The fourth annual Ollie’s Ultra brought 59 runners from seven states to Chanute, a southeast Kansas town with a population of approximately 8,500 people. Running on a vacated golf course-turned-nature trail, the 2.022-mile USATF-certified loop had many runners setting PRs and breaking state age group records.
The race was started in 2022 in memory of its namesake, Oliver Ortiz. Ollie’s Ultra went from 22 runners to 59 in three years’ time. Putting Ollie’s name front and center on every race and run we do keeps these races alive and thriving. Helping others in our community with funds raised from the race and sponsors is exactly what our family needs – knowing the cause warms the hearts of those in need as well as those in our running community.
Chanute does not have a huge ultrarunning community, but like so many others, we are a tight group and have been joined by numerous new friends. Runners make the trip in quest of the buckle and a PR. Or, they are there to start a health journey, with the buckle bringing added value. As a timed event on a loop course, many find it comfortable to have a giant aid station every 2 miles.
At this year’s event, melted snow made the trail a bit muddy in a few spots, but the course was still fast with its minimal elevation change. The morning brought dense fog for the runners traveling in, setting a calm mood between them and the 100 yards of visibility. As the fog cleared and the temperatures began to reach their peak in the upper 40s, layers of clothes were shed and the racing began to speed up.
Nutrition started to pay dividends as some were needing to stop and find the right mix of drink and solid food to keep pushing the pace. Through the first half of the day, we saw many PRs and first-time buckles being handed out. As nighttime came and the headlamps switched on, the temperatures began to dip. Runners hit the heated aid station long enough for warm noodles, broth, potatoes and other warm foods to keep going.
Then came the wind. After dealing with a south wind much of the day, the runners remaining in the 24–hour event were met with a wind shift from the north around 2 a.m. Cold-weather running is not for the faint of heart, and 10 runners dug deep and kept running loops. After 6 more hours and many 10-minute naps later, Ollies Ultra culminated with the final four runners finishing their last loop.
Highlighting the records was Brian Walden, finishing top three all-time in the state of Kansas with 74.814 miles in the 12-hour event. Dennis Cannell broke the 24-hour, 65-69 age group, state record by running 80.88 miles. Rebecca Romary shattered the previous 12-hour course record with 60.66 miles in her win. Alysia Weil set the course record and won the women’s 9-hour race, completing 20 loops and hitting 40.44 miles. Brett Rinehart and Katie Sullivan won the 24-hour races for back-to-back years, which earns them an entry for 2026.
Another year in the books has us wishing we could do it all over again this week. The community has rallied around our family since 2016, now we hope to keep growing this race we love—and always Run for Ollie.