For regular walkers and bikers in the Dutzow, Marthasville and Treloar area, be prepared for an uptick in activity on Saturday, September 5. For the third year, the area Daily Run Club will sponsor the Katy Trail 50/50 race beginning at 6:30 a.m. and continuing for the next 15 hours.

According to Meghan McCarrick, organizer for the event, approximately 82 runners will compete in the 50K and another 40 will tackle the 50-mile race. Competitors will begin at the Dutzow trailhead with the 50K runners heading toward Augusta and the 50-mile runners heading west toward Treloar.

McCarrick said this year’s race has been a challenge to plan in order to stay compliant with COVID social distancing suggestions. She said all participants will begin the race while wearing masks, and will remove them as the runners spread out.

“We are trying to avoid crossing paths,” said McCarrick. “We’re hoping to keep everyone distanced.”

She said all participants will receive commemorative masks instead of the traditional T-shirts.

“We have a lot of talented runners participating in the race,” she said. “We expect some records to be broken. It’s a flat and fast race.”

McCarrick said the Katy Trail 50/50 is not a relay, and is one of the only dedicated ultra marathons in the area.

The Daily Run Club takes a great interest in the Katy Trail and often works with the Missouri State Parks Department, keeping an eye on trail conditions and removing trash. The club sponsors a seven-mile section of the trail, two miles west of Dutzow to five miles east of Dutzow.

MaCarrick said the race is a “big feat” for the runners and hopes that any local walkers or bikers on the trail would offer words of encouragement if they encounter them.

She asks that visitors to the trail on the day of the race use extra caution due to the number of runners participating. Local people may want to avoid the Dutzow Katy Trailhead parking lot on that day.

Members of the Daily Run Club will operate five aid stations along the route.