The Heartland race, hosted in Cassoday, Kansas, on October 10, 2026, offers an exceptional journey through the vast, rolling hills of the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie. Runners can choose from a range of challenging distances, including a 125-mile, 100-mile, 100K, 50-mile, Marathon, and Half Marathon. The course is predominantly comprised of rural gravel and dirt roads, providing breathtaking, non-stop views of the iconic Kansas landscape. While not overly technical, the terrain features significant rolling hills, with the 100-mile course accumulating approximately 6,000 feet of climb. Participants should be prepared for exposure to the elements, as the course meanders through open range with little shelter from the sun or wind.

Celebrating a quarter-century of ultrarunning, the Heartland race is renowned for its well-organized logistics by the Kansas Ultrarunners' Society and its exceptionally friendly aid stations. The longer distances are particularly well-supported, with the 100-mile race featuring 22 aid stations and the 125-mile event benefiting from an additional roving aid station overnight, ensuring runners have ample access to water, sports drinks, and snacks. Typical race day conditions in early October offer pleasant weather, with highs around 73°F and lows near 48°F, accompanied by only a 10% chance of precipitation. The Heartland provides a challenging yet rewarding experience, ideal for both seasoned ultrarunners aiming for a personal best and first-timers tackling longer distances due to its generous cutoffs and supportive atmosphere. Finishers of the ultras even receive unique silver anniversary rings, a special memento of this enduring prairie challenge.