Cristina Ruiz's Staging Area

You won’t find your typical Kansas City runner at this race. If you are looking for the regular race runners, this is not your crew. What you will find, though, is a large group of runners looking to have a fun time, families on a family-fun night, and couple trading in dinner and a movie for miles and an ice cream finish.
The Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation Night Flight 5k is one of a handful of night races in the Kansas City area. Participants are only guaranteed a shirt if they register by the deadline, but late registrants are offered prior year’s shirts, until supplies last. Medals are only awarded to the top finishers, but all finishers cooldown with a vanilla frozen custard, oranges, water and uncrustable sandwiches.
As for the course itself, the 5k sticks to the Legacy Park trail path. I have only every been on this course for this night race, and it’s a nice stroll through the park. There were no street lights on the majority of the course, so runners are guided by glowsticks and moonlight. At the mile markers, volunteers held up an iPad with the running clock time, and I thought it was a cute touch. With a week out for my 55k ultra, the goal was miles, not PRs. The 151 feet elevation gain helped me achieve that goal while shaving five minutes from my time from last year. Jkelling suffered through some achilles heel issues, but that didn’t stop him from bringing it to a finish line sprint. I will never cease to thank him for being such an amazing running and training partner, but these finish line sprints? It’s not about the competition (maybe a little), rather being about to push ourselves, individually and together. It’s fun to dig in deep to see what I can do, especially at the finish line. I am deeply and truly grateful for the opportunity to push myself to new limits, and it is in great part thanks to jkelling’s support.
As I mentioned, this race truly is for everyone. When I finished, there was still a trail of people behind us and a large group of people enjoying the festivities. With 400 participants, it’s easy to see why Lee’s Summit continues to put on the race. It’s not the typical race, but it is definitely a community event. Next year, I’ll be sure to sign-up early to guarantee a t-shirt, because yes, even though there is no medal and it’s on the opposite of town – Night Flight is a fun race.

Summer is officially upon us and Hometown Half became the second race to welcome the heat, humidity, and hills. Some may even add humility to the mix. While it was a tad disappointing to not run Hometown Half in Parkville, I am in the minority to welcome a rarely used course for an traditional race. And traditional race it was: BIG swaggy metal, nicely designed t-shirt, goodies for the final runner (me) and a good ol’ time with friends and the running family.
The Hometown Half was everything you can come to expect from a Bodies Race: 5k, 10k and half marathon distances. The 5k/10k medal was a smaller version of the half marathon’s license plate-sized medal. The t-shirts were different colors to annotate the different race distance. Once again, the 5k and 10k shared a design, while the half marathon sported a navy blue shirt.
As for the course itself, it varied from the “Running from Yeti” course (yes, I have slacked on that review…it’s coming…I promise). We started at the Frank Vaydik Park and veered to the hilly right side of things. If you are familiar with the area, which I am not entirely, the half marathon stayed on the paved trail until we reached the back side of Costco. The unmanned aid station, one of three, served as the turnaround. Half marathons ultimately had seven aid stations, after hitting each one twice. The course itself lacked race-supported portajohns on the course (typical of Bodies’ races), but I was able to sneak into one at the local park along the way. It did land me a final place finish, but more on that later.
The out and back route may not entice many people, but for the half marathon, I enjoyed this course. Yes, we had the dreadful hills, but for the scenery, trees provided needed shade at the beginning and end. Running alongside the highway gave some needed white noise distraction. The occasional neighbor gave us runners that internal ego boast of “yes, I’m running in this heat and I’m awesome for it”. Meanwhile the strip mall near the turnaround brought me back to reality and reminded me that I had things to return to the store. All in all, while the crowd support was minimal, the changing scenery gave enough of a distraction to stay focused and enjoy the run. Heck, even a sprint may have been done in the tunnels. (Thankfully, jkelling wasn’t next to me because I would have lost our tunnel challenge. whew! )
Now, to be clear, I have no shame to be the final runner. It is always a friendly competition for me with my fellow runners. If I do end up rubber-banding with a runner, I make it a point to thank them at the finish line. While jkelling gives me the mental motivation I so desperately need, sometimes, the stranger runner pushes me. At Hometown Half it was my friend, Sarah, the turtle, and Jessie, a first-time half marathoner. Prior to my break, I was a decent distance ahead of them. Even afterwards, I was able to catch up and pass them. But Sarah and Jessie had other plans. Sarah knew I would and could finish. Our sights were set on Jessie completing her first half marathon. I fell to a walk and I was 100% okay with it, while jkelling assured Sarah she was doing the right thing by sticking with Jessie. They finished minutes before me and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Jessie finished her first half marathon and Bodies gave her the finisher treatment they give EVERYONE!
The KC running community is on the verge of some changes. Bodies has expanded, the race director for another race company retired, and some races are going away. I’m not sure what is going to happen, but I’m glad to see the sense of community that embraced me as a runner is still alive and well. We go out, we chit-chat at the start, we run our race and we celebrate each other. Some of us qualify for Boston (here’s looking at you Becky), other ruck their way through the ruckery (yup, that’s you jkelling) and then there it the cloud counter and tree-namer (yes, I am raising my hand), yet, we all support each. Bodies supports us all equally. Do I wish there was more crowd support on the course? Sure. An extra aid station would be nice, but I keep coming back because when I cross the finish line I know I am greeted with a cheer, cool beverage and a genuine friendly smile and congratulations. Hills with always humble me, but Bodies? They honor every runner. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s cut to the chase – RWTC, or affectionately known as Cows, is must do race. Do the rolling hills and stretches of shadeless road scare you? Pssh! Nonsense! Those are battlefields to be conquered and destroyed. The reward? Some of the best, well-designed medals and shirts, a huge spread of homemade and commercial goodies (I’m talking fruit, yogurt, sandwiches, pulled pork, chicken nuggets, cookies, brownies, cupcakes….) and, of course, bragging rights.

