Heartland 50

• Shirts and awards: all finishers receive a Sport-Tek tank top and a finisher's award.
• Heartland 50 Mile Double: complete the spring 50-mile or 50K and any other distance at Heartland in October to earn the doubler award.
• Free race day pictures: photos are available for free download by runners shortly after the event.

Drop bag service is available at all manned aid stations. All drop bags must be clearly marked with runner name and bib number, and dropped at the start/finish staging area by 5:30am on race day.

50 mile

There are 5 manned aid stations, plus several unmanned water-only stations. Crews have access at 3 points on the course. All 3 manned aid stations can be used as drop bag locations, giving you access to your drop bags 5 times.

50K

There are 3 manned aid stations, plus unmanned water-only stations. You have access to drop bags 3 times at the manned aid stations. Crews have access to you at the turnaround aid station.

The Heavy 25K

There is 1 manned aid station at the halfway point and turnaround, plus unmanned water-only stations. You have access to your drop bag at the halfway point and turnaround aid station, but there is no crew access there.

Crew vehicles are not allowed on any portion of the Heartland 50 course during the race, except as noted in these directions. All recommended crew roads are paved or good gravel roads.

Start/finish to Lapland

1. Proceed north through Cassoday on 177.
2. Turn right on Sunbarger and proceed east on the last blacktop road on the north edge of Cassoday for approximately 12.75 miles.
3. Turn right on G50 Rd (at the transformer) and proceed south for 3.3 miles to the Lapland Aid Station.

Lapland to Teterville Road

1. Turn around and proceed north 3.3 miles back to the Teterville Road intersection.
2. Turn right and proceed east 5 miles to the aid station.

Crew and pacer responsibility

• Runners are responsible for the actions of their crew and pacers.
• Crews are not allowed on any section of the course during the race.
• No littering.
• All pets and animals must be leashed at all times.
• If your runner drops from the race, double check they have followed the proper procedures.
• Due to the normally dry grass in the fall and the fire danger, there is no smoking on the course.

• Start time: 6am sharp.
• 15 hour cutoff for all distances.
• 50 mile runners must reach the 25 mile turnaround in 7 hours (1PM).
• Intermediate cutoffs on the return 25 mile leg: TBA.

Packet pickup is race day only at the Cassoday Community Center from 4:30 to 5:30am on Saturday, May 2nd. Race briefing is at 5:45 and the start is at 6am sharp.

Cassoday is located off Interstate 35, 34 miles south of Emporia and 22 miles north of El Dorado. The two nearest commercial airports are Wichita (55 miles southwest) and Kansas City (146 miles northeast).

Limited camping is available at Cassoday City Park, with drinking water and outdoor toilets, free of charge for runners. Additional camping is available at El Dorado State Park, about 20 miles south of Cassoday, for a small fee. A KOA campground is also located in Emporia.

Cassoday

• Cassoday Motel and RV Hookup, 302 E Main, Cassoday, KS, Ph: 620 735-4317 (very limited number of rooms)

Campgrounds

• El Dorado State Park, 618 NE Bluestem Rd, El Dorado, Kansas 67042, Ph: (316) 321-7180
• KOA Campground, W Highway 50, Emporia, KS, Ph: (316) 342-2236

Motels

• Emporia (34 miles north on I-35)
• El Dorado (22 miles south on I-35)
• Wichita (40 miles south on I-35)

• No pacers allowed.

Dogs are not allowed on the course. Parts of the course are open range with cattle grazing loose, and the uncertain reactions between cattle and dogs mean dogs are prohibited on the course. Crews may bring a dog to aid stations on a leash, but not out on the course.

Even if you feel good and don't need anything, find the volunteer with the clipboard and make sure your bib number is recorded before running on. It is the runner's responsibility to get checked in and have your bib number written down.

If you run on by shouting your number, don't assume you were heard. If you get missed, it is your fault, not the volunteers', if you get disqualified.

• Numbers must be worn on the front and outside of what you are wearing.
• Runners are responsible for checking in their number at each aid station. Do not run past any aid station without checking in.
• Entries are non-transferable.
• Absolutely no littering. This course runs on county roads and through private property, and we do not want to jeopardize our ability to use this land.
• Runners are responsible for the actions of their crews.
• Excessive alcohol consumption will not be tolerated at KUS events. This applies to everyone present. Violators will be asked to leave the race venue. Runners may be disqualified due to the actions of their crews, pacers or spectators.
• You may not stash supplies along the course.
• Any runner dropping out must immediately notify the nearest aid station or race management at the start/finish area.
• Runners accepting a ride for any reason are deemed out of the race and may not re-enter.
• Cutoff times are nonnegotiable. Runners must depart the aid station by the listed cutoff time.
• All runners must abide by the directions of race management.
• Run facing oncoming traffic.
• Violations of any rule are grounds for disqualification. Race management may bar any runner from this and future KUS races.
• Ties are placed alphabetically.
• Decisions of race management are final.

Average lows are in the 50s and average highs are in the 60s and 70s this time of year, but this is Kansas in the spring, so be prepared for anything.

The course is marked on the road itself with metal washers tied with ribbon. As long as there is no rain, some turns will have flour markings, also on the road itself.

• Do not chase the cattle. You may encounter livestock on the road. They may be curious, gather around you, or run toward you from a distance.
• Remain calm. The cattle are gentle animals. The safest way to proceed is to walk through the herd, as they will move out of your way.
• Running and shouting will cause the animals to scatter quickly, and there is always the possibility you will be in each other's path.