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FlatRock race photo

FlatRock

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

USSeptember 202750km
Tim Kiser · CC BY-SA 4.0
Race date Sep expected
September 2027
City · Distance
Independence · 50km
Entry fee
$160From the 2026 edition
2027Date September 2027 · expected · Soon
2026Date Sep 26, 2026 · Entry ~ Sep 23, 2026 · Entry fee $55 · Start 07:00
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 8, 2026
FlatRock race photo
Tim Kiser · CC BY-SA 4.0
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About FlatRock — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

It is a technical course, mostly singletrack, that goes out and back on the Elk River trail.

The course passes limestone cliffs, rock formations, and scenic overlooks, and the distance is precisely measured.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

FlatRock runner reviews and race reports

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 1
@chasing42Ran in 2014
“This trail was dangerous in broad daylight.”

At the FlatRock 101km, the runner struggled with a rugged, rocky course and heat. Concern about continuing in the dark led to dropping out at around 46 miles.

Read the original on Chasing 42

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Full recap

Lawson Stout · Full recap

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter FlatRock — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

From the 2026 edition
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

FlatRock course map and elevation

The 50km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

From the 2026 edition
Runners start · local timeFrom 07:00
Time limit12 hours
Show more

50K/25K 12 hours, 12K 5 hours, 5K 2 hours (50K turnaround point 5 hours)

EventStartTime limit
Ultra07:0012h
5K5km07:152h
Other12km07:155h
Other25km07:0012h
START · FINISH

Elk City Lake / Outlet Channel Shelter, Independence, KS

Start · Google Maps

The 50K, 25K, 12K, and 5K events are held together.

Start line is based in Independence, KS, with a 7:00 AM local start.

Field size
Participant limit: 175 for the 50K and 75 for the 25K

Participant benefits

Not yet confirmed in the official race guide

Where and when to collect your FlatRock race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

It is the oldest trail ultra in Kansas.
Dinner (vegetarian and gluten-free options available) is provided for Friday packet pickup.
9/25 (Fri) 17:00~20:00 (including the spaghetti pre-race dinner) · 9/26 (Sat) 05:30~before the start

Outlet Channel Group Shelter (race headquarters), north side of the Elk City Lake dam, Independence, KS

Google Maps

Stations & transport near the venue

  • Getting to the startOutlet Channel Group Shelter, north side of Elk City Lake dam, near Independence, KS
  • IC cardNo dedicated reloadable transit card; nearby Salem's Cherriots bus system uses the Umo app or day-pass…

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

Outlet Channel Group Shelter, north side of Elk City Lake dam, near Independence, KS

Note: race is in Independence, KANSAS, not Oregon. Rural lake/dam trailhead area — no public transit, car access only.

Official ultrasignup page confirms date (Sep 26, 2026) and venue directly.

Map

Getting to the finish

Same as start — out-and-back course along Elk River Hiking Trail

Finish co-located with start/race headquarters.

Map

IC card

No dedicated reloadable transit card; nearby Salem's Cherriots bus system uses the Umo app or day-pass rather than a physical smart card, and it doesn't serve the Independence trailhead, so car access applies for race day.

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

The Outlet Channel Group Shelter, north of the Elk City Lake dam, serves as race headquarters.

The 50K starts at 7:30 AM and the 25K at 8:30 AM, with time limit finish cut-offs of 10 hours and 9 hours, respectively.

The field is limited to 175 runners for the 50K and 75 for the 25K, so the races may sell out early.

Campsites with electricity and showers are available near start line, while motels are in downtown Independence, about 11 km from the race venue.

Registration is through UltraSignup.

Times are local to Independence. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Time for you, before and after the finish

View all →

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Tulsa｜Private Airport Pickup/Drop-Off Service at Tulsa International Airport

$222

View on Klook
Hotels that make race morning easyDistances are straight-line from the start.View on mapEating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing Independence with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Distances and ratings for food and sights come from the place provider, and experiences are travel products in Independence.

Total cost and budget for FlatRock

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · YesimFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about FlatRock

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Independence runners' room

Frequently asked questions about FlatRock

FAQ
When does FlatRock 2027 take place?

Not officially announced yet.

It's expected in September 2027;

the 2026 race was held on Sat, September 26, 2026.

How much is the FlatRock 2027 entry fee?

Not announced yet. The 2026 race entry fee was about $55.

What is the time limit for FlatRock 2027?

50K/25K 12 hours, 12K 5 hours, 5K 2 hours (50K turnaround point 5 hours).

(From the 2026 edition)

What distances does FlatRock 2027 offer?

Ultra. (From the 2026 edition)

What time does FlatRock 2027 start?

The race starts at 07:00. (From the 2026 edition)

Where does FlatRock 2027 start?

Elk City Lake / Outlet Channel Shelter, Independence, KS.

(From the 2026 edition)

Where does FlatRock 2027 finish?

Elk City Lake / Outlet Channel Shelter, Independence, KS.

(From the 2026 edition)

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