Cows is a THE fundraiser for this local Catholic elementary school and they pull out all the stops. As soon as you come off the highway, volunteers are directing traffic. With the recent mishaps I’ve had with Google maps, I think I need to turn to these guys for directions instead. Once into the parking lot, don’t get too distracted from the local Knights of Columbus smoking racks of ribs (sold separately). The parking lot has plenty of porta johns. (Insider tip: go to the ones facing the grassy area. There were NO lines compared to the growing lines for the porta john facing the parking lot.). My favorite pre-race tradition is probably going into the small church for a prayer. It’s a great way to start the day and multiple runners can be seen going into to say a prayer.

The pre-race is relatively small, but plenty of things to keep the energy going. Arrive early and check out the merchandise table and the multiple cows – real and fake. Father will start things with a prayer for all the runners and then one of the students will sing the National Anthem. It’s a personal start to an excellent race.

As mentioned, this is a fundraiser for the school. The school family volunteers SHOW UP with a smile! The “cow crew” jeeps control the road, families have table full of water and Gatorade. And of course, there are cowbells and cows along the way. The cheers are sincere and the assistance is genuine. For example, at one of the later aid stations, a young volunteer noticed I was tired and sprang into action to get me a cup of water. That is the attention to detail you will see on this race.

As for the race itself, we start off in the parking lot and head toward Metcalf for about 2.5 miles before turning right for another mile. Miles 4.5 to 7, or so, are an out and back to Metcalf. I always like crossing the other runners. It’s motivating to see the faster runners, as we all encourage each other. Once we get back to Metcalf, less than a mile from the finish, we turn left for the last bit out and back. Last year, I hated this stretch. It seemed like the miles kept getting longer. Yet, this year, it wasn’t as terrible. Don’t get me wrong – I’m still tired, but this year, it wasn’t as bad.

The course did not change from last year, but my time did. I was able to shave about 10 minutes off last year. It was nothing compared to jkelling shaving 20+ minutes off this time! The hills didn’t go anywhere, but apparently, training miles do pay off. I really can’t give enough props to jkelling for being the perfect race partner. There are more days than not that someone (me) will procrastinate or stall running miles. I’m surprised my eyes haven’t rolled down a hill as much as I have rolled them at the hills. Yet, jkelling keeps pushing me and sees through the stalling and eyerolls. It’s races like these that hold a greater victory than a medal.

I’m not sure how many runners were behind me, but with the numbers of volunteers and energy at the finish line, you would have thought tons more. Was I that fast? Nope. This is what they do at Cows. They wait. They wait and cheer on EVERY runner. They also make sure that EVERY runner can partake in the huge buffet. Even if your plate is full, there is no doubt that a volunteer will tell you to take more.

As we ate our plateful of food, jkelling and I shared how much we loved the race. We celebrated our time accomplishments and asked each when next year’s race will open. Yes, it’s that good of a race. Cows – if you are reading, when you have sign-up at the finish line for the following year, jkelling and I will probably fight each other to see which one of us will be the first one to sign-up.

Full disclosure….jkelling has been hyping Indy Mini since January 2025. I like to travel, so I thought “okay, sure. I’ll go to ‘Indianapolis’ to a race.” Did you hear the ring of supportive doubt and wonder about Indianapolis?

Well, let me slap any doubt out of your face, because Indianapolis Indy Mini slapped any doubt in my mind out of my face and covered it with a new shade of race favorites.

I’ve done NYC and Chicago marathons, and honestly, I’m putting the Indy Mini on par with those races. From the moment that I signed up communication was on point. It was never overwhelming, the website is easy to navigate and the follow-up emails with specific packet pick-up information came at the right moment. Jkelling and I had a couple specific questions and the race director, Luke, was always prompt, supportive and personalized. You would have thought that we were at the local 5k and not a well-known 20,000 runner race.

We arrived to the expo a little later than expected, but we still able to see all, if not most, of the booths. Packet pick-up was swift and painless. There was a tshirt exchange booth. I didn’t need to visit, but I always appreciate the presence and want to point it out. Indy offered both women and men size shirts. As any woman may tell you, sizes can vary a great deal. This time around they seemed pretty true to size. Although we were late, we were on time to snag some of the limited edition bomber jackets. They fit right into the racing theme and I can’t wait to wear it on cooler weather days and share more racing in Indianapolis stories.

I highly recommend anyone to partake in the “Greatest Spectacle Challenge”, which consists of the 3-6-10 miler series, 5k race and half marathon. It’s a push, but definitely well worth the challenge. We walked away with 4 very stylish medals and 4 soft-cotton t-shirts, two long-sleeved and two short-sleeved. After the race we wore our medals out and you could see the envy at our challenge medal.

If I haven’t enticed you enough, let’s get to the race. With 20,000 runners, wave starts are a must. We arrived early and I started to have some doubts because the corrals were not open yet. Within 20 minutes, the doubts disappeared as the DJ pumped up the growing crowds and runners hustled into the correct wave. I did not catch the name of the singer for the National Anthem, but man, it was THE PERFECT START. There’s something heart whelming to listen to an impassioned rendition of the National Anthem at sunrise on a crisp, breezy Spring morning. At that moment, I knew Indianapolis was ready to bring it!

The 5k was first (see other review for details) and then the infamous Indy Mini. As a back of the packer, I had a little more time from the end of the 5k to the start of the half, but it was enough to get in place without losing momentum. After the DJ announcing “last wave, best wave”, we were off! Course support was NON-STOP the entire way. I loved how huge “WATER” banners announced the aid stations feet away. It made it easier to make a plan to secure an easy flow. Thanks to the huge crowd support, and jkelling’s constant motivation, the first half of the race was steady and strong. It was just the right energy I wanted for the speedway.

Aww, the speedway…. While the 5k, any distance really, is a great accomplish, I would say if you can only do one race – aim for the half. The 5k race misses the insanely awesome experience of sprinting down the speedway entrance (thank you for that push jkelling) and being on the same race track as so many greats. For the Gold Mile at the start of the speedway, well, it was the only proper way for it to be done. One of the many organizations handed out American flags. Sadly, I have to skip it, but only for the sole reason that I am not a coordinated runner and I did not want to accidently drop the flag or mishandle it in any way. I wanted to do the mile right and honor the fallen, but the mile was long. Tears filled my eyes and my throat locked up as I saw a young fellow runner, run next to a picture of a fallen solider, give him a kiss and then finish her race. I saw her. She looked strong – in more ways than one. I thank her and all our servicemen and women. It is never lost on me that I can whine my way through a race thank to their, and my family’s, sacrifices.

