KROP — Kaizen Rite of Passage
Saturday, September 25, 2027
Welling Ridge Trails — Tahlequah, Oklahoma

KROP is a 12-hour trail running event at Welling Ridge Trails. Runners can choose from 4 miles, 8 miles, 16 miles (25K), 32 miles (50K), or 40 miles (65K).

All distances use the same 4-mile loop, with runners returning through the start/finish area after every lap.

The course is single-track trail with 417 feet of elevation gain and loss per loop.

Whether you're new to trail running, moving up to your first ultra, or looking for a longer training effort, KROP offers several distances on the same course.

 
RACE LOCATION
Welling Ridge Trails
19679 S 550 Rd
Tahlequah, OK 74464

Google Maps — Welling Ridge Trails

Typing "Welling Ridge Trails" into Google Maps will take you directly to the start/finish area.

The race location is about 15 minutes from downtown Tahlequah.

PARKING
Race parking is across the street from the race address.

Parking is in a large field with plenty of space. Please park with consideration for other participants.

If you are bringing a personal canopy or aid station, you may drive into the race area to unload your equipment. Please unload and then move your vehicle to the designated parking field.

Important: There is a dirt road near the parking entrance that is not the parking entrance. This can be difficult to see before sunrise.

Do not take the dirt road. Instead, use the cattle gate immediately past it to enter the large parking field.

After parking, it is a short walk across the street to the start/finish area.

 
RACE START TIMES
6AM: 65K and 50k

8AM: 25K and RUCK Team Relay

8:30AM: 8 mile and 4 mile

Find Your Rite of Passage
KROP was designed to provide several steps between common running distances:

4 miles: A manageable first trail race or step beyond a 5K.
8 miles: A bridge between the 10K and half marathon distances.
25K: A step beyond the half marathon without going all the way to a marathon.
50K: An introduction to the ultra distance.
65K: A step toward the 50-mile and 100K distances.
You do not need to be an experienced trail runner to participate. KROP can also be your first trail race.

 
COURSE
The KROP course is a 4-mile single-track loop at Welling Ridge Trails.

The course includes rocks, roots, and technical sections, with 417 feet of elevation gain and loss per loop.

Every distance uses the same loop, so runners return through the start/finish area each lap for access to their crew, personal aid, food, water, and race support.

It's supposed to be hard. And you can absolutely finish it.

Course Video
Facebook Course Video

 
TRAIL SAFETY & SELF-RESCUE
Welling Ridge Trails is a serious trail system.

On this course, falling isn't really an "if I fall" situation. It's more of a "when I fall" situation. Rocks, roots, uneven ground, and technical single-track create a genuine risk of falling and injury.

You are your own first responder.

We will have a roaming EMS professional on site during the event. However, Welling Ridge is a trail system, and even on a bicycle it can take time for medical assistance to reach you.

If you are able to safely self-rescue, do so and return to the start/finish area.

If you are injured and cannot safely move yourself, STAY STILL and wait for help.

If you need assistance:

Notify another runner that you need help.
Have them note your exact location on the course.
Stay where you are so the medical team can locate you.
Do not attempt to move if doing so could make your injury worse.
Because the course is a loop, other runners are never far away. If you see someone who needs help, stop and assist them or notify race personnel.

 
CUTOFF & PACE REQUIREMENTS
The overall race cutoff is 6:00 PM.

There are no extensions to the cutoff. If you cross the finish line after 6:00 PM, you will not receive an official finish.

For the ultra distances:

50K: 32 miles must be completed by 6:00 PM. This requires an average pace of 22:30/mile.
65K: 40 miles must be completed by 6:00 PM. This requires an average pace of 18:00/mile.
Your average pace includes all stops, aid-station time, bathroom breaks, walking, etc.

No Drop-Downs
If you register for the 50K or 65K, you must complete the distance you registered for in order to receive the corresponding finisher award.

For example, a 65K participant cannot decide during the race to stop after 32 miles and receive a 50K finish or 50K buckle.

If you don't finish your registered distance within the cutoff, you can always come back and try again the following year.

 
RACE DAY SCHEDULE

Saturday
5:00 AM — Race-Day Packet Pickup Opens (we do offer early packet pick-up the Friday before from 4-7pm at the start line)

6:00 AM — 50K & 65K Start

8:00 AM — 25K & Ruck Relay Start

8:30 AM — 4-Mile & 8-Mile Start

6:00 PM — Final Cutoff

Participants should have their shoes on, bib attached, and be ready to start at least 15 minutes before their scheduled start time.

Race-day packet pickup is available, but you must pick up your packet at least 15 minutes before your scheduled start.

For example, a 6:00 AM starter must have their packet before 5:45 AM.

 
PACKET PICKUP
Early packet pickup is strongly recommended.

Friday: 4:00–7:00 PM at Welling Ridge Trails

Saturday: Beginning at 5:00 AM at the race start/finish area.

 
FINISHER AWARDS
Every participant who completes at least one 4-mile loop may receive a finisher medal.

