Prairie Spirit Trail Marathon Race Review

Paula and I traveled to Ottawa, Kansas on Friday the day before the Prairie Spirit Trail marathon, half marathon, 100 miler, 50 miler, 50K, 100K. This was more of an ultra-race than our traditional marathon. Packet pickup was at the race start and was easy to find. Our friends Lee and Suzanne were not able to travel with us because of health issues and family issues. Unfortunately, the race director was not willing to defer their race entry to next year.

On race morning, we returned to the start for a brief meeting. Then we boarded a bus to travel a few minutes to the marathon start. Some of the other races started at the start/finish line.

Once we arrived at the marathon start, we were able to start whenever ready by crossing the first timing mat. Our course headed north for about half a mile and then turned around to head south. The Prairie Spirt Trail is a rails to trails path with crushed gravel. The course is lined by trees but at this time of the year, there were very few leaves. The path was well maintained as there was little trash and few twigs sticking out onto the path. The path crosses numerous roads some of which are gravel.

About six miles into the run, we reached our first aid station which included a buffet inside of a tent. This was the first opportunity for bathroom facilities also. We saw several people jump on and off the trail into the adjacent fields.

The second aid station was at about mile twelve and a half. We were looking for the marathon turn around which was supposed to be at this aid station at mile thirteen, but we didn't see any signs. So, we pressed on. We went about a mile farther and decided we had missed our turn around. When we returned to the aid station, we asked and were informed that we should have turned around. There were no signs nor anyone looking at our race distance on our bibs letting us know. It is the athlete's responsibility to know the course…so we are not blaming the volunteers. But one volunteer did use her foot to scratch a line across the path where we were standing.

The course is almost entirely flat and straight with the scenery consisting of bare fields ready to be planted.

The finisher medal consisted of a reasonable size belt buckle. Can we wear a race belt buckle for anything less than a 50K?  We did run more than 26.2 miles.  To each his own.

The post-race food included baked potatoes and scrambled eggs. These were both really nice after a long day on the trail.

Overall, the race was easy, flat, and well organized except for the missing turn around sign. We provided this feedback to the race director who said the volunteers had turn around signs and must have forgotten to put them up.  Being race directors ourselves, we know there are many details and much dependence on volunteers.  Races could not be held without generous volunteers.

Kansas is in the books.