Tight calves led to heel pains and slower times. My phone started losing power, so I turned off my headphones, but the music continued. Yes, the crowd continued on, whether blaring music, calling out our names (thanks to personalized bibs) or neighbors offering shots of adult spirits. The spirits came at the right time and help subdue some of the heel pain. My pace picked up a bit and I was able to get back on track.

The course is an easy one. Flat, fast, long straight lines with only a slight elevation change. There was one longer hill, but nothing too frightening. When I go back, because yes, I will definitely be back, I can see it being PR course (barring any injuries). The checkered flag finish is amazing. You’ll want to run it all, but hold back a bit. It’s a long finish. Enjoy the crowds and live the moment. It’s a good one. Once you get to the corrals, kick it in – the finish photo will thank you.

Once you get your finisher medal, take the finish line photos and grab your grocery bag of goodies – ENJOY THE MOMENT! Indianapolis was not going anywhere. Live music, food trucks, finish line gear, and photo opps were only a handful of the things onsite to enjoy. Jkelling hyped up the race and certainly did it justice. If travel (and a growing list of key races) wasn’t an issue, I’d be at the this race as often as I could. Thank you Indianapolis (and jkelling) for giving me such an amazing run!

I liked the medal….and it pretty much ended there.
I hate downing a race, because I know a lot of time and effort goes into putting on a race, however, this race was draining rather than invigorating.
First the good, the medal was a Dorothy-theme with red glitter and a double-spinner. The medals are specific to the distance, which I always appreciate. The soft cotton t-shirt is perfectly fine. I’ll have to check the stats for elevation gain, but the race was a rough one. Any runner will get a good workout of the of the race and will continuously wind through the neighborhoods.
Now for the not so pleasant. First aid station had ZERO cups 30 minutes into the race. The 10k runners did not get any water stations. When water stations were available, some were same plastics cups, others had small water bottles and others paper cups. Those details matter to a runner. The sports drink was a watered down version or what you find at regular races. I didn’t see any energy gel, so if there were any, they were closely guarded. One of the aid stations did have some bananas, and I only saw them because the little girl actively held out her tray. If you were a back of the pack marathon, aid stations were quickly picked up.
The crowd support is pretty much non-existent. The only real cheerleader was a local lady who made her way from the beginning of the race to the end. She was a genuine supporter happily cheering on runners. The high school cheerleaders were about two miles from the finish line, and they were friendly. The majority of the other volunteers seemed like they were out there to check the boxes either for work or school, but not so much for the runners. Fanfare was nice at the finish line, but most runners will tell you that on-the-course support makes a WORLD of difference.
While the t-shirt was soft, it is more on the thin side. Nearly 10 years ago, I did my first 10k here. The only think I remember about the race was I received a really nice, medium-weight, technical shirt. I held on to the shirt for a long time (it’s probably still stuck in closet somewhere). So, I was disappointed that the quality of the shirt went down – kinda like the race itself.

First bit of advice: sign up early. This race sells out and sells out early! A couple of friends missed out on the race because it sold out.
Second bit of advice: get ready for some FUN!!!
With a start at the KC ZOO, runners get a ‘quick’ loop on the zoo’s perimeter and crossing into the local neighborhood. This year, the course changed a bit for an even grander finish line. As previously, runners immediately turned left toward the KC Pet Project facility, but, this time around only went about a third of a mile instead of the full mile. During the race, jkelling and I wondered why the change, but dealt with it. With a shorter initial turnaround, the rest of the race pretty much remained the same. The uphill stretch to Swope Parkway, turnaround past the roundabout and enjoy the steady downhill on the way back. Instead of going directly down the hill to the finish line, runners turned right and finish the last half mile or so to end at the KC Pet Project facility. I LOVE the new course!
The new course still offers a good variation of gentle hills, allowing any serious runner to push it, but not so heavy that the many walkers will feel overwhelmed or rushed. The finish line festivities included coffee, adult beverages, treats for the NUMEROUS furry friends, and KC Pet Project was open for puppy cuddles and pet purchases.
I do a lot of races with varying distances, but KC Pet Project 5k has quickly become one of my favorite races. The medal is nice, heavy, well-designed and worthy of any half marathon. The soft cotton t-shirt is worth the additional cost (yes, jkelling, I will not skip it next time, be envious for a year and then purchase it the day of the event).
There is one caveat you should know about this race. If you are a furry friend lover, your time and pace may be at jeopardy. Along with being a human, family-friendly race, our wonderful four-legged family members are also welcome and come out in full force. Boops along the way are welcome (with owner permission, of course).
So, sign-up early, don’t skip the t-shirt, stay for the festivities and in between all the fun, run some good miles.

The Fence Stiles Wine 5k was the perfect end to an already pretty awesome day. After a rough, but worthy half (see Rock the Parkway review), this was the perfect recovery 5k stroll. While I was tired from the earlier race, jkelling ran like the wine was going to run out and pushed himself for an impressive PR time. Luckily, the wine did not run out when I finished, it only flowed more.
As the third wine 5k I have partaken in, this is hands down my favorite of the three. The evening start time allowed the majority of us runners to settle in for the evening and soak in the gorgeous scenic views. The crisp blue sky slowly turned into a colorful set with Bodies Race Company providing the perfect race playlist and background vibes. The course itself was a 2-lap route through the various rows of baby grapes awaiting to mature into the crisp dry wines offered by Fence Stile. Since I had already decided to walk the course, I appreciated the various trips through the rows in the vineyard. All runners were on the course on all times. It made it easy to cheer on friends, new and old.
Like other wine 5ks, the swag included a soft cotton t-shirt, matching wine-themed medal, collapsible wine cup and a free glass of wine. There were two waves start, 5:00pm and 6:30pm, which is pretty common with other wine 5ks. It was clear that most people opted for the first wave and enjoy the post-celebration more.
While I have been running consistently for nearly 8 years, I still, many times, consider myself a newbie. I’m not fast. I don’t cross-train or recover as I should, but I try to never give up. These ‘fun runs’ remind me that maybe I am a seasoned runner (man, I never thought I would say that), and, as such, I want to cheer on and welcome everyone on the course. I encountered many first-timers on the course. They were pushing themselves. I felt honored to cheer them on. The great mix of runners – new, old, young, seasoned – merged together as we ran together through the vineyard and celebrated the majestic sunset. We all went out there to run our miles and finish the race. We were out there together. Sometimes, at the ‘big’ races, that sense of comradery can get lost the in the efforts to beat the clock.
A shoutout to Fence Stile. There was a line for the free wine, but the small, personable staff powered through and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. They allowed us to stay a little longer and really enjoy the twinkles of the night.
Yup, this seemingly fun run was full of miles, wine and good times. What more can a girl ask for? Not much. Oh, wait – a repeat in the future.

