United Way of McPherson County Triathlon 2026

Run for Relief 5k - April 11, 2026 at 8:00am

The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) is a run/walk fundraising event for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) whose mission is to provide world relief and development in the name of Christ. The KMRS is an event held annually with this year's event occurring on April 10 and 11 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, KS. Event includes automatic race timing, age group awards, and post race food! Register by March 27th to be guaranteed a T-Shirt!

Register as a 'Fundraiser' and raise your entry fee (minimum $30 goal), or more for MCC! Raise $500 in the "Go The Extra Mile" Fundraising Challenge and you will earn an additional long sleeve Tshirt! During registration click 'Become a Fundraiser' to start your own online fundraising page that you can easily share and promote! If you are unable to raise your entry fee you will be charged the late entry fee at packet pick up.

If you are unable to attend this year's event in person we encourage you to sign up for the 'Remote' option and run or walk the 5k from your location and share your experience on our KMRS Run for Relief Facebook page. We greatly value your support of this race and want to include all who desire to be a part of it! Please watch our Facebook page and your email inbox for race updates. Note, remote participants will not receive T-Shirt or goodie bag.

Want to Participate Remotely - Here's what to do!

1. Register yourself for the 2025 Run/Walk for Relief 5k (Remote)

2. Join us on April 11 by putting on your favorite Run for Relief or MCC Sale t-shirt from a past year (if you have one) and run or walk a 5K on your own or better yet with family or friends.

3.Take your picture and tag the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale Run for Relief Facebook page.

4. Send your collected sponsor donations as instructed by race emails. Sorry we don't mail Tshirts but you can have someone pick it up for you.

5. Ask family, friends, or neighbors if they would also consider signing up to participate with you and help raise additional funds for MCC.

All of the proceeds from the race, and greater Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale, benefit the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and provide for material needs and community development in North America and across the world in the name of Christ.

*Late registration is available in person at packet pick up Friday and Saturday.

Packet pick up and late registration will be in the Meadowlark building on the Kansas State Fair Grounds (Hutchinson, KS) from 5-8pm on Friday, April 10. You can also still register or pick up your packet on race day at the Rice Park shelter house starting at 7am.

Online registration will include a processing fee or register as 'Fundraiser' to pay at packet pick up.

We have ran for 35 years, and we have no plans to stop! Welcome to the 35th Run of the Emma Creek 5K/1M run/walk.

This is our annual fundraiser to raise funds to serve our youth, who due to budgetary constraints, would not be able to participate. This race is a tradition in Hesston Kansas and is unique because it is a women's only race, where we have a variety of ages, as we have 17 awarded age groups as well as the top ten!

The first 500 who sign up will receive a swag bag with goodies from our sponsors as well as a 2026 Emma Creek t-shirt. The one mile will start at 9am. It is a fun run/walk, non-competitive for those who want to support Hesston Rec, but do not want to do a 5k. The 5k will start at 9:30am, with awards ceremony at 10:30am.

We wanted to give you an option to choose the color of you shirt this year!!!

To celebrate 35 years, we want you to have the option of color of shirt you would like.

Awards will be given to the Top 10 overall and top 3 per age group. Age groups are 8 & younger; 9-11; 12-17; 18-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80-84; and 85 and older. The awards ceremony will not be more than 30 minutes.

Packet Pick up, if you want it ahead of time

• Friday, April 24

• Hesston Aquatic Center

• 300 N Ridge Rd

• 9am to 3pm

Race Day Schedule

• Packet pick up/"day of" signing up - 8am

• One mile - 9am

• 5k - 9:30am

• Will have brunch for runners

• Awards - 10:30am

• Parking will be at the stadium.

Rules

• The Emma Creek 5k is a certified fast-and-flat course for WOMEN AND GIRLS of all ages

• Timing chips are used

• All Kansas middle school, junior high and high school track and field athletes are ineligible to enter or compete due to KSHSAA rules

• Strollers are welcome, but should line up toward the back of the starting line

• Please no cell phone use or pets in the race

• No scooters/skates/skateboards

• Medical Aid will be available

• Race results will be available at timerguys.com

FACEBOOK: Join us at “Emma Creek Classic 5K” on Facebook.

44th ANNUAL

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Little River, Kansas

Early Bird Registration by May 1, 2026

Registrations received before May 8th, 2026 receive a T-Shirt

The coveted “COW CHIP” is awarded to the top 10K male and

female winners

Medals in each age category for the top three finishers

$50.00 bonus for any new course record in the 5K, 10K or Pony Express races

ALL EVENT REGISTRATION, INFORMATION AND STARTS TAKE PLACE ON MAIN STREET

Event Start Times

10K Walk & Ruck 7:30 A.M.

10K Runners and Pony Express Relay 8:00 A.M.

5K Runners 8:00 A.M.

Awards 9:30 A.M.

Registration ends 30 minutes before each event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.facebook.com/suicidehilltrailrun

SPONSORED BY: USD 444 Rec Commission, Little River Lions Club, Local Businesses and Friends

TRAIL RUN EVENTS

Come Ruck with us! You will simply be hiking along our 10K loop, west of town, which includes two creek crossings with rolling native hills, cowboys and cattle. You will conquer the famed “Suicide Hill” as you make your way to the finish line. All you need to compete in the Ruck Division is a sturdy backpack with the required weight, and the endurance to carry it for the duration of 10K.

