The KROP (Kaizen Rite of Passage) kicks off at 6:00 AM in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, so plan to arrive the evening before. This multi-sport event held on September 26, 2026, combines ruck and trail running disciplines across four distance options: 4 miles, 8 miles, 16 miles, and 32 miles. Entry fees range from $45 to $125 depending on your chosen distance. The venue is located at 19679 S 550 Rd. Whether you're tackling an ultra distance or shorter trail effort, you'll want accommodation nearby to handle the early start. This event suits endurance athletes comfortable with mixed terrain and hybrid disciplines, so pack accordingly and consider logistics carefully given the dawn departure time.
From the Race Organizer
DESCRIPTION KROP: Kaizen Rite of Passage – Year 2: DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK! Guess who’s back!? KROP returns to Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the rugged and scenic Welling Ridge Trails for its second year! Runners can choose from 4, 8, 16 (25k), 32 (50k) miles, or the brand-new 40 mile (65k) distance . All races follow the same 4-mile loop, bringing you back through the start/finish area every lap—where the energy, food, and support never stop. Why it's called a rite of passage: so you've done a 5k? Wanna go further but a 10k is too much? We've got a 4 miler for you. So you've done a 10k but a half marathon is too much? Ok, we've got an 8 miler for you. Need something to bridge the gap from half marathon but not quite marathon distance? We got you, try out our 25k. Have you already conquered the marathon and want to take your first step into the ultra world? We've got a 50k. And for those of you who have done a 50k and want to start working your way towards a 50 miler or maybe even a 100k...we now have a 40 miler! The directors of KROP are passionate RUCKERS and KROP is an outstanding place to slap on your first weight vest and move as a team with friends! Scratch all that...maybe you have never set foot on a trail before...we would love for KROP to be your very first trail run ever. And one final layer, maybe you're an experienced trail and ultra athlete, we believe KROP is a fantastic place to PR! Achieve your fastest 50k or otherwise! And because this is KROP , you can expect surprises along the way: The Extra Magic Mile : Our friends at Lake Vian Hilltop Run have inspired this part of our course! At a random time during the day, a bonus mile will appear! It won’t count toward your mileage, but it will count towards your fun! There will be some keepsakes and fun sights along the way should you dare take this extra mile challenge. The Kaizen ROCK of Passage : A massive stone that appears at random. Whomever brings this ROCK back to the finish line will receive a crisp $100 bill as a reward. Year 1 there was only one stone. Year 2 we guarantee at least TWO stones that will be hidden on the course and available for the challenge. This challenge is NOT easy and is for entrants 18 years of age or over only . Let us be clear, we are asking you to potentially carry a 60lbs OR MORE rock with you on single track, technical, root twisted trails. It's as brutal as it sounds. Packet Pick-Up: We recommend early packet pick-up if possible. Early pick-up will be available from 12-5pm on Thursday 9/24 at NSU's Fitness Center or on Friday 9/25 from 4-7pm at the race location at Welling Ridge. Race day pick-up will begin at 5am on Saturday . MUST get your packet a minimum of 15 min prior to your start time! That means if your race starts at 6am you need your packet BEFORE 5:45AM. This is true for all distances. Please obtain your packet a minimum of 15 minutes before your posted start time. Finisher Perks & Awards: Complete just one 4-mile loop and you’ll earn a finisher’s award. 50k and 65k finishers take home a special KROP belt buckle. Top 3 finishers in every distance will receive gold, silver, or bronze variants of the finisher medal. In the Ruck Team Relay, teams battle for 10 hours straight, piling up miles for a chance to claim full-sized championship belts—each sponsored by a different local business. The Vibe: This isn’t just a race—it’s a 12-hour trail running party fueled by Team Kaizen hospitality: Donuts for breakfast starting at 6am Burgers & dogs on the grill starting at 10am A fully stocked aid station with the salty, sugary fuel every runner craves including everyone's favorite BLUE GATORADE that ain't watered down. The Course: Welling Ridge Trails are beautiful but brutal—rock-covered, root-twisted single track that demands focus every step of the way. You may trip. You may fall. But if you don’t show up, you’ll definitely miss out. The Pace: To complete our 50k you'll need to maintain a pace of 22:30 per mile. To complete our 65k you'll need to maintain a pace of 18:00 per mile. Special note about the 65k: Have you heard of the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd? It's a 100 mile race that's also hosted in Tahlequah, OK but in the month of October. The first loop of Pumpkin Holler is 40 miles and the pace to finish all 100 miles is...you guessed it...18 min/mile. We intentionally set up our 40 miler to be YOUR PERFECT final training run should you take on Pumpkin Holler in October! Whether this is your very first trail race or your next ultra, KROP promises challenge, camaraderie, and celebration for every runner. Are you ready for your Rite of Passage ? RUCK RELAY RULES! Teams are up to FOUR people max! Teams of 3 or less are allowed! No separate divisions. ONE team member runs at a time. Teams receive ONE BIB to use as the "baton" to hand off to teammates. Ruck/bib may only be exchanged in the START/FINISH area! ONLY COMPLETED 4 MILE LOOPS COUNT! No partial loops allowed. 20lbs ruck or vest for ALL! Men, women, regardle
Hotels Near This Race
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KROP – Kaizen Rite of Passage 2026 — Tahlequah, OK
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Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for September 26.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Tahlequah, OK.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
When is KROP – Kaizen Rite of Passage 2026 — Tahlequah, OK?
KROP – Kaizen Rite of Passage 2026 — Tahlequah, OK takes place on September 26, 2026. The race is held in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Where is KROP – Kaizen Rite of Passage 2026 — Tahlequah, OK held?
KROP – Kaizen Rite of Passage 2026 — Tahlequah, OK is held at 19679 S 550 Rd in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Where can I find hotels near KROP – Kaizen Rite of Passage 2026 — Tahlequah, OK?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Tahlequah. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