If you have read any of my other reviews, you may notice a trend: hills are NOT my best friends. We are frenemies, at best. I will roll my eyes and hate life on 95% of training hills. Eh, who am I kidding 100% of training hills (even if I unintentionally planned the route). Well, the joke is on me. Thanks to all those miles, and more importantly jkelling’s motivation, I shaved 10 minutes off my prior course time AND two minute off my course record, setting a new course PR. Was it a new half PR? Not by a long shot. But Liberty is one of those races that you CELEBRATE a finish! Because, why the hill not?

For the 10th anniversary, a 10k joined the 5k and half marathon routes. I doubt I will ever give up the half for the 5k or 10k, but I would like to do those courses. They all start with the same downhill from the college, and turn into the residential area, but after that I couldn’t give much details on the 5k and 10k course. Mile 4 on the half hits runners with one of the first long hills. There are hills in the first mile or so, but mile 4 shows you why you came to party. Miles 12 helps you celebrate the party as the responsible collegiate frat guys offer up adult beverages. Yes, it is a well-deserved treat and kick to the finish.

After weeks of playing touch and go with tight calve muscles and hamstrings, I wanted to do well at Liberty. There was no way I wanted to limp along the way, as I did at a few recent races. I found that the key was remember the interval training, keep moving and to never let my running partner down. He was absolutely KILLED the course, shedding 30 minutes from his course time. I couldn’t have been prouder of him. As back of the packers, training miles are not a quick ‘4 miles in 30 minutes before work’. Our hard work paid off and it felt good! Truly, everyone should be so lucky to have a running partner that motivates, inspires and pushes them.

When it comes to swag, Liberty is on point! The long-sleeve tri-blend shirt is cozy and the drawstring bag comes in handy for post-race clothes, but the real coveted item are the Liberty gloves! Yes, they may be the ‘magic’ stretch unisex gloves, but they are the perfect weight, warmth, and have touchscreen tips that actually work. Plus, I love getting extra swag at races.

I have to give a huge shoutout to the Smart Pacers team. My goal is always finish. I hesitate to set time goals, because I don’t want to be selfish. I am grateful to be on the course – PERIOD. Well, at mile 8 or so, I told the 3:15 pacer that I wanted to beat my 3:18 times from 2018. She passed me, but told the 3:20 pacer, who was a bit fast. Well, he got back on track and pushed me to finish on time. Whenever he saw me slow down, he would call out my name and yell that he was catching up to me. With four miles left, he quickly did the math and told me what pace I had to maintain to meet my course. I did – thanks to the Smart Pacer team and jkelling’s patience with me on training miles.

Liberty 2026 may be over, but I’m already waiting for the early bird registration to open. Sure, I’ll hate the hills (again), but I’ll finish and be grateful for it.

There’s not much to say about the B.E.A.R.D 10k. The 10k was short by more than a quarter mile, the medal was the same as the prior two years, and the course itself was a good challenge on this particular spring-like morning. Less than 100 runners, the race had some familiar faces and some out for a good run. Rumor has it that this was the final year for this 3-year-old race, and honesty, it was noticeable in the production.

I hate downing a race because I know that putting on race is not an easy feat. I especially don’t like to criticize a race when I was able to get a good run out of it. However, as I already noted, there wasn’t anything that stood-out about the race. We showed up, the 10k runners ran the hilly, park course twice and were treated to simple round medal at the end. The two, unmanned water stations consisted of a case of bottled water on a table with an arrow directing traffic. It was not a closed course, so we ran into the occasional biker. Yet, I liked the course. The steep uphill at the beginning led the way for a fast start and show, challenging finish. It wasn’t my best time, by a long shot, but good enough for a 2nd place age award (aww, the benefits of getting old).

As previously mentioned, rumor is that this was the last year for the race, so I am glad I was able to do a ‘new to me’ course. Will I do this race again if it comes back next year? Maybe….probably only to do some post miles in the Lenexa retail area and do some exploring.

It’s Valentine’s Day! What better way to enjoy a day of love and friendship that doing something you love with friends you love! Mother nature decided to spread her love as well with a downpour of showers, puddles of messy love, eh, mud and cool temperature. Yet, the Sweetheart 10k is still a solid course, welcoming for the 5k and challenging for the 10k. The chocolate-covered strawberry themed medal and long sleeved soft cotton shirt were a bit of a play off of last year, but still really nice. I usually opt out of the shirt, but opted-in and glad that I did.

The course is pretty straightforward: head out of the parking lot, turn left, three rights and run a square 5k with a beginning uphill, varying hills in the middle section and finish with a decent downhill. I hate giving up a 10k for a 5k, but I can see this course being relatively easy to run and get a faster finish time. Now, the 10k route, is another story. It would be a little harder to PR due to the trail. 10k runners split from the 5k roughly at the 2.5 mile mark and veer into the hilly trail. Again, it’s a good challenge, and it got the best of me this time around.

I did 3 pre-miles with jkelling and, sadly, when the actual race started, I got a crippling pain in my left knee. (I’ve heard that stretching is good for running. Who knew? ) While technically, my mile 4, it was at the start. Big thanks to some friends on the course, I nursed it a bit with some Tiger Balm, but it wasn’t enough. By mile 4, I was down to a steady walk. I didn’t want to risk a bigger injury with a major race (Psycho Wyco) coming up. It was hands down my slowest 10k in a long time and super grateful for jkelling’s company. I normally hate holding him back, but it was a rough day and I needed the motivation and company on the course.

