Free State Trail Run 2026

The Free State Trail Run begins and ends within Clinton Lake State Park, located approximately 25 miles east of Topeka, near Lawrence and the University of Kansas. The series offers a half marathon, marathon, 40-mile race, and quarter marathon, all utilizing dirt trails instead of paved roads. The half marathon follows a single large loop on the Clinton Lake North Shore Trails. It commences on the white trail, known for its firmer surface, before transitioning to the blue trail. Participants will encounter rocks, roots, stream crossings, undulating hills, and potential mud following rainfall. The course winds past a campground, Swim Beach, Lands End, Clinton Lake, and sections of Lake Henry. Wildlife such as squirrels, snakes, deer, and ducks are frequently observed along the route, contributing to a feeling more akin to a rugged park run than a typical urban race.