Psycho WyCo Run Toto, Run 50-Kilometer Trail Run

Photo by Rick Mayo, Mile 90 Photography

Run Toto Run
50K, 10 Mile, & 20 Mile

Trail Runs
Saturday, February 23, 2019

15th Annual

Location: Shelter # 2, Wyandotte County Lake Park, Kansas City, KS

Start Times: 8am for 50K & 20M; 9am for 10M

This challenging race has a lot of up and down. The course is on single-track trails and bridle trails, with rocks and roots. Please watch Todd Chandler’s Video Race Report for 2016’s race, or read Mid Pack Zach’s UR Mag race report. This is the race that launched Kaci Lickteig’s Ultra Trail Running career!

Enter Early!

This Race Includes

A well-marked course with lots of aid, with experienced volunteers.
Chip Timing.
Chili: regular (meaty) & gluten-free vegan.
Beer: on-tap craft beer and cheap beer. Other beverages.
The famous nice fitting zip hoodie, a Buff, Photos by Mile 90 Photography, Event specific race bibs.
A great D.J.!
Free weekend training runs (on the course), leading up to the event.

Zip Hoodie

The Zip-Hoodies are true-to-size, with a "hug" fit and non-shrinking. Sizes XS to 2XL. No guarantee of shirt or proper size if you sign up after January 22…but you will have a selection of previous years’ shirts to choose from – first come, first serve.

Finishers Receive

Spinning-tornado distance-specific finishers’ medals.
Finishers’ distance-specific oval sticker.
50K “Finisher’s” Trucker hat.
Unique, finisher awards for 1st through 3rd M/F in each distance.
Cash premiums for course record, and for 1st – 3rd Pl in each distance (overall).

Entry Fees

Distance

Early Bird Entry Fee

Price
Jan 23 to
Feb 21

Feb 22
Packet Pickup

Price on Race Day

50K

$110

$130

$140

$150

20-Mile

$95

$115

$120

$130

10-Mile

$90

$110

$120

$130

2019 Online Registration is Open!

Course

A challenging loop course on rocky, root-bound, and hilly bridle trails & single-track trails. "But it's Kansas, how tough could it be?" Each loop is a wheel-measured 10.35 miles long. So, 2 loops for 20 miles, and 3 loops for 50-kilometers.

Course Map

Here's an active map of the course.
For an "overview" map of the aid station placement on the course, click here.

Packet Pickup

Friday packet pickup at Comfort Suites conference room, 3 PM till 8 PM.
Exit 15 of I-435,
3000 N 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, KS 66109.
(913) 299-4466.

Race Day Packet Pickup at the race location, 1 hour prior to your event.

Photos

Mile 90 Photography, a Kansas City area company, focusing on race event
photography, especially ultrarunning photography. Photos are paid for by the Trail Nerds and are free to download for personal use! See 2016’s race photos, here.

Running with your Canine

$10 for Canine Pacers (dog entry). Enter your canine on race day, only.

Human owner must be a registered entrant and have dog on leash.

You must keep your dog on a leash at all times while in the park; (Wyco Park's rules).
You must carry water for your dog during the entire run.
You will need to offer water to your dog periodically.
You will need to conduct regular physical checks on your dog periodically (e.g., check for limping, check paw pads, etc.).
You must be considerate of other runners and not hinder or interfere with their progress.

Parking and Race Day Transportation

___________________________________________________________________________________________
Parking and Race Day Transportation

Race Day PARKING for the 10-Miler and the 20-Miler will be off-site, due to the size of the races (and the small size of the main parking lot). But, if you are car-pooling / riding with a 50K entrant, you can tag along with them for the ride. ONLY 50K entrants and pre-signed-up volunteers can park in the lot by the race start. Please carpool!

10-Miler & 20-Miler Race Day parking will have a shuttle service starting at 6:30 AM, and will be leaving from this lot:
The BACK PARKING LOT of:
Open Door Baptist Church
3033 N. 103rd Terr.
Kansas City, KS 66109
This church is right behind the Comfort Suites motel, near Leavenworth Rd & I-435.

Directions:
From I-435 South
Take exit 15A for KS-Highway 5 S (Leavenworth Rd East). Merge onto KS-Highway 5 S/ (Leavenworth Rd.) Turn right on N. 103rd Terrace.