By the time we finished, we were soaked from the constant downpour. Thankfully, I had spare clothes in the car and was able to change into dry, warm clothes. Hopefully, next year I will be able to really take advantage of the easy route and run it more. I’d say go for a fast 5k, but someone will surely veto that idea in favor of a fast 10k. While the day was cold, wet and injury-filled, KCRC still brought the energy to the table with love-themed pop songs and vibes. It was fun day and one of the best Valentine’s day celebrations.

It is not often people in the Midwest advise wearing shorts and a tank top on a sub-10 degree day, but that is definitely what you’ll need for the GroundHog 5k/10k challenge. You’ll also need an early arrival, extra oxygen, bag drop and resignation to shotty cell and GPS signal. And if you do it all right, heck, even if you didn’t, you’ll want to sign up again because the GroundHog Run is that kind of vibe and race.

Unless you pay for the limited VIP parking, runners park at the local casino and shiver in the cold waiting for one of 5 or so school buses for transport to the start. This is where an early arrival is necessary. Last year, I only did the 10k and hardly had to wait. I made the mistake to think I would have such luck for the 5k arrival. The 5k by far attracts more people than the 10k. We arrived shortly after 7am and had to wait a good 15-20 minutes. The lines got longer as we waited, and there is no waiting in your car until it starts. I saw a few runners run to the start, but I’m just not that fast to do it. Organizers do have the process down to a science though. Volunteers hurried runners into the buses and kept the line moving. However, you’ve heard it here first: next year I will arrive EARLY.

Once at the caves, there is another wait for bag drop-off and/or packet pickup. I normally do packet pickup on race day, but I’m glad I did it beforehand this year. We are in a cave, so tighter corners and this isn’t an event to wait in line. You can either feed off everyone’s energy or find a corner to sit and contemplate why you are getting up early on a cold Sunday morning. The benefit of moving around, of course, is that you can warm and “stretch”. Next year, because, of course, there is going to be a next year, I will arrive early, take advantage of the bag drop-off and try to avoid standing in line.

The back-to-back challenge takes runners through the Subtroplis caves in North Kansas City. With a humid, 60+ degree temperature, wearing one too many layers will have runners wishing they dressed in less clothes or removing a layer during the race. Yes, I regretted my warm leggings and yearned for shorts during the 5k. Time waves don’t seem to be strictly enforced, but I may be wrong. The music is pumping, people are moving and spirits are high. I had a downloaded playlist on my phone, because I knew cell signal would be non-existent. While my Garmin did not have signal, it did track a fairly accurate mileage count based on my movement.

The races have a two-hour gap between them. It was plenty of time for recovery, aid stops and any wardrobe changes deemed necessary. The kids’ dash is held at 10am, but I missed a friend’s kid because they also did it in waves and I didn’t realize it.

Typically, a 5k course will have one aid station, but due to the humidity, there were at least two. Volunteers handed out small plastic water bottles, because I can only imagine the mess paper cups would leave. The 10k course has runners take two laps, on a well-marked course. Since we are in a cave, there are lots of turns, but all gentle ones with an occasion incline.

As much as I am not a fan of warm or humid races, GH is a nice contrast to the cold weather and serves as a reminder that spring and summer will come faster than you think. Finish line amenities include water, bananas, oranges and some other sort of treat. I skipped out because we had a crew of about 12 or so heading to brunch afterwards.

With 44 years under their belts, GH puts on a great race. The swag includes cute medals, a soft-shirt and a goofy connector for the 5k and 10k, if you do the challenge. The bibs are colorful and people, overall, are in good spirits. The training miles continue to pay-off as I shed nearly 6 minutes for my time from last year. Arrive early, dress for warm weather and have fun, because there is a good chance that you’ll meet a new friend on the bus and invite them to brunch. Yes, GroundHog 5k/10K makes even the most under-the-bed cat come out to play.

It’s winter. It is going to be cold. There is no “I hope it’s sunny” or “Should I wear short-sleeve or long-sleeve?” Battle of the Bean could also be called Battle of the Frigid, because with a start line nestled between two ends of the strip mall, a straight wind will remind you that “yes, you paid to run in the middle of winter”.
Yet, BOTB is the unofficial first race of the year. With nearly 500 participants, runners come out of hibernation for a ‘quick’, cold 5k and warm coffee at the local coffee shop. (The prior two races had 200-276 runners.) Most participants show up to knock out the first 5k of the year (and in reality, it is only one of two 5ks in the area for January), but I mark it as the runniversary of jkelling and I pushing each other to be better and test each other’s limits.
I mention all the above, because BOTB is more of an emotional race. The strip mall start and residential slight inclines form a lollipop, but don’t account for new and old runners kicking off the new year on the right foot. Old runners welcome new runners for a coffee afterwards, as long as their headphones are off, and willingly share new goals and races. This race will always be cold, with most participants waiting in their cars until start time, but everyone always seems happy to welcome in the new year with friends and fitness.
I opted out of the long-sleeve cotton shirt, but envied those wearing it. I did opt for the coffee mug and love using it. The medal mistakenly has Team Cocoa ahead of Team Coffee, but that’s probably only because Team Coffee is waiting to run ahead (Go Team Coffee Go!). It’s very cute and I love how the cocoa mug and coffee cup are racing. With a finish line treat of hot cocoa or coffee, it hits the spot and warms the body for a few seconds.
JKelling and my goal was to beat last year’s time (and me beat him by 10 seconds, since he beat me by 5 seconds last year). Well, those summer miles continue to pay off because we shave off more than 4 minutes off our time. I will continue to make unattractive faces during the summer and try to get out of long training runs, but yes, the proof is in the pudding.
BOTB will continue to be on my race list. It’s fun, well-planned out and a constant reminder of what I am capable of. So, if someone invites you to coffee, take out the headphones, accept the invite and enjoy the beginning of a wonderful race, and more.

Running on New Year’s Day? A few year’s ago I would have balked at the idea. Now, I absolutely love it. The crisp air, later start time and literally kicking off the new year with a new race is better than any mixed cocktail (okay, maybe not, but the sentiment is right).

