Saturday Morning North Clinton Shores Trail Run

When:

Saturday at 7:30 AM

What:

One of Lawrence’s hidden gems is the 22 miles of natural trails along the north shore of Clinton Lake. On Saturday mornings you are invited to join the TrailHawks in exploring a part of this trail system via a 3-5 mile, moderately paced run.. You can expect to meet trail veterans as well, as they start their longer runs. All distances, all paces, and all levels of enthusiasm are welcome. **We love introducing newcomers** to the trails and will make sure you are not left behind and get an orientation to the trail system. Generally, our start time is 7:30, but in the heat of the summer, we might start earlier. Regularly, we start at the Army Corps’ Trailhead (also called the Overlook Park Trailhead), a bit south of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ office. Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kixPkmCH45oh2UvJA. However, we like to mix things up, and at other times start at other locations along the trail system, most requiring a pass into the state park (see below). In addition, when the trials are too wet to run, we are off to other locations in the vicinity. On Thursday evening of each week, the week’s planned run is announced on the [TrailHawk’s Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/groups/91186762641/) and other social media. When weather conditions threaten, it is good to check the page for changes that might be needed. The run lead is [David Barfield](mailto:[email protected]) Here is a link to a map of the North Clinton trails (note: north is down on the map): https://www.lawrencemountainbikeclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/clinton_lake_north_shore_trail_map.jpg As you will observe, the trail system is dominated by two trails: - the shorter, and generally easier, Blue Trail closer to the lake and - the longer, more “technical” White Trail running roughly parallel to the Blue Trail, but a bit further from the lake. There are several connectors between the two trails, shown in yellow. **Want to know more?** The TrailHawk’s Matt O'Rielly has created the definitive guide on running the North Shore trails including the history of the lake; park entrances; description of the various trails, connectors, loop, trailhead, other locations of interest; water and bathroom access; trail etiquette; and tips for new runners. See https://trailhawks.com/static/docs/Lawrence-Trail-Hawks-Guide-to-Running-Clinton-Lake.pdf

Contact:

David "Water Czar Hawk" Barfield

The Hawk

None

When:

Sept. 6, 2025 at 6 a.m.

General Course Description

Begin at Start/Finish HQ and run about an eighth of a mile to the trailhead. Turn left onto the blue-blazed trail and follow it a few hundred yards to the Sanders Mound trail. Go left and do a “quick” 1.1-mile out-and-back to the top of Sanders Mound. Return to the blue-blazed trail and head left. Cross Marina Road and continue on the blue trail towards the Land’s End aid station (4.5 mi). Once you get to the Land’s End opening, you will take a right up toward the cabins. You must check in at the aid station and then will return to the trail. At Land’s End you will get back on west-bound Blue and head down toward the Red Trail.

From Lands End, take the scenic shoreline red-blazed trail, about 1 mile, reconnecting with the blue-blazed trail at red’s end.

The blue-blazed trail crosses West Park Road into the Cactus Ridge section and turns into the white-blazed trail about 3.5 miles out after Land’s End.

The white-blazed trail along Cactus Ridge takes you back across West Park Road to the West Park Road aid station. From the aid station, runners leave the trails and follow the signs and flags along West Park Road, staying on the grass, to the Bunker Hill Loop. Complete the grassy 2.5-mile loop, which includes two ascents of Bunker Hill, and return to the West Park Road aid station.

From the aid station, follow the white-blazed trail back. Near the cabins, a turn-off will be marked to exit the white trail and head toward the Land’s End aid station, about 5.5 miles. Once you have checked in at Land’s End aid station you will get back on the connector toward the trail. Leaving Lands End, continue on the white-blazed trail back to the Start/Finish aid station, about 6.5 miles distant. This completes one 25-mile lap of the course.

Hundred-milers complete the course four times, 75-milers three times, and 50-milers twice.

Big Loop: At the Start/Finish aid station, runners will have completed 25 miles (26.2 for marathoners)—what we call the “Big Loop.” Hundred-milers repeat the Big Loop three more times, 75-milers two more times, and 50-milers one more time.

When the trails cross: The white-blazed trail and the blue-blazed trail cross at several points on the course. The crossings will be marked and signed, but it is your responsibility to read and heed the markers, signs, and white and blue blazes to stay on course.

Marathon: Start time 8:00 AM - runners will follow the same course as the 50, 75, and 100-mile runners, but they will run an additional 1.2 miles at the beginning of the race.

Aid Stations

The Hawk is a fully-staffed race with three aid stations, crewed by experienced UltraRunners. The locations and distances runners will hit aid stations as they traverse the 25-mile course (26.2 for marathoners):

Lands End: 4.5 miles – no crew access, drop bags

West Park Road: 10.5 and 13 miles – crew access, drop bags

Lands End: 18.5 miles – no crew access, drop bags

Start/Finish: 25 miles – crew access, drop bags

Cut-offs

The 100, 75, and 50-mile races have a Sunday 10:00 AM cut-off for runners leaving the West Park Road aid station after completing the Bunker Hill/Goodwin loop. This is at mile 88 for the 100-mile runners, mile 63 for the 75-mile runners, and mile 38 for the 50-mile runners.

The cut-off for Lands End aid Station is Sunday 12 PM, noon. This is at mile 93.5 for the 100-mile runners, mile 68.5 for the 75-mile runners, and 43.5 for the 50-mile runners.

To stay in the race, you must have left the aid station by the above cut-off times. Volunteers will break down the aid station at that time and depart. Runners continuing on their own accord past the cut-offs and not arriving at the Start/Finish on or before the 2 PM cut-off will not be eligible for the finisher awards.

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