Ultra Buckles
50K and 65K finishers receive a special KROP belt buckle. We are biased, but our buckles are badass. 

Top Three Finishers
The top three finishers in each distance receive a loaf of sourdough bread baked by Shulamite Bakery, a local Tahlequah bakery.

This is a nod to the grassroots roots of ultra running, where food, community, and a handmade reward often mean more than a traditional trophy.

Ruck Relay
Ruck Relay teams compete for 10 hours, accumulating as many completed miles as possible.

The winning teams receive full-sized championship belts, with each belt sponsored by a different local business.

 
KROP SPECIAL EVENTS

The Kaizen ROCK of Passage
At an undisclosed time, rocks will be placed somewhere on the course. You can't miss them. They are huge, bright orange stones. 

A large stone weighing approx 120lbs and a modest stone weighing approx 65lbs. 

Participants who locate a ROCK and successfully return it to the finish line will receive a $100 cash prize.

For 2027, there will be at least two rocks available.

This challenge is open only to participants 18 years of age or older.

Participating is entirely optional.

 
RUCK RELAY Notes
The KROP Ruck Relay is a team event in which teams have 10 hours to accumulate as many completed 4-mile loops as possible.

Rules
Teams may have up to four people.
Teams of one, two, or three people are allowed.
There are no separate divisions.
Only one team member may be on the course at a time.
Each team receives one bib, which serves as the team's baton.
The bib must be exchanged between teammates in the start/finish area only.
Only completed 4-mile loops count. Partial loops do not count.
Every participant must carry a 20-pound ruck or vest, regardless of gender or body weight.
Teammates may use different rucks or vests, but the team's single bib must remain with the active runner.
In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the fastest time on the team's final completed 4-mile loop.
 
RACE DAY FOOD & AID
KROP is supported by a fully stocked aid station throughout the event.

Food Schedule
6:00 AM — Donuts from Tahlequah's Sunrise Donut Shop

11:00 AM — Burgers and hot dogs

The aid station will also provide a combination of salty, sweet, and other foods and drinks appropriate for a long trail event.

Yes, the blue Gatorade will be there.

The Jon B. special is 1 hotdog, 1 rice krispie treat, and a shot of Dr. Pepper. 

 
TIMING & PHOTOGRAPHY
KROP is an officially chip-timed event provided by I:40 Race Service. https://www.i40raceservice.com/

Professional race photography is provided free of charge by Matthew Lee. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087009984555

 
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
No Littering. No Being an A$$hole.

Jon B is the only a$$hole allowed on race day. He has a sword. You signed a waiver. Don't test it. 

Please respect Welling Ridge Trails.

The course is a 4-mile loop. Carry your trash with you and dispose of it when you return to the start/finish area.

PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT

The second rule is just as important.

KROP has runners and racers. There is a difference.

Be respectful of everyone on the course. Announce yourself when passing. Encourage other participants, even when you're competing against them.

When you participate under the Kaizen flag, you have an additional responsibility to represent the community well.

 
DONATIONS
Optional donations made during registration will go directly to the Tahlequah Trails Association.

100% of donated funds go to TTA to support trail maintenance and future projects.

We are proud partners of the TTA. They take the time to mow and weed eat and perform general trail maintenance for us on race week. We will treat them with respect by keeping the integrity of their trail system.

https://www.tahlequahtrails.org/#/

 
SHIRTS
Registration includes a race shirt. The shirts come in sizes ranging from XS to 3XL. We use a softstyle, more athletic fit tee. 

Register by August 15, 2027 to guarantee your shirt size.

 
WEATHER POLICY
KROP is a rain-or-shine event.

There are no refunds due to weather.

Oklahoma weather can change quickly, so participants should prepare accordingly.

If life-threatening weather conditions make it unsafe to conduct the event, KROP may be changed to a virtual event or deferred to the following year.

Pack a poncho, cowboy.

 
VOLUNTEERS
KROP relies heavily on volunteers.

Volunteer opportunities include:

Course setup
Packet pickup
Course marshaling
Aid station support
Race-day assistance
Course cleanup and pack-out
Volunteer registration is available through the Volunteer tab.

 
65K / PUMPKIN HOLLER TRAINING
The 65K distance was intentionally designed to provide a useful training opportunity for runners preparing for the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd in Tahlequah.

Pumpkin Holler's first loop is approximately 40 miles, and completing the full 100-mile distance requires an overall average pace of 18 minutes per mile.

KROP's 65K requires participants to complete 40 miles by 6:00 PM, which is also an 18:00/mile average pace.

For runners preparing for Pumpkin Holler, the KROP 65K can serve as a race-specific long training effort.

 
FINAL NOTE
KROP is a trail event, and conditions can be challenging. Know the distance, course, and cutoff requirements before registering.

Whether this is your first trail race or another ultra-distance effort, choose the distance that fits your experience and goals.

KROP — Kaizen Rite of Passage
Welling Ridge Trails • Tahlequah, Oklahoma
September