Preparing for your arrival
Getting to the All Veterans Memorial Park
The All Veterans Memorial Park is located at 931 South Commercial Street, Emporia, KS 66801. Click here for directions. It is just off Hwy 99, across from David Traylor Zoo and Sodens Grove Park.
Parking
Parking is limited - space is available at adjacent Sodens Grove Park, street side parking by Zoo and North one block at Hetlinger Parking Lot. This will require a 500 meter walk to the Expo/Registration/Check-In at the All Veterans Memorial Park.
Lodging and Exploring Emporia/The Flint Hills
First time in town/the Flint Hills? Discover our amazing community and next door neighbor the unique Flint Hills Prairie. Discover it all at visitemporia.com.
Downtown District - Food, Drinks & Shopping
All our cycling shops, many of our best restaurants and definitely unique retail shops are right up the road from our event. We hope you will have time to visit our great locally owned businesses in our award winning downtown historic district. For downtown information, check out:
Weather & Refund policy
Sometimes life throws us a curve or the Weather get's crazy! However we are a volunteer non-profit event so our refund capabilities are limited. Refund applies to on-site events only. There is no refunds for Virtual Events.
Here is how we will work refunds for this year's events:
- 90 days or later before event - full refund
- 45-90 days before on-site events - 50% refund
- Less than 45 days before event - Funds are committed so no refund BUT you will get your Gifts and SWAG Bag.
Weather related issues: If we have to cancel due to heavy ice or lighting all participants will get their SWAG BAGS and GIFTS - since this a charity event we regret we cannot provide a refund as the net proceeds after your gifts will already be committed to support the many charities identified in this guide and at our web site.
So have we ever cancelled due to weather? So far NO! Our heroes trained and fought in bad weather and we can to! Ice and Lightning are criteria for weather delays or cancellations.
If we do cancel then you will be provided a weather code for next years event providing you a 30% discount. We wish we could do more but the SWAG bags and donations are important too! Tune in it KVOE Radio Stations for updates on weather and Emporia Freedom Fest.
Safety
- Emergency? Call 911. Injury Accident: Please notify Race Director Steve Harmon 620-412-7397. First Aid Kits will be at water points/turn around points for each event, as well as at the Expo CheckIn.
- When competing - stay on the route as marked/mapped - off route is private property!
- All routes are open to vehicle traffic and you may have to cross a state highway! Please be very careful and watch out. We don't control the drivers in Lyon County Kansas! When you hit a highway, STOP! Watch for high speed traffic! We will have warning signs on the K-99 but can't stop traffic! Be prepared to get off the road if you get a jerk wanting to dust us on the gravel roads - only happened once in 19 years but you never know!
- Help each other out! Let's make some new friends and keep our current ones!
- Expect to be self-sufficient and pack accordingly. Be prepared to call your support team/family and friends if you have an issue. We will arrange emergency transport for medical emergencies.
- Hydrate and Watch the Weather! This time of year we range from 35 to 85 degrees! Sometimes the same day! We will have water points for all events.
- If you do abandon your event mid-race or prior please notify the Check-in table at the EXPO. We want to ensure we have no lost riders or runners out on the course!
- Have fun and let's be careful out there...
- Don't forget (and I know we won't have an issue with this), leave no trace! We have a beautiful event - let's keep it green and keep it clean! Please consider taking the Visit Emporia Pledge.