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Prairie Fire Marathon race photo

Prairie Fire Marathon

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Prairie Fire Marathon race photoWichita
US
Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0spacefem · CC BY-SA 2.0
Race date in 6 days
Oct 11, 2026 Sun
City · Distance
Wichita · 42.195km · 21.1km · 5km
Entry fee
$125Varies by event and entry period
Status
OpenTBD ~ Thu, October 8, 2026See how to enter ↗
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 5, 2026
Prairie Fire Marathon race photo
Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Prairie Fire Marathon race photo
spacefem · CC BY-SA 2.0
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Prairie Fire Marathon — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

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

Organised by the Wichita Sports Commission, this is Kansas’s leading running series.

The autumn event, held on the second Sunday of October, offers a marathon, half marathon and 5K.

The spring series takes place separately on May 2, 2027.

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.

Prairie Fire Marathon 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: 3
Reddit · r/runningRan in 2019 · Finish time 3:32:25
“The first half of the race was so, so good for me.”

After a long break from training with a knee injury, the runner eased back into longer distances before the race. They ran faster than their target pace through the flat first half, but hit the wall around mile 24, battling nausea and dehydration to finish in 3:32:25. They also described the two-lap course, the aid stations and pacers along it, and the finish-line area.

Read the original on Reddit · r/running
JimRan in 2012 · Finish time 3:48:55
“Overall, I had a great time in Wichita at a great race - I would highly recommend it!”

Jim fell apart badly after 22 miles because of a fast early pace, a high heart rate, and strong winds, but finished the Prairie Fire Marathon in 3:48:55.

Read the original on 50 after 40
JonRan in 2012 · Finish time 3:39:46
“My official chip time was 3:39:46.”

With limited training because of an injury, Jon managed his pace by heart rate and completed the 2012 Prairie Fire Marathon in 3:39:46. There were strong headwinds and uphill sections on race day, but he ran without seriously upsetting his pace. Looking back, he called it a smart race given the wind and course conditions.

Read the original on 2 Slow 4 Boston

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.

Prairie Fire Wichita Marathon 2012

Gino Salerno

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 Prairie Fire Marathon — 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.

Marathon

Entry cost $125

until Oct 8, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Half

Entry cost $95

until Oct 8, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

5K

Entry cost $45

until Oct 8, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Prairie Fire Marathon course map and elevation

The 42.195km I'll run

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

Runners start · local timeFrom 07:10
EventStartTime limit
Marathon42.195km07:106h 20m
Half21.0975km07:106h
5K5km07:301h 30m
START · FINISH

Equity Bank Park

Start · Google Maps
Show more

The Prairie Fire Marathon starts at Equity Bank Park in Wichita, Kansas, and finishes inside the stadium near third base.

Start line is on McLean Boulevard on the east side of the stadium, and the race begins with views of the Wichita skyline at sunrise along the Arkansas River.

Early in the race, you run east past Naftzger Park along Douglas Avenue,

pass the roundabout at Delrose and Pershing, continue to Town East Mall, and return along the same route.

The course then follows McLean Boulevard beside Exploration Place, Murdock Avenue, 13th Street, St. Paul Street,

and the riverfront trail before passing the Seneca and K-42 intersection and entering the stadium.

The route takes in downtown, older residential neighborhoods, parks, and the riverfront.

This flat, fast course is USATF-certified and qualifies for Boston Marathon qualifying times.

Formerly known as the Wichita Marathon, it held its first Prairie Fire fall marathon in 2010.

Over the past 15 years, more than 65,000 runners from all 50 states and more than 20 countries have taken part.

The live commentary from the finish announcer can be heard from half a mile away.

Typical race-season temperature: around 14°C (58°F)
Short sleeves or light long sleeves + arm warmers

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Pacers

Finisher medal

Bag drop

Where and when to collect your Prairie Fire Marathon 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 2025 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

Equity Bank Park, 9:00 am–5:00 pm on Saturday, 10 October

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

Start/finish is at Equity Bank Park, downtown Wichita, KS — reachable by car, rideshare, or on foot from downtown hotels.

No rail transit in Wichita.

Date confirmed Sunday, Oct 11, 2026.

Walking or rideshare from downtown hotels is practical.

Getting to the finish

Same as start — Equity Bank Park, downtown Wichita.

More details

No dedicated runner shuttle documented;

race-day parking directed to lot south of Century II Performing Arts Center.

Source · checked Aug 22, 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 marathon and half marathon start together at 7:10 am on Sunday, 11 October 2026, and full marathon closes at 1:30 pm.

If you finish later than the 6-hour pace cut-off, you must use the sidewalk and obey traffic signals after 1:30 pm.

Packet Pickup takes place only at Equity Bank Park, 300 S. Sycamore, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, 10 October.

There is no race-day pickup or mailing service.

Someone else may pick up your packet if they have a copy of your photo ID and an authorization note.

The expo is open at the same time, so you can buy any missing supplies there.

Downtown parking is free on Sunday.

The Century II parking garage and the city parking lot south of the Hyatt are recommended.

The parking lots close at exactly 7:00 am, so arrive early.

Full marathon has 18 aid station stations offering Gatorade and water, and some stations also provide GU gels.

There are portable toilets at every aid station.

Only clear bags are permitted inside the stadium.

Times are local to Wichita. 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.

Hotels near the Prairie Fire Marathon start line in Wichita

Hotels that make race morning easy

7 places

Distances are straight-line from the start/finish area.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

The start and finish are in the same place
We picked stays around that one spot.

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Time for you, before and after the finish

2 experiences

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

Wichita car rental (EconomyBookings)

Compare rates from various rental car companies, self-drive (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Make reservation after checking price

View on EconomyBookings

Wichita Car Rental (Qeeq)

Compare budget-friendly rental cars with a free-cancellation option (check the price when booking) · Check price and book

View on Qeeq
Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing Wichita 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 Wichita.

Total cost and budget for Prairie Fire Marathon

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 Prairie Fire Marathon

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Wichita runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Prairie Fire Marathon

FAQ
When does Prairie Fire Marathon 2026 take place?

It takes place on Sun, October 11, 2026 in Wichita, KS, United States.

How much is the Prairie Fire Marathon 2026 entry fee?

The main event costs $125.

What distances does Prairie Fire Marathon 2026 offer?

Marathon · Half · 5K.

What time does Prairie Fire Marathon 2026 start?

The race starts at 07:10.

Where does Prairie Fire Marathon 2026 finish?

Equity Bank Park.

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