Cycling & running events in Manhattan, 2026

Manhattan Miles And Gravel

Running: Locals start easy at City Park because the path around the park is exactly one square mile, and the Clarenburg Trail keeps intervals simple downtown. The loop around Anneberg Park, Jerry Dishman Lake, and Twin Oaks Complex is 6 miles. The Clarenburg Trail runs 5 miles end to end on soft, crushed limestone with tree coverage, so Z2 base miles feel calm. Manhattan Running Company hosts Tuesday 5:45 pm group runs from the store, and Manhattan Track Club and KSU Marathon Club keep the scene moving. Bill Snyder Highway Half & 5K, Konza 25K & 10K, MHK Turkey Trot, Speedy PD, and Freedom Run are the anchor race days.

Cycling: Locals ride Manhattan for gravel first, because hundreds of miles of gravel roads surround MHK. BikeMHK hosts gravel rides through the week, and the city sits in a bronze-level bicycle-friendly community with Kansas State University. You can ride 5 mi from Iowa St to Deep Creek Rd. You can ride 5 mi from Casement Rd to Anderson Ave when you want steady base miles. The hills sit about 15 minutes east toward St. George off HWY 24, so get ready for some hills. Rock Ridge Gravel, Iron Will 100, Boomtown Road Race, and The 2026 Alert Road Race give the calendar its anchor events.

Season: May through August gives Manhattan its best stretch for regular training, even with hot, humid summer days. Locals run early on Linear Trail or Anneberg Park when the shade helps, then save City Park or asphalt routes for quicker intervals and longer faster efforts where you can get in a rhythm and CRUSH IT. Cyclists keep tire pressure low at 30-40psi on gravel and enjoy the open skies when the roads dry out. Winter turns cold and dry, and freezing temperatures typically run from October 16 through April 20. Measurable snowfall shows up on an average of 8.8 days per year, so locals shift both running and riding toward cleared loops, shorter Z2, and steady maintenance miles.