Flat Branch Ultra

This is a rails-to-trails out-and-back course starting from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Columbia, Missouri, at 800 West Blvd. The race is named after Flat Branch Creek, a vital water source for early settlers. More on the history of the area can be found here. The tree in our logo represents the nearly 400-year-old Burr Oak that can be seen about 8.5 miles into the race. “It stands alone—no other tree is within 1,000 feet. As the largest burr oak tree in Missouri, it shares the title of national champion (largest) of the species, Quercus macrocarpa, with another in Kentucky.” (Source: NPS.gov) 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 turnaround is located just east of Rocheport, just past the I-70 bridge. The complete Strava route will be posted soon. The course will showcase the Missouri River, bluffs, and other spectacular natural and man-made features. Cutoff: Competitors must reach the turnaround aid station by noon.