About the Race

The Show Me Your Free State Marathon & Ultra offers five distances: 100 miles, 50 miles, 50 kilometers, marathon (26.2 miles), and half marathon (13.1 miles).

All races start on Saturday, October 23, 2027, and begin and end at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, Missouri. The 100-mile race continues into Sunday, October 24.

The name Show Me Your Free State reflects the unique geography of this race. The course starts and finishes in Missouri—the “Show-Me State”—but most of the route lies in Kansas, the “Free State.” Historic changes to the Missouri River’s channel left the airport and surrounding Missouri land west of the river.

The main course travels 12.5 miles out and 12.5 miles back, forming a 25-mile lap. Along the way, runners follow the riverbank, traverse the Gladden Bottoms, pass near the loess bluffs, and return to Rosecrans Airport.

Race Schedule

All times are Central Daylight Time (CDT).

Registration Dates

• December 1, 2026: Early registration opens
• March 1, 2027: Regular registration opens
• August 31, 2027: Regular registration closes
• September 1, 2027: Late registration opens
• October 16, 2027: Late registration closes

Friday, October 22, 2027

• 3:00–8:00 PM: Packet pickup at Tubes Bike Shop, 1826 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO

Saturday, October 23, 2027 — Race Day

• 4:00 AM: Race-day packet pickup opens
• 4:00 AM: Early start for 100-mile and 50-mile runners only
• 6:00 AM: Official start for the 100-mile and 50-mile races
• 7:00 AM: 50K and marathon start
• 8:00 AM: Half marathon start
• 1:30 PM: First-lap cutoff for 50-mile runners
• 2:00 PM: Half marathon finish cutoff
• 5:00 PM: Marathon finish cutoff
• 6:00 PM: 50K finish cutoff
• 11:59 PM: 50-mile finish cutoff

Sunday, October 24, 2027

• 4:00 AM: Third-lap cutoff for 100-mile runners
• 12:00 noon: 100-mile finish cutoff
• 12:00 noon: All drop bags returned to the Start–Finish

Early Start and Packet Pickup

• The early start is available only to 100-mile and 50-mile runners.
• Early starters acknowledge that no aid will be available during their first 25-mile lap and must carry everything they need for that lap.
• Early start requires a donation of one 30-pound bag of dog food or one 12-pound bag of cat food. Donations will be collected at packet pickup for the St. Joseph Animal Shelter.
• Early starters must pick up their packets on Friday, October 22.
• For runners using the official start times, race-day packet pickup closes 30 minutes before the start of their race.

About the Course

The main course begins and ends near the entrance to Rosecrans Memorial Airport. One complete lap consists of 12.5 miles outbound and 12.5 miles returning along the same route, for a total of 25 miles.

• Elevation gain: Approximately 276 feet per 25-mile lap
• Surface: Approximately 5.5 miles of paved roads per lap, with the remainder on gravel or crushed-limestone levee trail
• No major road crossings

The route offers views of farmland, the Missouri River, and fall foliage. Runners may see wildlife, including deer and bald eagles.

Distance Formats

• 100-mile: Four 25-mile laps
• 50-mile: Two 25-mile laps
• 50K: One 25-mile lap plus an additional out-and-back totaling approximately 6.1 miles
• Marathon: One 25-mile lap plus a 1.2-mile finish loop
• Half marathon: Out-and-back to the turnaround at mile 6.55, for a total of 13.1 miles

Course Markings

• Turns are marked with yellow paint and signs.
• Directional arrows are posted at intersections.

Aid Stations, Drop Bags, Crew Support, Pacers

Staffed Aid Stations

Staffed aid stations will provide:

• Water, Gatorade, and soda
• Chips, pretzels, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• Fruit, including bananas and grapes
• Cookies, M&Ms, and other candy
• Hot coffee, soup, and warm food after sunset

Unstaffed Aid Stations

Unstaffed aid stations are located midway between staffed stations. They will have water and limited snacks, such as saltines and animal crackers.

First-Aid Supplies

All aid stations will have petroleum jelly, Neosporin, ibuprofen, and antacids.

Drop Bags

• 100-mile and 50-mile runners may use up to three drop bags.
• Bags intended for remote aid stations must be dropped off at Tubes Bike Shop during Friday packet pickup.
• Bags must be no larger than an airline carry-on.
• Clearly label each bag with the runner’s name, bib number, and intended aid station in large block letters.
• All drop bags will be returned to the Start–Finish by 12:00 noon on Sunday, October 24.

Crew Support

Crews may meet runners at these designated locations:

• Start–Finish
• Wathena
• Roseport Landing

Food, clothing, equipment, and other material support may be provided only at aid stations.