This year’s goal is for consistent paces and sub 3:10 half marathons, as race conditions and injuries permit (summer time is a goal to finish alive). I was close on this race: 3:13. I will take that time any time of year and it was particularily motivating as the first race of the year on the first day of the year.

Last year, I did the Hangover 10k, but was roped-in with kicks to the ground to do the half marathon. The hill at the end of mile 1 is sure to kill any hangover for both the 10k and half runners. If I remember correctly, there were three aid stations, at the 10k/half split, mile 5 or so and then a mile or so from the half turn around. Due to the cool weather, I really didn’t need any more than the three stations. There may have been another, but I don’t recall. I enjoy out and back course, especially on smaller races, because you are never truly alone on the route. Whether it’s a high-five or chasing a rabbit, its a good source of motivation.

I’ve run Indian Creek Trail as part of Corporate Woods, and I actually really liked this route of the trail. We did NOT start at Corporate Woods, as with other races, and explored another portion of a very long trail. While it was in the park, we had a decent challenge of 3 or 4 hills and scenic residential views.

Now, the misses. There were three bibs designs. My friends received the cool “Hangover Half” designed bib, while I received a generic RoadID bib. They also ran out of medals. I finished and a volunteer was taking down our numbers to later mail our medals. I’m happy to report that I received mine on Jan. 10. Strike 3 was the lack of finish line mimosas. Jkelling KILLED the route (and not just a little death, but demolished and danced a victory dance while eating popcorn) with a 2:39 time, and did not get a famed mimosa shot. While three strikes would end the game, it doesn’t for Hangover Half.

Hangover Half (or 10k) was a great race to get the blood pumping, start the new year off right and truly be grateful for another year of racing. Plus, I love the different swag and this time around it was a blue pint glass. A bright yellow hoodie was available for an extra fee, but I opted out. I will probably opt-in next year, because I will definitely be back next year.

Aww, there is a certain bittersweetness in writing the last review for the last race of the year. As invorigating as it was to finally achieve a 5k PR a week prior, the Tutu Run was the perfect end to the racing year. Did we get an official time or age award? Nope. Instead we got a fun tutu, free hot chocolate, Cherry Mash candy, a plastic medal and, as a lucky trio that we are – custom bibs (I’ll explain in a bit).

The 1.25 fun run under the Christmas lights was last minute, wonderful decision. I missed the local 5k Christmas run, so this was a welcome stroll. Walkers do climb a steady hill at the start, but it’s nothing earthshattering or heartbreaking. Plus the light display serves as the perfect excuse to slow down and count the clouds, er, lights. This is an extremely family-friendly event. No one is out there looking to get a PR or knock out the competition. Once at the top of the hill, skip the signs for the funnel cakes, because they are closed, and head directly to the open-air tunnel of lights. Eventually, you’ll pass through the actual tunnel where kids will delight in hearing their echos, while others will try to speedwalk out of the tunnel. Be sure to take your time. The event start at dusk, but the longer you stroll the lights inevitably become more vivid.

As I mentioned, all participants recieve a festive tutu, plastic medal, hot chocolate and Cherry Mash candy. It was my friend’s 52nd race of the year, a personal goal for her, so we made personal, custom bibs for ourselves, which caught the eye of a few other runners at the start line. So, along with the tutus and matching bibs, we also, by chance, wore matching sweatshirts from another race. Without knowing, or planning it, our trio looked like a real team and it was made the experience that much more fun.

As short as the route was, I am intrigued to a run a 5k there – yes, a 5k, not a 10k, half marathon or 6-hr endurance race (yes, this is directed to a certain running partner). Tutu Trot is definitely more fun with a group of friends, and a great way to celebrate a year of running and friendship.

As the unofficial last race of the year, Westport Santa Dash brings the festivities, even amidst some pre-race start time confusion. But can you really go wrong with Santa-dressed runners in one of Kansas City’s original entertainment districts? In most cases, not really.

The race started at 10am, no 9am…wait 10am…scratch that 9am. Yes, a 9am confirmed start time. The race was originally, and traditionally, held at 10am. It is a great lead-in to the adjoining Christmas market. Then suddenly, and quietly, the week of the race the start time was changed to 9am, but only on some of the published information. For such a long-standing, established event, it was disappointing to have such a confusion. What was worse was that the time change was poorly executed and communicated to runners. A group of friends and I sent a message more than once and struggled to get an immediate response. Runners received the official email the day prior to the race. I guess late is better than never. I love this race, so I really hope that all the kinks are worked out for next year.

Due to construction, the regular route was altered, and a small section was cut out. To make up the difference, we re-ran the beginning section rather than a straight line finish, like other years. I was initially concerned that the course would be short, and according to my Garmin, it was. However, my Garmin tends to run short. My running buddy’s Strava was on target. Aside from the distance, it’s an easy course. There are a couple of turns at the start, but the long stretches are a straight line. It’s Kansas City, so there are definitely some inclines, but nothing too heartbreaking.

While I usually opt-out of a t-shirt to save a few bucks (and closet space), I loved the included soft, cotton long-sleeved shirt. The race directors also, smartly, sold additional swag online and at the packet pickup. So, instead of buying a candy bar impulse buy, I purchased a whiskey, er, drink glass for a few extra bucks. I like that the additional swag were available in person and not just online.

Thanks to jkelling, we made a plan to both PR this 5k. While he has been breaking records like a plates at a Greek wedding this year, I have cozied up to 6-year records as if they we going to be worth something at the Antique Roadshow. I hate that inaccurate heart rate data caused jkelling not to get his PR. But I would have hated it more to see him calling out for someone to pause his Strava before whisked away in an ambulance. We’ll figure out the inconsistencies so he can prove, once and for all, that he is indeed faster than me. However, he will have to beat a 35:10 5K PR time, but yes, this back of the packer was on fire! I guess all the eye-rolling running up asphalt hills in the summer paid off, because the Anique Roadshow called and said that my 6-years PRs are now worthless – 2025 is the year to beat. Quite honestly, setting new PRs in the 5k, 10k, half and marathon are all thanks to the summer training miles and jkelling. Yes, the summer training miles I tried (unsuccessfully) to stall, skip and avoid. Ladies, apparently not even a good hair flip will get you out of miles. I wanted this 5k to round out a year of PRs, and I super grateful that I pushed to get it. I was even happier to achieve it at a race I love. Yup, it was a jolly good ol’ time.

