Set for its 13th annual running along roughly a five-mile stretch of Kansas City’s scenic Ward Parkway, whose wide landscaped median is filled with fountains and statues, this race features mostly gentle, rolling hills throughout its 13.1 miles, which start and finish at the offices of the local company Burns & McDonnell.
From the start and finish line area at the high school, runners follow this out-and-back loop course first southward along the parkway, and then turn on the road that crosses over Brush Creek and start heading north along Ward Parkway, following the parkway as it winds its way north for the next two miles.
The stretch between the start and the mile 2 marker features the race’s steepest uphill stretch, after which the course largely evens out and features only moderate hills for most of the rest of the course.
At West 83rd Street, runners turn right and head over two blocks to the Ward Parkway Plaza, which they follow as it progresses northward and meets back up with the Ward Parkway.
Runners remain on the parkway for the next three miles, passing by some of the city’s most beautiful stately homes and gardens, and passing by fountains, churches and parks along the way.
