The Midwest Ultra Trail Classic

The Midwest Ultra Trail Classic takes place in Knob Noster, Missouri, on November 21, 2026. Five distances all start at 8:00 a.m.: a 10K (6.2 miles), a 20K (12.4 miles), a 30K (18.6 miles), a 40K (24.9 miles) and a 50K (31.1 miles). Each distance adds another 10K to the one before, so you can pick a target that matches your current fitness and experience on trails.

The 50K is the natural goal if you are looking for your first ultra or a late-season long effort; the 30K and 40K give experienced trail runners something between a half and a full marathon without the commitment of the full distance, and the 10K and 20K are ideal if you want to try trail racing in a low-pressure setting. For the 50K, give yourself 16 to 20 weeks with a weekly long run building to 20 to 24 miles on trails, back-to-back long weekends in the last two months, and practice eating and drinking on the move. For the shorter formats, eight to twelve weeks with regular time on uneven ground is enough. Bring trail shoes with good grip, gloves and a light layer you can remove once you are moving.