I ran the Hawk Hundred 50 mile race as my first 50 mile trail race. The race is held on a 25-mile loop of trails in Clinton Park just outside of Lawrence, KS. Other distances offered are the marathon (1 loop plus an additional out and back to complete the 26.2 miles) and a 100 mile distance.

The Lawrence TrailHawks is the group responsible for running this race, and the RDs are beyond amazing. From the day I first signed up, I became a part of their "family" even though I live in another state. The race Facebook page was a flurry of activity, introducing new racers as they signed up, providing updates on trail conditions and weather. Two friends ran this with me as our first 50 miler, and by the time arrived at the Friday night expo/race briefing/ pre-race dinner, we felt like we knew many of the runners and organizers. How amazing are the RDs? hen the last of my friends was coming through toward the finish, her gear bag from a remote aid station had not yet made its way back. I asked the RD what our wait time might be, and she immediately sent a runner out to that station to retrieve the bag and bring it back for us. At 1:30 in the morning!

The course is a mix of very technical and rocky single track, smooth dirt, rooty single-track, and there is even a grassy knoll section, half-way through each loop, which includes some of the most climbing in the race, but the grassy surface was a welcome relief to my tired feet. There are 2 aid stations on the course (plus the start/finish area) and although the race is a loop, the aid stations are set up so that you encounter each of them 2 times per loop. The food offered at the aid stations was awesome and the volunteers at the aid stations were beyond amazing! One of my friends got a rock in her shoe and the volunteer at one of the aid stations sat her down, took off her shoe, shook out the rock, put her shoe back on and laced it up... all without hesitation and without delay. They were simply amazing.

I have run over 60 races and, in my opinion, this is one of the best events I have ever attended. It has totally spoiled me with respect to what I now expect from every other race, Race Director, and aid station.

If you are looking for a trail marathon, 50 miler or 100 miler, I would strongly suggest that you run this event. It exceeded all expectations.