Ultramarathon

Hit The Road, Jack! 50K

Missouri's RRCA 50K state championship runs out-and-back on the flat, shaded Ruby Jack rail-trail in Carthage, with certified splits and cash prizes.

Next raceSaturday, November 21, 2026
Distance categoryUltramarathon
LocationCarthage, Missouri
Get alertsLast checked August 4, 2026

Quick facts

  • RRCA Missouri 50K state championship with cash prizes for open and masters runners.
  • Flat, shaded, USATF-certified out-and-back on the Ruby Jack rail-trail.
  • 3-hour cutoff at the 25K turnaround keeps the field moving.
  • 25K, 10K, and 5K races run the same corridor on race day.

About the Hit The Road, Jack! 50K

Hit The Road, Jack! is the Joplin Roadrunners' long-distance day on the Ruby Jack Trail, and the 50K doubles as the RRCA Missouri state championship with cash prizes across open and masters groups. Proceeds support club charities and trail improvements, and 25K, 10K, and 5K races share the same corridor.

Course

The 50K runs a USATF-certified 25K out-and-back twice on the Ruby Jack rail-trail, a flat, shaded former rail line west of Carthage. There is no meaningful climbing, so the race rewards steady rhythm rather than hill strength, and chip timing produces a certified 25K split along the way. A 3-hour cutoff applies at halfway.

Race-day weather

Late November in southwest Missouri often starts near freezing and climbs into the 40s or 50s. Tree cover blocks some of the wind, but a cold rain or an early front can make the return leg of the out-and-back feel much longer.

Past Hit The Road, Jack! 50K dates and results

YearDateStatusResults
2026Saturday, November 21, 2026Upcoming

Hit The Road, Jack! 50K FAQ

When is the Hit The Road, Jack! 50K?

The 2026 Hit The Road, Jack! 50K is on Saturday, November 21, 2026.

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