Course Certification
Interested in a state record? Ha Ha Racing Events is working with the USATF to certify the course in 2025.
Flat Branch 50K | The Course
This is a rails to trails out and back starting from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Columbia, Missouri at 800 West Blvd. The race is named after Flat Branch creek, a water source for early settlers. More on the history of the area can be found here, https://comomag.com/2007/11/03/flat-branch-creek-of-dreams/.
The tree within our logo represents the nearly 400 year old Burr Oak that can be seen from the course about 8.5 miles into the race. "It stands alone – no other tree is within 1,000 feet. As the largest burr oak tree in Missouri, it’s tied with another in Kentucky for the title of the national champion (largest) of the specie, Quercus macrocarpa." Source: NPS.gov
Competitors will head southwest on the MKT (Missouri-Kansas-Texas) trail for about 7.5 miles before they intersect the Katy Trail just west of McBaine. From there, competitors will head west on the Katy Trail. The turnaround is east of Rocheport–just past the I-70 bridge. The complete Strava route will be posted soon. The course will showcase the Missouri River, bluffs and other spectacular features–both natural and man-made.
Cutoff: Must be at the turnaround aid station by noon.
Packet Pickup
Packet Pickup will be race day only beginning at 7:00 AM at the start/finish line located at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at 800 West Stadium Blvd, Columbia, Missouri 65203. There is an open air parking lot right there at the start/finish line. Please give yourself plenty of time to park, pick up your packet and be ready for a race start time of 8 AM.
Aid Stations | Drop Bags
1) Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Start/Finish Line Aid Station (mile 0 and 31)
2) Scott Aid Station (miles 3.25 and 25.5)
3) McBaine Aid Station (miles 7.5 and 21.5)
4) Turnaround Aid Station (mile 15.5)
Look for the drop bag sign at the start/finish line. Drop bags will be transported to the turnaround aid station, and transported back to the start/finish line once all runners complete the turnaround.
Awards | Professional Photographs
Finisher awards and overall male/female (top 3) | If we reach 100 competitors, there will be age division winners (1st place only, male and female). Every runner will receive a race shirt.
Professional photographs will be taken on the course and at the start/finish line. These will be posted and made available to you at no charge.
Post-Race
Water, electrolytes and typical aid station food will be available at the finish line. All awards will be handed out at the finish line.
You're welcome to bring your camping chair and your own post-race food and refreshments, so you can kick back and relax and cheer on your fellow competitors as they cross the finish line.
No Refunds
Ha Ha Racing Events does not issue refunds due to cancellation or postponement. Thank you.
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, HaHaRacingEvents.com.
Event's current local time: 4:50 AM CT