From I-435 North
Take exit 15A for KS-Highway 5 S (Leavenworth Rd East). Merge onto KS-Highway 5 S / (Leavenworth Rd.) Turn right at N.103rd Terrace.

The shuttles will run until 3 PM. We have volunteers that can take you there, after that.

Friends and families (and canines) are allowed on the buses, too. The shuttles will run continuously during the event. Parking in the ranger station lot will be reserved for 50K entrants and volunteers, only...NO EXCEPTIONS!
The shuttles only have to go 1-1/2 miles, so don’t worry about it taking a long time. There will be a shuttle leaving the lot, every 10 minutes or so.
GEAR CHECK AREA: At the race site, there will be an area where you can leave some warm clothes to change into, labeled "GEAR CHECK". Please label your bag with your name.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Cut-off Times
50K runners: you must leave the start/finish area on your final (3rd) loop by 1:59 PM. 20-milers must leave on their final (2nd) loop by 11:59 AM.
Drop Bags

Drop bags are only allowed for the 20M and 50K distances.

There is only one location for staging drop bags...at the Main Aid Station (which is the start/finish area). There will be a row of long tables set-up to put your drop bag on, and you will pass these tables on your way to the aid area of the Main Aid station. It is a very convenient location, so you won't be held-up looking for your bag. Special Note: Please take your schtuff home! While I am very good at preparing for, and race-directing races, I really suck at getting heavy, mud & sweat-soaked crap back to its rightful owner(s). Any drop bags left at the race will probably be donated to "broke-as-heck" local trail-runners.  They thank-you in advance!

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Link

Photo by Kristi Mayo, Mile 90 Photography

Photo by Kristi Mayo, Mile 90 Photography

Photo by Rick Mayo, Mile 90 Photography

2017 Downloadable Photos, by Mile 90 Photography

2017 Results

(for any results issues, email: raul@resultskc.com)

Mile 90 Photography

Mile 90 Photography

Photo by Mile 90 Photography

Matt Flaherty, 2014 Overall 50K winner (and only sub-5-hr in 2014)

Click for more information.

Join this Race's FB Page:

Photo by SeeKCRun.com

EPIC: Rikki Hacker chases Scott Gall in the 50K race.

New Medals specific to distances:

Click on the photo to see the spinning tornado!

Photo by RunLawrence.com

Scott Gall, 50K Male Winner, Course Record-holder.

A Mayo photo

Kristi Mayo expresses the Schizo/Psycho mood for this race.

A Kristi Mayo photo.

Kaci Lickteig, on her way to a course record!

*********

Ben,

Thanks so much for putting on a great race this last weekend. Your races remind of the trails I grew up running on (I'm an Okie originally). The two races I've done of yours I've left with a good feeling afterward. Your races are some of the best around in my eyes. You choose great trails to have the races on and the staff and volunteers that man the aid stations are always great and extremely helpful. I think you have some of the best aid station workers of any trail race I've participated in. The overall organization and feel of the race is superb, so keep up the good work and I guess I'll see you down the road ( or trail).

Cheers,
Jeremy Duncan, 2012
Trail Runner Magazine

**********

A Kristi Mayo Photo.

Photo by Kyle Gerstner

Larry Long and Tina Run the 50K.

Bryan Kelpe, 2011 winner of 50K

Photo by Kyle Gerstner

UltraRunning Magazine Cover

DIRECTIONS to start of race:

Get onto I-435 N on the west side of KC Metro
Take exit 15A for KS-5 S/Leavenworth Rd E
Head East onto KS-5 S/Leavenworth Rd
Turn left at N 91 St/N 91st St
Turn left as you enter the park...look for parking lot by ranger station.

Garmin, Magellan, and Tom Tom users, please set your GPS device to find: West Dr & N 91st StKansas City, KS 66109.

Fast Andy Henshaw sets a new record at Run Toto Run. Photo by Dick Ross.

2015 was the 11^th annual Psycho Wyco Run Toto Run.
This event would not happen without our wonderful volunteers!

There were many heroic personal exploits on race day, including a new 50-kilometer course record by Scott Gall (3:54:09); the only person to have ever run sub-4-hours on this course...and he's accomplished it, twice!

For 2015 Results, click here.
If there are any discrepancies, please email our timer at info@resultskc.com Thanks!

For 2015 Photos, click here.
By Mile 90 Photography
Just right-click / control-click to download the ones you like.