Okay, maybe not any swag, if you count the soft, long-sleeved t-shirt. Yet, with three other turkey trots within driving distance, you would think that this KC Classic sponsored by the KC Sports Commission would reward participants with a medal on a day that we tend to reward our bellies. I digress.

Thanksgiving 5k at Aspiria Campus hosted more than 3,000 runners and walkers on this cool, chilly morning. This was the final race in the KC Classics Challenge, so I was excited to attend. The fact that it was held at a on a modified course of one that I like was an added bonus. The race started similar to other races held at Aspiria, but then trailed into the closes street, allowing for only one lap rather than the traditional two laps held at this location. Without realizing it, I almost PR’d for my 5k.

With 3,000 participants there were fast runners, walk-runners, walkers, dinosaurs and turkeys. It’s a fun run and quite honestly, I always enjoy seeing family unite together for an activity, which why the lack of medal was disheartening. The race is on a closed course, with little police escorts needed. I get medals all year long, but that 5-year-old kid getting dragged out of bed for a cold race? He deserves the medal. I know grown men who like their medal bling.

Other than the medal, I liked the race. The dj was lively, doughnuts instead of bananas at the finish and easy parking. Yet, next year, I’ll probably skip this race in exchange for one close to me and with a medal.

Yes, I like my bling. (Photo of the KC Classics Challenge medal and the other 4 races involved. )

From what I hear, few people will tackle vacation, a full marathon, 5 half marathons, a handful of other races AND a 50k in the span of 9 weeks. These people are clearly not friends with jkelling, mastermind of miles and challenges. Yet, the overload of miles, travel and racing was a fitting lead-in to the Stuffed Turkey Endurance races, because they packed in ALL the goodies for an incredibly fun, supportive and scenic race. There was no better way to “end” the race season….unless of course you count the post 7-hour drive and half marathon the next day.

Jkelling and I decided on a cold, winter, snow-covered running day in January that a yearly 50k would be an appropriate goal. (Please note: 50k, not 50 miles!) As back of the packers, a lengthy time limit was crucial. Having experienced less than scenic views on our respective 50k the first time a round, we were intrigued by the multiple 10-mile loops and varying terrians. Stuffed Turkey delivered on all fronts, and more.

The starting line is centered at the Jester Park equasterian center, which allowed for indoors restrooms, warming station post-race and quick break stops between laps, if needed. The 50k is part of a bigger races with 100 milers starting at 6am and the 10-miler, 50k and 50-miler starting at 11am. The kind and responsive race director allowed us to start at 6am, since we had another race the next day (yes, madness!). The course itself is a mix of trail, heavy gravel, a small section of road and dirt path in the woods. If you start at 6am, be prepared to bring a light. We used our phones for the first few miles. After that, get ready for one of the most peaceful and gorgeous sunrises in the Midwest. Seeing the sun kiss the still waters as it peeked through the woods could be described as God says, “Yes, you can do this.” The big rocks on the gravel section and slippery hills could also be God saying, “I didn’t say it was going to be easy.”

Since the course was a 10-mile lap, there are always runners on the course. Whether they started at 11am or the 100-milers passing you by, the support and encouragement was impeccable. Hats off to the 100-miler who saw me detour toward the bench and yell “No! The course is on the right. One foot in front of the other” and grab my hand to keep going and not rest. I am sure he knew once I sat down, it would be a picnic stop – without the goodies.

The 10-mile loop turnaround is roughly at the 6-mile mark, which I personally really enjoyed. I like reaching the turnaround and knowing the return is a shorter distance. Once I crossed the finish line, the first loop, I realized how lucky we were to get such a primo parking spot. It made for the perfect pit stop. I am still learning how to properly “pit stop” for an ultra, so it was still a little longer than needed, probably.

I have completed more trail runs this year than before and have learned that medals are not always top priority. I happy to see that Stuffed Turkey DOES make it a priority. The golden medal with black turkey details was worthy of the race. The generic ribbon can be forgiven since the 100-milers got an awesome buckle. I appreciate the detail and distinction. They earned the belt buckle.

Now, I will discount the swag a bit. The registration gave an option for women sizes, and the long-sleeved shirt was unisex. I should probably just learn to pick a unisex size, but if the women option is available, I want it. Needless to say, the shirt is a bigger size than I hoped for, but it is nice and the course route on the back is a great feature.

The finish line food was a great assortment of chips, cookies, pizza, broth and other yummies. I even heard of an Oreo, Dorito burrito made of pizza, rather than a flour tortilla. Or it could have just been a madman’s invention. The food truck had some simple, but satisfying hot dogs, hamburgers and fries for sell. Either way, Stuffed Turkey gives no judgment, only support and encouragement. As I struggled through my 50k, the fast and determined 100-milers cheered me on like I was going win.

I don’t know when I will be back to Stuffed Turkey Endurance, but I will. The quick 3-hr drive makes it a doable weekend race and the neighboring Des Moines is a mere 20 minute with a variety of hotel (Qube was amazing!) and food options. Ultras and trails are a new challenge for me, so the support is important. Stuffed Turkey showed me that a 50k can be engaging, challenging and fun.