Awards will be given for overall 1st, 2nd, 3rd, as well as Heaviest Pack. Ruckers who sign up in time will also get swag bags, Little River Trail Run Sticker and T-Shirt.

Additional details:

Mandatory ruck weigh in will take place at finish line.

Ruck must weigh at least 20lbs.

Mandatory weight cannot be on the shoulders or chest.

It must be on your back.

No sling bags or duffel bags.

Any type of backpack (Ruck) is acceptable otherwise.

While we encourage you to carry the weight you are comfortable with, to place in the ruck category you must carry a minimum of 20 lbs.

10K RUN - The Original "Little River Trail Run", a 10K loop running west of town. The run includes two creek crossings with rolling native hills with cowboys and cattle.

5K RUN - It includes the famed "Suicide Hill", an out and back 5K. The run includes an up and over route of Suicide Hill.

PONY EXPRESS RELAY - As far as we know, it is the only one of its kind in Trail Runs. It will cover the 10K course. Three runners must compete as a team. Each runner will cover approximately one third of the course. Batons will be furnished. Get yourself a three person team and compete!

10K FUN WALK - For the recreational walker.

COURSE RECORDS

MEN'S 10K

0-12 Jeffery Baily (Hutchinson, KS)……..42:17-1990

13-19 Ted Hurst (Sylvia, KS)……………. 34:07-1984

20-29 Tim Gundy (Lenexa, KS)………….32:26-1987

30-39 Terry Drake (Overland Park, KS)...32:13-1989

40-49 Mike Shrlock (Augusta, KS)………36:50-1997

50-59 Wes Goertzen (Buhler, KS)……… 40:00-1993

60-Over Gerald Witten (Emporia, KS)…..45:55-1991

WOMEN'S 10K

0-12 Nicky Ramage (Little River, KS)…. 54:55-1989

13-19 Annette G. Berry (Buhler, KS)… 48:03-1987

20-29 Sandi Oltjen (Salina, KS)…………40:58-1985

30-39 Mary A. Johnson (Topeka, KS)…..40:30-1987

40-49 Sheryl Drevo (Goddard, KS)……...45:54-1989

50-59 Teresa Perky (Overland Park, KS).45:54-2011

60-Over Donna Washmon (Barnard, KS)…58:58-2025

MEN'S 5K

0-12 Robby Turnbow (Geneseo, KS)……21:47-1987

13-19 Bobby Smith (Augusta, KS)……....17:10-1984

20-29 Byron Flick (Hutchinson, KS)……. 16:30-1987

30-39 John Murphy III (??? KS)…….. 18:02-2025

40-49 Steve Hanson (McPherson, KS)… 18:09-1986

50-59 Mike Welch (McPherson, KS)…….20:27-1992

60-Over Gerald Witten (Emporia, KS)…..20:48-1989

WOMEN'S 5K

0-12 Brenna German (McComb, IL)…….23:19-2008

13-19 Nicky Ramage (Little River, KS)….23:12-1991

20-29 Gretchen Gundy (Lenexa, KS)……21:09-1987

30-39 Tammy S. Gilpin (Wichita, KS)……19:43-1994

40-49 Trudy Calloway (Wichita, KS)…….22:10-1989

50-59 Nancy Barber(Hutchinson,KS)…..26:47-2013

60-Over Donna Washmon (Hillsboro,KS)..27:39-2023

PONY EXPRESS RELAY

David Larson, Mike Miller, Mark German

Lyons, KS 33:42-1984

RUCK

Heaviest Pack

Will Godfrey 90 lbs

Men's 10k Ruck

Kyle Arbuckle 54:51, weight carried 21.5 lbs- 2025

Women's 10k Ruck

Harley Ebersole 1:32:25, weight carried 21 lbs- 2025

One of Kansas' original Trail Runs that began in 1982. The course includes roadways, rolling native grassland, cowboys, the famed Suicide Hill and start/finish on Main Street. This course is as beautiful as it is demanding and it brings out the best in runners each year.

Join us for the First Annual Heart of the Prairie Run on May 30, 2026! This will race will be held at Blooming Soul Farm near Nickerson, KS. Please note, this is a new date from the initial scheduled date of September 30, 2025. Due to low entries, the race was postponed to the spring.

Half marathon begins at 7:00 AM

5k begins at 8:00 AM

Proceeds will support The Heart of MFB and go to offering financial assistance to families in South Central Kansas who are undergoing medical treatment for birth defects.

The Heart of MFB is a 501c3 that offers awareness and support to families through complications during pregnancy or birth defects. We achieve this through offering informational resources and emotional and tangible support including care packages for families.

To make this possible, The Heart of MFB relies on donations and fundraising efforts. Donations can be made privately or at our fundraisers.

Packet pick-up:

Friday, May 29 from 5-7 PM at Blooming Soul Farm.

Morning of Race, Saturday, May 30 from 5:30-6:30 AM