If you have a race report that you'd like to share, email me a link.

More Race Information:

Read race reports and view photos from previous years.

Course

"Single-track" Course Sections:There are 2 sections of single-track trail on the loop course that were built by the Trail Nerds. "Fester's Wander" was designed by the race director's dog, "Fester," and built by Trail Nerds. And the "WyCo Triangle" section is a confusing switch-back section that will have you totally flabbergasted, by the time you exit.

Photo by Dick Ross, SeeKCRun.com

One of Many Hills on the Course

All designs by Jason Crosby Illustration

Even More Information

General Event Description:
This is a REAL TRAIL event. Yes, I said TRAIL event. If you want to run on a sissy, paved course, this isn't the race for you!

The course's trails can be challenging due to rocks & roots and the sometimes muddy conditions, and the constant barrage of rolling hills. But remember: This is Kansas, so how tough could it really be??? Actually, only 22% is flat, and the rest of the time you are either going up or downhill, and some of those hills are very steep. There is also a 1/3-mile section of paved road that you will run on at about mile 5 of each loop. But, in keeping with the theme of the race, you will be going severely uphill, while on the pavement. If you haven't done a trail race before, don't go for time, but go for a "good time" and just have fun!

The trail is so well-marked, that a blind and stupid politician could follow it. If you somehow take a wrong turn, please return the way that you came and continue the race. DO NOT CUT THE COURSE, or you will be disqualified. If you get lost, please let me know, so that we can make the course markings even better for next year. We also have the infamous "Totally Flabbergasted Award" for anyone who takes a long detour.

Trail running shoes are highly recommended for running on this course to avoid foot/toe trauma. Regular running shoes will work, but if you're not used to running on rocks, roots, mud, and steep hills, you will "feel the course" for a longer span of time after the race than you would, if you wore trailrunning shoes.

Weather:
The weather can be a factor. We will run the race in snowy, muddy, or rainy conditions, or a combination of all conditions. Historically, the temps can be anywhere from zero to 65 degrees F. Most of the time you will be shielded from any wind by the woods. Dress appropriately...(I usually dress for 20-degrees warmer than it actually is). If it is snowy or icy on the day of the race, I highly recommend that you "screw your shoes" or wear a "YakTrax" type device on you shoes. (Yes, even for trailrunning shoes). The web site has instructions on how to "screw your shoes." We will have "shoe screwing stations" set up at the main start / finish area, if it's icy on race day.

Please pay attention to the race time limit. On the multiple-loop course, you will not be allowed to leave the start/finish aid station to start your final loop after 1:59 p.m. There will be an additional time limit for reaching the middle aid station. If you arrive after 3:45 p.m., you will be driven back to the finish area. This is not only for your own safety, but also for the safety of the furry, sharp-toothed animals that will gnaw on your free-radical-filled carcass, (if you happen to end up "ass over tea kettle" along the trail, somewhere). We wouldn't want them getting sick, now would we? Race Management also reserves the right to pull a runner or a pacer for their own safety, or for "other" reasons. We appreciate your help and understanding with this policy.

If you are registered for one of the longer distances and want to drop out a loop (or two) short, you can do so and still get a finisher's medal. This is for runners that have "bit-off more than they can chew." Don't worry, it happens to the best of us!

This year we will again have Chip Timing provided by Raul Flores Race Day Timing Solutions.

Amenities and aid stations:
There will be "normal" ultra foods at the three "staffed" aid stations on the course. You will pass through the first aid station twice, so you actually have 4 staffed aid stations, (not including the start/finish area. The farthest you will travel without aid is 2.8 miles, to the first aid station. The main start/finish aid station will also have hot soup and other goodies for you.

Post-race, we will have homemade soup (regular and vegan), coffee, other "hot stuff," and an assortment of calorie-laden stuff for you (and your paid-for support persons to consume). "I never met a carbohydrate I didn't like."

Our graphic designer is (trail runner) Jason Crosby. There will be prizes for age group winners, but due to the length of the event and the cold weather, there will be no "official" post-race awards ceremony. Just get your prize at the finish line.

History of the race:
2005 was the first year for this event, which was held on Feb, 19th, 2005. That first year we had 41 starters and only 23 finishers. In 2006, we added the 10-mile and 20-mile distances. We had over 200 participants, total. We also had a much higher finish rate in 2006. For more information click here.

