Salt City Run for the Rocks

Set for its annual running here in this central Kansas city whose claim to fame is the home of the nation’s first salt processing plants west of the Mississippi, Hutchinson’s Salt City Run for the Rocks Half Marathon takes runners on a point-to-point route that starts in Carey Park and finishes just blocks from the Kansas State Fair Grounds.Runners will start the race at Hutchinson’s Carey Park, named for the Carey family who were the first to start mining salt in Hutchinson, founding the Carey Salt Company here back in the early 1920s.

Set for its annual running here in this central Kansas city whose claim to fame is the home of the nation’s first salt processing plants west of the Mississippi, Hutchinson’s Salt City Run for the Rocks Half Marathon takes runners on a point-to-point route that starts in Carey Park and finishes just blocks from the Kansas State Fair Grounds.Runners will start the race at Hutchinson’s Carey Park, named for the Carey family who were the first to start mining salt in Hutchinson, founding the Carey Salt Company here back in the early 1920s.

MARTINEZ TRAIL TO RICE PARK (Miles 1-5): After a fast and flat jaunt down Emerson Loop in Carey Park, the course will follow the scenic Jim P. Martinez Trail for the next 4 miles to Rice Park. The Jim P. Martinez Trail is all paved, mostly flat and follows alongside the Arkansas River and Cow Creek for much of its path. The fun and family friendly Rice Park will be the half-way point and a great place for spectators to cheer on runners. Runners will run along Swearens before entering the Old Farm Estates neighborhood. NEIGHBORHOODS (Miles 6-8): From Rice Park you will enter the residential neighborhoods of Old Farm Estates and meander your way through the Countryside and Kisiwa neighborhoods. Runners will enjoy the quaint old neighborhoods and giant shade trees that line the streets until reaching the newly finished northwest Hutchinson Trail near 43rd and Plum.NORTHWEST HUTCHINSON TRAIL (Miles 9-11): Runners will enter the newly completed Northwest Hutchinson Trail on a nice and straight paved path with a few gentle turns. Scenic farm and landscape make this portion of the run and time to focus on your goals! After crossing 30th street you will likely be greeted by the unique and friendly "barks" of the dozens of prairie dogs that have taken up residence all along the trail before reaching 23rd and Lorraine. After exiting the trail runners will run on the wide sidwalk until reaching 14th Street.HCC/FINISH LINE (Miles 11.5-Finish): The last sections of the course will take runners down 14th Street and then past Hutchinson High School and the Sports Arena to end in Gowans Stadium - nothing like a little Chariots of Fire-style lap around the track to finish your 13.1 mile adventure!

Once you cross the finish line, it's time to treat yourself! Enjoy water, chocolate milk, and bottled beverages as well as fruit, pizza, and other refreshments. Ease your aches and pains away with our certified ART specialist and chiropractors on-hand. Please note: Finish line refreshments and services are for participants only. We ask that family members and spectators respect our participants and sponsors and do not take the refreshments.

Our Awards Ceremony will take place around 10 a.m. inside beautiful Gowans Stadium. We will award our Overall Male Finisher and Overall Female Finisher, as well as 1st-3rd place awards for both males and females in the following age categories: 19 & Under; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65 & Older.