First things first, Good Life Halfsy is a perfectly fine race. The medal is simple, but vibrant. I absolutely loved the pink gorilla mile markers, which were noticeable absent at the finish line. The expo was decent. All-in-all, there is not inherently wrong or bad with the race, but it didn’t live up to the hype. Within 8 days, I did three half marathons (thank jkelling for that madness), all within 3-hour driving distance. If I only had to choose one, it would not be Good Life Halfsy. I’m a girl – I want the whole package, or as close as possible.
Good Life Halfsy was part of another back-to-back half marathon (review: Salina Crossroads) weekend (note to self: quit signing up for races in the dead winter when you are at home going stir crazy). We arrived in the nick of time to pick-up our personalized bibs and extra swag for signing up early. Bonus: I LOVE personalized bibs. Good Halfsy has an amazing marketing department and does a great job at the little details. Personally, I like getting my bib and bag at the start of an expo to later fill it with expo swag. There were a couple of running store vendors with merchandise and booths for other races. We took advantage of the big “Halfsy” marque letters for a selfie. Another bonus: pre-race t-shirt exchange. Good Life offered men and women size shirts. As any woman knows, the fashion industry lies to us – even in running. The women shirts ran small. The female volunteer immediately suggested an appropriate size and showed me the difference. I was glad to have that option rather than the traditional post-race exchange, which I almost never do.
At a pre-race dinner, my running partner and I dined with a runner and spent a good 30 minutes discussing the parking situation for this point-to-point race. If I hear “pre-register” again I will go crazy. But probably not as crazy as my running partner every time I scrolled the website page to reread the same information. We even checked our online registration to see if we had pre-registered six months prior. Nothing. It wasn’t until we looked at the upper right-hand corner of our bib envelope to read the 13-point Arial font size “Parking: Pre-Registered” to find out that we had indeed registered for the shuttle.
Once at the race site, the nine-degree real feel weather kept us inside the over-crowded gymnasium and hallways. We weaved our way outside to the freezing porta johns as I layered with another shirt. With only one distance, (thus ‘halfsy’), the 9,000 runners lined up, moving only as to not shiver from the cold. I was not successful in keeping warm and it showed in my time.
Good Life Halfsy is touted as a net downhill, and technically, it very well may be. However, that downhill only comes after 5.5 miles of climbs and descents. The fashion industry is already lying to this woman, I don’t need more lies from the Nebraska hills. Running is as much mental as it is physical, so the hyped-up net downhill neglected to warn runners that it only comes because what goes up must come down. I generally enjoy point-to-point, because they offer something different, but in this case, it was just okay. The last 4.5 miles we were on the local park trail, empty business park and rounded out in a residential area before crossing the bridge to the Pinnacle Arena parking lot finish line. Again, it’s a fine race, but it didn’t excite me. Within the past year, I’ve traveled to various mid-size and small-town races that really tried to highlight their respective cities on the course. My running partner and I even took pictures of places we wanted to dine post-race while on the course. This did not happen at Good Life. With all the support and fanfare Good Life Halfsy gets, I simply expected more.
I did really like the finish line. The DJ rocked Rocky’s theme song as we crossed the bridge, so we both appreciate the challenge to push it. The bridge crossing led into the finish line as we collected our gorgeous, heavy, colorful medals. The finisher line had an assortment of goodies, some in mislabeled boxes. (The Smart Pop boxes with filled with trail mix treats.)
I really do not mean to speak negatively of the Good Life, because it is a fine race. The swag is on point. Personalized bibs make you feel special as spectators call out your name. I love that the bibs also include the team’s name. Pre-race shirt exchange? Divine! Volunteers in pink gorilla suits at the mile markers? LOVED IT – and missed them at the finish. I didn’t take a picture on the course because my running partner and I expected to see them at the end.
I am happy I did the race. I checked the box and won’t discard it as a possibility in the future. With a generous 4-hour cutoff time, this a good race for anyone needing that extra time. If you are a back of the packer striving to improve, be careful not to get caught up in the walker pack. I absolutely love that it is walker-friendly, but as someone who can get caught up in fellow runner’s pace it was not helpful to me. There were sections that were probably slower than need be because I went with the flow of the people rather than my own pace. It’s not bad, but it’s also not all that good. It’s fine – just like the Good Life Halfsy.

Full disclosure, the Bass Pro Marathon was my first full marathon and will always carry a special place in my heart. I am happy to report that Bass Pro Half Marathon still occupies that special place. Before I profess my deep love, let’s talk logistics.

Bass Pro Marathon weekend includes a Boston-qualifier full marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k. With a starting line at the Bass Pro retail shop, runners have plenty of parking in the neighboring parking lots. In prior years, I parked right next to the finish line. This time around, we parked across the street from the start line and avoided runners and other traffic when we finished in record time. Pre-race, runners can opt for the indoor restrooms in the aquarium or the portajohns lined in the parking lot. However, there will be a line. These lines continued at the portajohns on the course. I hate stopping on the course, but in this case the first ‘line-free’ portajohn was at mile 8.

The DJ did an amazing job keeping the crowd pumped up. The music and announcements were clear and loud, but not annoying or overbearing. The starting corrals were spacious and easy to access. Cue the national anthem, official countdown and we were off.

The course is not flat, nor necessarily hilly, but rather a steady mix if ups and downs. The total elevation gain of 413 feet was equally spread out as runners tour different parts of the city. Some runners may like a truly flat course, but I appreciate the steady variations. The route give the right amount of direct path to establish a good pace but not so much to get bored on a straight line. The various turns were never sharp or too quick. The scenic view allows runners to venture into residential areas, where neighbors cheer from the comfort of their blankets and porches, as well as downtown where the night party animals awaken early to hand out candy, gummies and gel. If you so dare, you can even take a selfie with one of the raccoons.

My running partner and I had both partaken taken in the race before, in different years and different distances, so we were excited to run together. We were also excited for the plethora of official and unofficial aid stations. You can imagine our disappointment when the number was cut in half and not exactly what we remembered. The official aid stations were great and consistent. I’m not sure if it was the cold or something else, but we missed the ‘party’ stations.

Now for the non-tangibles. While the ‘party’ stations were missing, the support was not. It was cooler than previously years, but props to all the volunteers handing out support like candy on Halloween. You rock and it is super appreciated. But the biggest shout out goes to my running partner, my inspiration and source of hate for summer miles: jkelling. Thanks to his summer determination and support, I broke a 6-year old PR. I had given up on the the idea I would ever get a sub-3 hour half again. Yet, here I was remembing my training and racing through tunnels (yes, I am still the record holder) to get a PR at one of my favorite races. The crowds at the finish line yelling “beat him!” gave some incentive to race ahead, but supporters didn’t know that I wouldn’t even be there if not for jkelling.

Next year’s race will surely be a memorable one as runners celebrate 20 years of running. I have no promises to be on the course next year, but I do promise to drag jkelling out there again for a full marathon, which he will absolutely kill.