The American Discovery Trail’s coast-to-coast ADT250 Relay is making its way across Kansas and is scheduled to reach Council Grove Monday afternoon, Sept. 21, before continuing east the following morning.
Horses and riders, walkers, bicyclists and a covered wagon are expected to be part of the relay arriving in Council Grove. Information about the Kansas portion of the event was provided to the Council Grove Republican by Justine Staten, executive director of the Kansas Horse Council/EquiFest of Kansas.
The Kansas portion of the relay, called the “Sunflower Stretch,” began Tuesday, Sept. 15, and will cover approximately 575 miles across the state during 10 days. The relay is part of the American Discovery Trail’s ADT250 celebration recognizing the nation’s 250th birthday.
Council Grove residents will have two opportunities to see and participate in the relay locally. Participants are expected to arrive Monday afternoon after completing an 86.1-mile segment from McPherson to Council Grove. That day’s route includes McPherson, Galva, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, Durham, Tampa, Ramona, Herington, Wilsey and Council Grove.
The relay is scheduled to leave Council Grove at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 and will move toward Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park at S 525 Road, Council Grove for a 9 a.m. celebration at AMHP. The exact Council Grove starting point had not been determined at press time.
From FHMP, participants will continue toward Bushong, with portions of the day’s route using the Flint Hills Trail. Bicyclists will take over east of Bushong as the relay continues toward Lawrence.
Walkers will travel from Council Grove to Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park before continuing east on the Flint Hills Trail. Bicyclists are expected to handle much of the distance east of Bushong as the relay completes the 99.2-mile trip from Council Grove to Lawrence. The route passes through Bushong, Allen, Admire, Osage City, Lyndon, Vassar, Quenemo and Pomona before reaching Ottawa.
The relay’s destination on Tuesday is Lawrence, although the Flint Hills Trail itself does not go to Lawrence. At Ottawa, the American Discovery Trail route leaves the Flint Hills Trail and makes a northward leg toward Lawrence, roughly paralleling U.S. 59. Lawrence is an official stop on the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. The American Discovery Trail Society describes the Flint Hills Trail as the portion of its Kansas route used between Council Grove and Ottawa.
Tuesday will be one of the relay’s longest Kansas days, covering 99.2 miles from Council Grove to Lawrence. Scheduled points along the route include Council Grove, Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park, Bushong, Allen, Admire, Osage City, Lyndon, Vassar, Quenemo, Pomona, Ottawa, Pleasant Grove and Lawrence.
Those who cannot meet the relay in person can follow its progress electronically. A Kansas Trails map application is available at map. kstrails.org. Users can select “Install on Your Device” to add the map to an iPhone or Android device and follow the Sunflower Stretch route.
The lead baton also carries a satellite tracker, allowing the public to follow the relay in real time at maps. findmespot.com/s/SSQ7#live/assets. Kansas Trails Inc. plans to provide telephone updates on the baton’s location at approximately 7 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day at 913-2142240. Because the relay is moving continuously, the live tracker may also help local residents determine when participants are approaching Council Grove.
Beginning with Wednesday, Sept. 16, the remaining Kansas schedule has the relay traveling 58 miles from Garden City through Pierceville, Ingalls and Cimarron to Dodge City. Thursday, Sept. 17, is a scheduled day off.
On Friday, Sept. 18, the relay will cover 87 miles from Dodge City through Ford, Kinsley and Garfield to Larned. Saturday’s 57-mile route will go from Larned through Pawnee Rock, Dundee and Great Bend before reaching Ellinwood.
On Sunday, Sept. 20, participants will travel 53 miles from Ellinwood through Chase and Lyons to McPherson. Monday’s 86.1-mile leg will bring the relay to Council Grove, followed by Tuesday’s 99.2mile trip from Council Grove to Lawrence.
The relay will travel 39.1 miles Wednesday, Sept. 23, from Lawrence through Eudora and DeSoto and along Prairie Star Parkway, Haller Trail and Mahaffie Creek Trail before reaching Olathe. The final Kansas segment Thursday, Sept. 24, will cover 17.5 miles from Olathe toward Kansas City, Mo., using portions of Mahaffie Creek Trail, Kansas City Road/127th Street, Indian Creek Trail and Corporate Woods before crossing the Kansas-Missouri state line.
Organizers are encouraging Kansans to meet participants along the route or follow the relay as it crosses the state. Photos from the event may be shared on social media using #SunflowerStretch, #ADT250Relay and #KSTrailsInc and by tagging @ ADT250Relay and @KSTrailsInc.
Questions about the relay may be directed to the American Discovery Trail Society at relay@discoverytrail. org. Equestrian questions may be directed to the Kansas Horse Council at director@kansashorsecouncil. com or 785-565-1976.