Race Note | Flat Branch Ultra | Ha Ha Racing Events

Flat Branch Ultra
2026 Race Note

Hello Flat Branch Ultra runners!

Race day is almost here. Please read this note closely and plan to arrive early so you have plenty of time to park, pick up your packet, use the restroom, and be fully ready for the 8:00 a.m. start.

Packet Pickup (Race Day Only)

Packet pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. at the start/finish line:

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
800 West Stadium Blvd, Columbia, MO 65203

There is an open-air parking and portable restrooms near the start/finish area. Please allow extra time for parking and check-in.

National Anthem

We will play the National Anthem shortly before the start of the race. Please be near the start line and ready to go.

USATF Waiver (Required — No Exceptions)

Because Flat Branch Ultra is a USATF-sanctioned and certified 50K, every runner must complete and sign the USATF waiver. To save time on race morning, you will receive the waiver by email in advance. Please sign it ahead of time and return it via email if possible. This will speed up packet pickup for everyone.

What You’ll Receive at Packet Pickup

Your race packet includes:

Race bib
Flat Branch Ultra sticker
Flat Branch Ultra coffee mug

Quick “Bring With You” Checklist

It’s always a good idea to bring:

Toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Safety pins
Basic First Aid Kit
Gels (no gels at the aid stations)
Cupless event: Bring hydration vest or handheld

Course Navigation (Please Read)

The course is not marked, so please study the course map closely.

Here’s a Strava file: https://www.strava.com/activities/16388229590
Uploading this route to your GPS watch will help you stay on course. This is a rails-to-trails course. The course begins and ends on the MKT section. The other section is the Katy Trail.

Having said that, the course is fairly straightforward:

The MKT Trail is the first section. The MKT will have trail markers that count down to zero (every .25 miles). See pic below. Look for these markers while on the MKT.
- Zero is located at the Katy Trail. That intersection is also known as Hindman’s Junction. See pic below.
- The MKT portion is approximately 7.5 miles.
Once you hit the Katy Trail, you will head west (toward Rocheport).
Coming back, don’t miss your turn back onto the MKT—otherwise you’ll end up heading toward St. Louis. (We suspect you’ll figure that out well before you get to St. Louis.)

While we say the course won’t be marked, there will be a few directional signs (very few–see pic below). Once you’re on the Katy Trail, you’re running a straight arrow. The MKT section has more turns—but as long as you’re watching for those MKT markers every 0.25 mile counting down to zero as you approach the Katy Trail, you’ll be just fine.

Restrooms on Course

We’re working with the City of Columbia to maximize restroom access along the route.

Restrooms available:

Start/Finish (MLK Memorial Park) – restrooms available
Forum Nature Center (on course) – planned access at mile 1.2 and mile 29.7
Scott Blvd restrooms – we’re working with the city to have these open (mile 3.3 and 27.7)

Portable restroom:

Bur Oak Aid Station – mile 8.5 and mile 22.5

Important note:

No restrooms at Halfway Home Aid Station (mile 15.5)

Cutoffs

Runners must reach Halfway Home Aid Station by 12:00 p.m. (noon)
All runners must be off the course before dark
If you drop from the race, please notify someone at the nearest aid station. We must account for all runners. Safety is extremely important to all of us.
Pacers will remain behind the last runner to ensure everyone's safety. They will be wearing pacer bibs.

Aid Stations + Drop Bags

Aid Stations

Start/Finish (MLK Memorial Park) – mile 0 and 31
Scott Blvd – mile 3.3 and 27.7
Bur Oak – mile 8.5 and 22.5
Halfway Home – mile 15.5

Drop Bags
Look for the drop bag sign at the start/finish line. Drop bags will be transported to Halfway Home Aid Station and returned to the start/finish after the last runner checks in.

Halfway Home check-in is mandatory:
All runners must check in with the Halfway Home Aid Station captain. Failure to check in will result in disqualification.

Reminder: Runners, it is your responsibility to make sure the Halfway Home Aid Station captain sees your bib number and logs it. Please check in by calling out your bib number as you approach the person with the clipboard.