eligible performances can count toward Missouri 50K state records.
50K Route Map:
https://www.strava.com/activities/12519245012
25K
New for 2027, the 25K will also be USATF-certified.
The 25K is an out-and-back course that will be run primarily on the MKT Trail. It starts and finishes at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, allowing runners in both distances to share the same start and finish area.
The 25K turns around before reaching the historic Burr Oak and does not continue onto the portion of the course near Rocheport.
Race History
The Flat Branch Ultra debuted in 2022 as a November event, starting and finishing at Flat Branch City Park in Columbia. The race moved to February in 2024, and the start and finish were relocated to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in 2025.
In 2026, the 50K course became USATF-certified. In 2027, the event expands with the addition of a USATF-certified 25K, giving runners two flat and fast race options.
Packet Pickup | USATF Waiver (25K and 50K)
Packet pickup will be race day only, beginning at 6:30 AM at the start/finish line, located at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at 800 West Stadium Blvd, Columbia, Missouri 65203. There is an open-air parking lot and portable restrooms a short walk to the start/finish line. Please allow plenty of time to park, pick up your packet, and to prepare for the start of your race.
All competitors are required to sign a USATF waiver at packet pickup.
Rules | Cutoff and Check-in (25 and 50K)
Competitors must reach the Halfway Home Aid Station by 12:00 p.m. (50K only). All competitors must be off the course before dark. In addition, all competitors must check in at the 25K and 50K turnaround locations by calling out their bib number and last name. It is the runner’s responsibility to ensure their Halfway Home check-in time has been logged.
Pets: Dogs are allowed as long as competitors with dogs start at the back of the pack so their dogs don’t tangle up with other runners. Competitors who finish with their dogs will receive a finisher’s award. However, any competitor running with a dog will not be eligible for state records or overall awards.
Aid Stations | Drop Bags (50K)
1. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park Start/Finish Line Aid Station (mile 0 and mile 31)
2. Scott Blvd Aid Station (miles 3.25 and 25.5)
3. Bur Oak Aid Station (miles 8.5 and 20.5)
4. Halfway Home Aid Station (mile 15.5)
Look for the drop bag sign at the start/finish line. Drop bags will be transported to the Halfway Home Aid Station and brought back to the start/finish line once all runners complete the turnaround. All runners must be checked in at the Halfway Home Aid Station by noon. All runners must check in with the Halfway Home Aid Station captain. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
Aid Stations (25K)
1. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park Start/Finish Line Aid Station (mile 0 and mile 15.5)
2. Scott Blvd Aid Station (miles 3.25 and 12.25)
3. Halfway Home Aid Station (mile 7.75)
Awards | Photographs (25K and 50K)
Finisher awards and top 3 overall male/female awards
A photographer will be taking photos on the course and at the start/finish line. All images will be posted and available to you at no charge.
Post-Race (25K and 50K)
Water, electrolytes, and typical aid station food will be available at the finish line. All awards will be presented there.
You’re welcome to bring your camping chair and your own post-race food and refreshments, so you can relax, kick back, and cheer on your fellow competitors as they cross the finish line.
Awards must be accepted in person; they will not be mailed.
No Refunds (25K and 50K)
Please note that Ha Ha Racing Events does not provide refunds in the event of a cancellation or postponement due to circumstances outside of our control. Thank you for your understanding.
Presenting Sponsor: Tryathletics
We’re proud to welcome Tryathletics as a Presenting Sponsor of Ha Ha Racing Events.
Located in Columbia, Missouri, Tryathletics is more than a running and bike shop—they take a hands-on, personalized approach to helping athletes find the right gear for their goals, lifestyle, and performance needs.
Not all gear is created equal, and their team takes the time to make sure every runner and cyclist is properly fitted and supported.
In addition to premium footwear, apparel, and cycling gear, Tryathletics also offers expert on-site bike repair and maintenance services. From routine tune-ups to major repairs, their experienced mechanics provide fast, reliable service you can trust.
Tryathletics
1605 Chapel Hill Rd, Columbia, MO 65203
573) 447-2453
tryathletics@gmail.com
Mon–Fri 10–6 | Sat 10–5 | Sun 12–4
https://www.tryathletics.com
Sponsorships
The Flat Branch Ultra is looking for sponsors! We’re looking for community-minded businesses who want to support endurance athletes and be part of this exciting event.
If your business (or one you know!) would like to get involved, check out our website, haharacingevents.com or email us at HaHaRacingEvents@gmail.com. Let’s showcase the best of Columbia together!
Ha Ha Racing Events
Flat Branch Ultra is one of several events in the Ha Ha Racing Events portfolio. Check out our website for details on all our races: LOZ Traverse (32 miles of running, 3 miles of paddling), Trail of Four Winds 25K, and Wandering Bobcat 5 Miler. More details at HaHaRacingEvents.com.
Event's current local time: 1:54 PM CT
