3rd Annual KUS 6/12/24 Hour Run
Race Director's Report
Timed events are weird and
unusual. Seems like they are making a sort of a comeback in the last few years
with new races popping up. The mental challenge seems to be the hardest part,
especially for those attempting 24 hours and 100 miles. As a race director the
logistics of a timed event on a 1.35 mile loop course couldn’t get any easier.
But surprisingly there is still plenty to do all year to pull of a successful
event, which I believe this year’s event was indeed!
The 3rd annual
Kansas Ultrarunners’ Society 6/12/24 Hour Run was held Saturday, November 14 at Chapin Park in south Wichita, Kansas. The city park has a 1.35 mile loop of
mostly gravel and dirt on top of an old city landfill. The weather this year
was similar to 2013, warm and windy during the day. The night temperatures were
chilly and windy but moderately nice for the time of year.
We had registrants from 9
states and Canada. 25 buckles were
awarded altogether including 6 in the 24 hour which is the most ever by far!
The highest mileage this year was 109 miles. A great blog report from the 100-Mile Finisher from Nebraska, Jeff Gregg: bostonbounddad.blogspot.com/2015/11/kus-24-hour-100-mile-run.html. Full results from 2015 Race:
ozendurance.net/race-results/3rd-annual-kus-61224-hour-run-wichita-ks/.
Of course my favorite part
of the race is the runners. People who show up to a timed loop course event
like this are the best of the best that the ultrarunning world has to offer, in
my opinion. They are gracious, grateful, fun and a little crazy too. We had
plenty of excellent volunteers help out this year and Sherri Rider once again
captained the aid station for the whole 24 hours!
Dates for the 4th
annual race have been tentatively set for Saturday, November 14th.
The location will be determined later. A few changes to 2016 include quarter zip
jackets for all entrants (instead of long sleeve shirt) and participant awards
for everyone who at least completes a 50K. The same great buckle will be at the
finish line for 50K, 50 mile and 100 mile. I hope to be able to return the race
to Buffalo Park but don’t know yet what the new condition of the park and trail
will be after the new construction there is complete. Hopefully we will know by
early next year.
Pictures from 2015 and
periodic updates for 2016 available on our Facebook page: facebook.com/61224HourRunKUS.