Crew vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering unpaved roads. Violations will result in the runner’s disqualification.

Pacers

• Pacers are allowed for 50-mile and 100-mile runners after completion of the first 25-mile lap.
• Pacers must wear a pacer bib, available at packet pickup in exchange for a bag of pet food.
• Only one pacer may accompany a runner at a time.
• Pacers may join or leave a runner at any staffed aid station except the first aid station on the course.
• Bicycles are not allowed on the course.
• Pacers must follow all race rules. Pacer violations will result in the runner’s disqualification.

Environmental Data

Typical temperatures around race weekend are daytime highs near 65°F and nighttime lows near 40°F. These are historical averages, not a forecast. Conditions can change quickly, so prepare for colder temperatures, wind, and rain.

The following astronomical times are for St. Joseph, Missouri, and are approximate. All times are Central Daylight Time (CDT). Local terrain, trees, and cloud cover affect usable light and visibility.

Friday, October 22, 2027

• Sunrise: 7:36 AM
• Sunset: 6:30 PM

Saturday, October 23, 2027

• Beginning of morning nautical twilight (BMNT): 6:38 AM
• Beginning of civil twilight: 7:10 AM
• Sunrise: 7:37 AM
• Sunset: 6:28 PM
• End of civil twilight: 6:56 PM
• End of evening nautical twilight (EENT): 7:27 PM
• Moonrise: 12:43 AM
• Moonset: 3:13 PM
• Moon phase: Waning crescent, approximately 41% illuminated

Sunday, October 24, 2027

• Moonrise: 1:57 AM
• Beginning of morning nautical twilight (BMNT): 6:39 AM
• Beginning of civil twilight: 7:11 AM
• Sunrise: 7:39 AM
• Moonset: 3:43 PM
• Sunset: 6:27 PM
• End of civil twilight: 6:55 PM
• End of evening nautical twilight (EENT): 7:26 PM
• Moon phase: Waning crescent, approximately 30% illuminated

Moon illumination percentages are calculated at lunar transit on each date. The moon will be below the horizon from Saturday afternoon until approximately 1:57 AM Sunday, so runners should expect no moonlight during the first portion of Saturday night.

Headlamps are required before sunrise and after sunset, regardless of twilight or moonlight.

Age, Registration, and Swag Policies

Minimum Ages

• 100-mile, 50-mile, and 50K: 18 years old
• Marathon: 15 years old; participants under 18 must have a parent or guardian present
• Half marathon: 12 years old; participants under 18 must have a parent or guardian present

Registration Policies

• No refunds, deferrals, or transfers.
• Distance changes are allowed before late registration closes on October 16, 2027.
• Identification is required at packet pickup.

Race Shirts, Medals, and Awards

Race shirts, medals, and awards are ordered in advance. Although every effort will be made to supply all items, availability may be limited for late registrants.

Rules and Runner Conduct

Our core principles are simple: Be Respectful. Be Responsible. Be Safe.

Be Respectful

• Be courteous to participants, volunteers, spectators, and members of the public.
• Say “please” and “thank you” often.
• Respect other people’s personal space and belongings.
• Keep aid stations tidy, and touch only the food and supplies you take.
• Remember that you are a competitor, not a customer. Treat everyone with kindness.

Be Responsible

• Wear your bib visibly at all times.
• Do not litter. Place all trash in designated containers.
• Make sure your crew and pacers follow all race rules.
• Use the portable toilets at staffed aid stations.
• Dogs are not allowed on the course, except ADA service animals. Leashed dogs are allowed in the Start–Finish area.

Be Safe

• Run against traffic and yield to vehicles.
• Stay on the marked course. If you drop out, notify a race official.
• Wear a headlamp before sunrise and after sunset.
• After dark, wear a reflective vest or belt providing at least 155 square inches of reflective material.
• Earbuds are discouraged. Stay alert to traffic, other runners, and your surroundings.
• 50-mile and 100-mile runners must check in at every staffed aid station.
• Provide a valid emergency contact number at packet pickup.

Additional Information:

• Park only in designated spaces at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.
• Primitive camping is allowed in the designated area. No public restrooms are available beyond the event’s facilities.

Explore St. Joseph before or after the race:

• St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau: https://stjomo.com/
• Explore St. Joseph: https://uncommoncharacter.com/
• St. Joseph Museums: https://stjosephmuseum.org
• Missouri Western State University: https://www.missouriwestern.edu
• St. Joseph Trail Alliance: https://www.saintjosephtrailalliance.com/
• City of St. Joseph: https://www.stjosephmo.gov/

Event's current local time: 3:06 PM CT