Inaugural Hawk Marathon / 50 mile / 100 mile Trail Run
Race date: September 8, 2012
Start time: 06:00 AM
Race distance: 26.2 miles / 50 mile / 100 mi
Race details:
50 and 100 start at 6am. Marathon starts at 7am.
All three races are run on a 25 mile loop which is 90% wooded and 10% open area. This is a deceptively challenging course. The elevation will add up and the rocks and roots will require your attention. That said, Clinton Lake is a beautiful venue to run at with extremely well-marked and well-maintained trails to enjoy.
Marathoners will cover the extra 1.2 miles before heading onto the loop for their race. It’s most likely to be all uphill on a Slip ‘N Slide, or something equally nefarious.
The course has three aid stations, one at the start/finish, one at Lands End and one at West Park Road, both of which runners will go through twice. Longest distance between aid stations will be West Park Road to Land’s End – approx 6 miles. Shortest distance between aid stations will be approx 2 miles, when the runners do an out-and-back up Bunker Hill from West Park Road.
Aid stations will have most everything you’d expect at an ultra along with limited options for the vegans among you. The one thing I’d suggest you carry with you or put in a drop bag is S-caps and whatever flavor of GU doesn’t make you puke after a long day of running.
Each aid station will be staffed by experienced ultrarunners and crew who will be more than happy to pop your blisters, feed you M&Ms, tell you you look great when you really don’t, and kick you out when you’ve been lounging for too long.
There will be two drop bag locations not including the start/finish. Drop bags at Lands End will be accessible twice each loop as well drop bags at West Park Road. We learned our lesson the first year and won’t share the contents of your drop bag with the local Raccoon population.
Crews can see their runners at the start/finish and at the West Park Road aid station (approx mile 12). Your crew WILL have to purchase a park pass in order to access the West Park Road aid station! Daily passes go for just under $5.00.
Pacers are allowed after 50 miles or 8 hours and may join at either the start/finish or at West Park Road. If you’re an out-of-towner and are looking for a local pacer drop a note in the comments and we’ll do our best to find you a date guaranteed to spend the rest of the night with you – can’t beat that.
100 milers may drop to the 50 during the race but won’t qualify for any awards. 100 milers may also drop to the 50 or marathon before the race begins, 50 milers may drop to the marathon before the race begins. 50 milers may not drop to the marathon during the race.
The weather in Kansas in September is, at best, unpredictable. It may be as hot as 100 degrees or nearly freezing. It may have been raining constantly the two weeks leading up to the race or it may not have rained all summer. Anticipate anything and bring an extra pair of socks.
The top three male and female finishers in each race will receive awards. Sub 24-hour 100 mile finishers will receive a special belt buckle, 24–32 hour 100 mile finishers will receive a belt buckle, 50 mile finishers will receive a special award, and marathon finishers will receive a medal.
There will be a required pre-race briefing and dinner for the 50 and 100 mile entrants the night before the race. Marathon entrants are more than welcome to attend. We will provide the main course(s) (pasta/burgers/hot dogs), we just ask that you bring a side to share. The dinner will be at the start/finish and will begin at either 6 or 7pm.
We (and the runners) always appreciate volunteers. If you’re interested, contact co-RD Coleen Voeks: pigtailultrarunner@gmail.com.
Camping: TBD
Course map: Coming
Parking: Coming
We have no official course records, as this is the first year doing the four loop course. I would like to point out the 2011 male and female winners times: male – Norman Decelles 23:15:30 and female – Coleen Shaw-Voeks 29:23:06.
Last update: 2012–02-14
Awards: See description.
Cut off time: 32 hours for the 100 and the 50.
Location:
Clinton Lake - Corps of Engineers parking lot.
View Hawk Marathon/50/100 start/finish in a larger map
Contact: Danny Miller
Phone: 678-522-8169
Email: danrdanny@gmail.com
Registration: Registration for the Hawk Hundred is online and open at ultrasignup.com.
Until August 9th prices are $50 for the marathon, $65 for the 50 mile, and $120 for the 100 mile. After Aug 9th prices increase to $70 for the marathon, $75 for the 50 mile, and $140 for the 100 mile. Lawrence Trail Hawks members receive a discount on registration.
All registrants get a shirt and various other schwag items that you'll soon find you won't be able to live without.
For online registration click here.
Packet Pickup:
Packet pickup will be at Garry Gribble’s in Lawrence on Thursday Sept 6th (time TBD) and at the pre-race briefing on Friday at Clinton Lake. We will do a KC area packet-pickup also, location/time TBD. Finally, you can get your packet on race morning.
Lodging: Lodging information can be found here.
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I am thinking of making this event my first 50 mile race. Can you tell me more what "special award" is for the 50 milers? Honestly, I really like a metal for my first 50 mile race. :)
medal not metal. Doh!
The finisher's award for the 50 is a hand-thrown blue pottery coffee mug, emblazoned with the "Hawk 50," "50 miles as the Hawk flies," and the all-important word -- "finisher." Much nicer than a medal, since you can drink your coffee out of it each morning, and be constantly reminded of your awesomeness.
Ed, I have a mug from running the 50 last year. I can attest to the satisfaction gained from being reminded of my awesomeness as I guzzle my third cup of coffee each day.
Cool I love the design on the site. Is that the shirt design for the 50 miler too?
Thanks Lisa. Indeed that is the same artwork that will be on all three of our t-shirt distances this year.
My question would be this.....I have finished 2-100 milers in the alloted amount of time, so if I am NOT in the first 24 finishers I don't get a belt buckle????
That is confusing, I'll re-word it. All sub 24-hour finishers will get one type of belt buckle. All 24-32 hour finishers will get another type of buckle.
What is the elevation gain there???? Utra runner has this as a a level 1 for elevation and a level 3 for terrain....is that correct, that it is relatively flat???
No sure what the elevation gain/loss is, but certainly not significant compared to mountain races. If I had to guess, I'd say a few thousand feet over the course of a 25-mile lap. Maybe a touch more up and down than Rocky Raccoon, but nowhere near Heartland. Some up and down, and a small hill climb at either end of the course. Terrain varies from runnable to extremely technical ~ I think 1 and 3 are accurate ratings.
Quick couple questions on the 50 miler. I'm planning on this being my first 50. I see the pacers are allowed after "50 miles or 8 hours", is that the case for both the 100 and the 50 or can 50 milers have a pacer earlier? That would seem to eliminate the possibility of a pacer for 50 milers. Also, are there cut off times for the 50 miler? If so, can you tell me what they are? I'm very excited about the event, so I'm try to get my plans nailed down so I'm ready!!!
Pacers won't be allowed for the 50-miler, only for the 100-miler. Sorry I wasn't clear about that in the description. The cutoff for the 50 will be the same as the 100, so 32 hours.
Cool, thanks Danny! Maybe I'll just make someone sign up and run the whole thing with me then!!! I really can't wait for this race!
I am also debating this being my first 50 miler. I think first timers should be able to have a pacer the last 20 miles. I am sure the logic for not allowing a pacer is for the top runners and not the newbies.
Is there a time limit for the marathon. I am a 70 year old slow runner and will need to walk the extremely technical part.
Hi Jim, no time limit. Well, finish in 32 hours, as the 100-mile cutoff is 33 hours and the marathon starts an hour after the 100 and the 50.
What airport would you suggest flying into for the race?
Good question Emily. Kansas City - MCI. It's about 45 minutes to the lake from the airport.