The opportunity to run longer distances drew more Kansas runners in 2024 as seven ultrarunning events with distances longer than the standard marathon of 26.2 miles were on the calendar.

The seven events offered runners 21 distances to choose from on courses certified by USA Track & Field, and more races resulted in more finishers and faster times.

After a hiatus of six years, the Kansas Ultrarunners Society’s 6/12/24-hour run was held on a certified course in Valley Center, in this case a 400-meter track that is convenient for runners and support crews alike.

The Ollie’s Ultra in Chanute, new last year, added a 24-hour option that produced Kansas records for both men and women.

Earth Day Buckle Mania in Abilene, in its second year, featured a women’s Kansas record at 48 hours.

The most popular distance again was the 5K, with 32 races including 19 stand-alone runs, not held in conjunction with other races.

In addition to the ultras and the 5Ks, 46 other races were held, including 16 half-marathons, 10 at the 10K distance, and eight marathons.

The Octagon of Doom 8K in Manhattan was the first 5-mile/8K since 2020 at what was once a very popular race distance.

The Mile Zero Flint Hills 50K includes a 20-mile run, a standard but rarely run distance, as well as a 10-mile race, one of only two in the state along with the Wichita Turkey Trot 10-mile.
No races were held at the standard distances of 12K, 15K, and 25K, and there were only two 1-mile races and three at 2 miles and 4 miles.

Wichita held 14 race events on certified courses in 2024, by far the most of any city. There were five in Lawrence, four in Manhattan, and three each in Ottawa, Overland Park, and Salina. Only two were held in Topeka, the home to many races in years past.

We encourage race directors to consider holding runs at these distances, perhaps pairing them with a longer distance such as a marathon or half-marathon instead of “just another 5K.”

We also encourage race directors and sponsors to offer prize-money awards for top finishers and record-setters as the Bill Snyder Half-Marathon, the Irish Mile, the Salina Crossroads Marathon, and the runLawrence Thanksgiving Day run have done.

And once again, we encourage runners to give preference to races held on USATF-certified courses. Experienced race directors usually specify on their websites whether their courses are certified, which is an indication that the race is doing more than the bare minimum to provide a safe, accurate course that serves the runners’ interests.