Flat Branch Ultra

Flat Branch Ultra (50K) – Start in Columbia, MO, home to the approximately 400-year-old Bur Oak. Race along the Missouri River and beneath towering bluffs while watching for soaring eagles. This rails-to-trails adventure kicks off at 8 a.m. on the third Saturday in February. Start/Finish Line: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at 800 West Stadium Blvd, Columbia, Missouri 65203. Only 125 spots are available, and we anticipate a sellout. The race is named after Flat Branch Creek, a vital water source for early settlers. The tree in our logo represents the nearly 400-year-old Bur Oak that can be seen about 8.5 miles into the race. At the start, competitors will head southwest on the MKT (Missouri-Kansas-Texas) Trail for about 7.5 miles before intersecting the Katy Trail just west of McBaine. From there, they will head west on the Katy Trail. The Halfway Home aid station is located just east of Rocheport–past the I-70 bridge. This course is an out and back. Route Map: https://www.strava.com/activities/12519245012 The race debuted in 2022 as a November event, starting and ending at Flat Branch City Park in Columbia, Missouri. In 2024, the race moved to February. In 2025, the start/finish line was relocated to MLK Memorial Park in Columbia, Missouri. In 2026, the Flat Branch Ultra course will become USATF-certified — your chance to chase a 50K state record! Along the course, participants pass the iconic, approximately 400-year-old Bur Oak — a living landmark and the inspiration for our logo.