The Emma Creek 5k will celebrate its 33rd year in 2024! The race, which has been held since 1990, is one of the largest women's-only 5k's in the state of Kansas. The Emma Creek 5k is a certified fast-and-flat course for WOMEN AND GIRLS of all ages. Timing chips are used. We offer a post-race buffet and awards ceremony. Awards are presented to the Top 10 finishers and the top 3 in 17 age groups. Join us to run, walk or jog through beautiful Hesston, which is about 40 minutes north of Wichita.

1-MILE FUN RUN ADDED: We are adding a 1-mile fun run this year! The event will not be competitive but participants will still get a shirt and swag bag! You also can get the famous buffet after the race and attend the post-race awards ceremony to try for door prizes! The cost is the same as the 5k. Just click on the "1-Mile Fun Run" when registering.

BUY TICKETS FOR RAFFLE: We are offering a raffle for a beautiful hand-made Emma Creek 5k tied comforter donated by longtime race committee member and runner Lisa Bartel of Newton. The tickets are $10 each. Purchase five tickets and get one free! The winner will be announced at the post-race ceremony. You do not need to be present to win. The comforter was pieced and tied by Jan Lichti of Hydro, OK., formerly of Hesston. Proceeds will go toward Victory in the Valley and scholarships for youth at Hesston Recreation. It is 84" x 65" and is black and lightweight. It is amazing!

INDIVIDUALS/TEAMS: You can join as an individual or with a team. All teams must have at least 5 members. We do not accept team entries on race day. Kinds of teams: Family team - related by blood or marriage; Workplace team - employed by the same institution or who share common office space; Special interest team - in the same club, church, etc. The first person to register as part of a team will create a team name. All other members of that team will need to use that exact team name. A few team names (such as Hesston Elementary) already have a team name created. To start a new team have one person of that team register and enter a team name. After that, other team members can register and click on that team name. Contact us if you have any questions.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES: Register for the race by April 15 to get the early-bird rate. After that date, the cost goes up $2 per registration. The deadline to order registrations with a TRI-BLEND SHIRT also is April 15. There will be no refunds issued after March 31 for any registrations. Online registration for the race ends at noon on April 25. After that, registrations will be taken in the Hesston Recreation office until noon on April 26 or before the race on April 27 inside Hesston High School.

PLEASE NOTE: Our shirt supplier is experiencing shortages in some shirts. We’re not sure if there will be shortages around race time. If we experience shortages in a color or brand of shirt we may have to make substitutions. We will only do this if a shirt isn’t available. Thanks for understanding!

NEW THIS YEAR: We are offering a raffle for a beautiful hand-made Emma Creek 5k comforter donated by longtime race committee member and runner Lisa Bartel. The tickets are $10 each. Purchase five tickets and get one free! The winner will be announced at the post-race ceremony. You do not need to be present to win. Proceeds will go toward Victory in the Valley and scholarships for youth at Hesston Recreation.

AWARDS: Awards will be given to the Top 10 overall and top 3 per age group. Age groups are 8 & younger; 9-11; 12-17; 18-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80-84; and 85 and older. No prizes will be handed out before the ceremony. Winners receive a beautiful stoneware plate created by sculptor Lynn Lais and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Top Ten overall also receive a $40 gift certificate.

PACKET PICKUP DAYS/HOURS: Participants may pick up their packets at the Hesston Recreation office from 2 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, or from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, April 26. Packets also will be available on race day in the Hesston High School commons beginning at 8 a.m. Go to www.hrce.org for directions. TEAMS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO PICK UP THEIR PACKETS BEFORE RACE DAY.

PARKING: Race day parking includes the Hesston High School parking lot, the football stadium parking lot and the parking lots at Hesston’s middle and elementary schools.

SALE ITEMS: Emma Creek shirts & other items from previous races will be available for sale before and after the race. We’ll have some great items for sale!

MEDICAL AID: Emergency medical assistance will be available.

RULES: Strollers are welcome, but should line up toward the back of the starting line. Please no cell phone use or pets in the race. No scooters please.

MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL TRACK ATHLETES: All Kansas middle school, junior high and high school track and field athletes are ineligible to enter or compete due to KSHSAA rules.

PROCEEDS: Proceeds provide scholarships and programming for Hesston Recreation, a not-for-profit organization.

RACE RESULTS: Results of the race will be available at timerguys.com.

FACEBOOK: Join us at “Emma Creek Classic 5K” on Facebook.

Course: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1732463099