About the Course
The course was newly certified for 2013 and slightly different than it has been over the last 10 years. The differences are the start has been moved a few feet south, the course around mile 4 has been altered to eliminate going through the 37th and Wanamaker intersection, and the finish is now at a location just entering Auburn near the Homestead Assisted Living facility.
USATF course certification number: KS12031TR
The starting line is directly outside the west door of Fairlawn Plaza Shopping Center on Chelsea Drive. The course starts by heading south on Chelsea Drive, turning west onto 25th Street proceeding over the I-470 bypass, turns south onto Arrowhead Road passing the one-mile mark before going through 29th Street. Follow Arrowhead Road south as it curves around onto 33rd Street heading east. Continue east on 33rd Street and turn south onto Fairlawn Road and the two mile location, follow Fairlawn Road south turning west onto 37th Street, turn south onto Belle Avenue, turn east just before the third mile onto Clarion Park Drive following it as it curves around heading south. At 38th Street, turn west proceeding through Belle Avenue, which is the highest point in Clarion Hills and after proceeding down the hill turn northwest onto Spring Creek Lane. Follow Spring Creek Lane as it connects onto Spring Creek Drive heading back south and passing mile 4 to 38th Street. Turn right, heading west on 38th Street, cross Wanamaker Road at 38th Street and continue west, turn north onto Stoneybrook Drive as it angles back to 37th Street.
Head west on 37th Street and turn south onto Nottingham Road and follow it past mile five as it turns west and becomes 40th Street. Turn south off 40th Street at Urish Road and continue heading south on Urish Road for the next three and 1/2 miles, with Urish Hill looming shortly after mile 6. Continue south on Urish Road past miles 7 and 8, where the pavement ends at 61st Street and the next four miles become true country roads, which may be hard-packed or may be covered with gravel and may or may not be ice and or snow covered. Shortly after the ninth mile turn west onto 69th Street. The ten-mile mark is located on 69th Street before turning south onto Indian Hills Road. Continue south on Indian Hills Road two miles passing miles 11 and 12 before turning west onto 85th Street, which is back to pavement. It's now less than one mile to the finish as you encounter the last two hills and the 13th mile location along 85th Street heading toward Auburn. Turn south onto Harrison Street and then a quick left onto East Valley Springs Drive to the finish line.
Four aid stations with water and Gatorade will be spaced along the course.
Here are driving directions to the race start from google maps:
- Start at: 2121 SW Chelsea Dr Topeka, KS 66614
- Head north on SW Chelsea Dr toward SW 21st St - 177 ft
- Turn left at SW 21st St - 3.7 mi
- Turn left at SW Auburn Rd/KS-4 Continue to follow SW Auburn Rd - 8.0 mi
- Continue on Washington St - 0.2 mi
- Turn right at W 11th St - 79 ft
- Arrive at: 121 W 11th St Auburn, KS 66402