2007 was a record year with 281 participants on race day. For 2007 race reports, photos, and video, click here.

2008 had over 440 signed-up for all of the events, including the new 5K. We moved the 5K to another date in 2009, to make room for parking for the longer events. In 2009, we had 400 starters for the event. In 2010, we had 495 human starters, and 13 registered dogs. Two women broke the sub-6-hour barrier, and Andy Henshaw set a new course record. Read race reports and view photos from 6 previous years.

Origins of the race's original name:
"WyCo" stands for "Wyandotte County," where the race is located. The term "Psycho" will become obvious after running one of the course loops. "Run Toto Run"...well we are in Kansas now, aren't we? In 2010, we decided to drop the "Psycho" reference, and just call it "Run Toto Run," (the Winter edition), out of respect for our friends at NAMI. Some of last year's race proceeds were donated to NAMI, as well as to our normal Trail Advocacy causes. Please donate to NAMI, if you can.

Speaking of Toto, there was a horrific tornado that blew through this part of Kansas in 2003. It demolished many homes and buildings near the park, and dropped all sorts of debris into the woods of the park. You will see some of this debris, (mainly aluminum & steel siding and roofing), while on the course. If you see a witch that's had a house dropped on her, be sure to get her slippers; there will be a special reward for you.

Something to consider:

The use of Poles on the course is allowed; and the use and abuse of Gemans, Irish, or Canadians is allowed, as well. Just don't let your poles get in the way of another runner, ethnic group, or nationality.

Pacers are allowed for 20-mile and 50-K entrants, but they cannot "mule" for you They can only run your last 10-mile loop with you. Pacers don't need to pay, but they must sign a race waiver. Pacers can enjoy all of the food/hydration/service of the aid stations, but must not be an "overbearing burden" upon the race organization (or their assigned runner). Please buy a $5 meal for your pacer (to help with race costs), and/or purchase an extra mug or hoodie for your pacer. We reserve the right to pull any pacer who we deem as "burdensome" either to us, or burdensome to their runner, or if they mistreat our volunteers.

Dogs as Pacers:
We are a dog-friendly bunch, within reason. After all, a dog designed one of the trails that you will run on in this event. You can run with your (well-mannered) dog, but it must be on a leash, and you must not let it get entangled with another runner. You should also start toward the back of the pack. Please register your dog for a minor amount, for your dog to run (and receive a finisher's medal). Your dog will be issued a bib number that needs to be attached (with your name and cell # written on it with a sharpie). Your dog will also be included in the official results. We won't allow any cruelty to animals, so you must attest to your dog's "trail conditioning." If it appears that your dog is heat-stressed or otherwise physically stressed or injured, we will require you and your dog to pull out of the race and seek out immediate veterinary help. Please provide water and food for your dog. You can refill your dog's water at the aid stations.

Wildlife??? You may see deer, wild turkeys, racoon, bald eagles, squirrels, and maybe even bobcat. But there are none of the "harmful animals" out and about in the Winter that we have in the Summer here, namely copperheads and rattlesnakes. There could be a very slim possibility for ticks, if the temperature rises above 50 degrees for a week or so.

Even though there are more than enough aid stations on the course, this is a decently-tough trail run. For the run, you will need to bring along a water bottle or hydration device. This is for your own safety.

You might also want to think about bringing the following items: TP, something to eat, electrolytes, and your wits.
Some optional items: someone else's wits, defibrillation unit & jumper cables, GPS locator unit, satellite phone, golden hoop ear rings, a satin thong, a sequined black leather teddy, cougar repellent, redneck repellent, extra screws, a rescue beacon, a talisman with protective Elvish Runes (that only appear when heated by a fire), a Hattori Hanzō Samurai sword, salted pork & hardtack, a photo of Uranus, last will & testament, a shovel, a black tee-shirt, black trousers, $300 burial money, and a pre-engraved tombstone.

Whiners

Don't come whining to us. Whining is not allowed. Trailrunning requires a slightly higher pain threshold, but this is balanced-out by all of the fun you will be having. The Trail Nerds' motto has always been: "All whiners will be buried in shallow, unmarked graves." We really mean it. Why do you think the trees grow so big, in Wyco park? Yup...you guessed it...lots of "fertilizer."

Bad Ben's Trail Running Site