Run the B.E.A.R.D. (Building Endurance and Running Dreams) 5K/10K in honor of fellow runner, Scott Green, a.k.a the Bearded Runner. Scott was diagnosed in 2023 with Stage 4 Colon Cancer that has metastasized to the liver, abdominal wall, lungs, left hip and most recently, the skull and soft tissue around …
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Run the B.E.A.R.D. (Building Endurance and Running Dreams) 5K/10K in honor of fellow runner, Scott Green, a.k.a the Bearded Runner. Scott was diagnosed in 2023 with Stage 4 Colon Cancer that has metastasized to the liver, abdominal wall, lungs, left hip and most recently, the skull and soft tissue around the right eye. Scott loves the running community in Kansas City and has always done what he can to improve it, from volunteering at races to just being a friendly face at group runs and sharing the BeardedRunner discount code. While enduring his chemo and radiation treatments, Scott continued to stay active and on March 10, 2024, Scott accomplished his goal of 300 lifetime races at the inaugural B.E.A.R.D. 5K/10K.
B.E.A.R.D. 5K/10K is more than just a race — it’s a celebration of resilience and the power of community. Join as we honor Scott and celebrate the lives of all those affected by cancer. With its scenic 5K course and electrifying atmosphere, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience that combines passion, fitness, and memories that will stay with you long after the finish line.
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A distance cut short with hilly finish
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 … MORE
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.
Shadow of its former....
So this race is important to the community, and there's been some back-and-forth there on...somethings that I'm not going to get into here, but it's the race that commemorates the … MORE
So this race is important to the community, and there’s been some back-and-forth there on…somethings that I’m not going to get into here, but it’s the race that commemorates the life of a popular runner here who died from cancer. Irrespective of any personal connections, and just looking at the race itself, it’s still a far weaker showing than it used to be, from participants and organizers.
The swag is still the same as the other two years, except now the medals have the paint peeling, so had to hit that up with some Podge to strap that down. The shirts are the same as the prior two years. The course had been changed to an alternate route because of rain, but the new course was about 0.35 miles short, so several of us improvised with some additional out-and-backs on the course.
While they used to sell homemade plush animals (for the family) and we all wore beards, now it’s just a pretty mid race that wasn’t all that bothered to do more than show up. They did have great oranges at the end, though, and the arrows that populated the unmanned aid stations lit up and told you which way to go…so…something different.
This race is one on life support. I’d love to see it regain the glory it had two years ago, but I suspect it may be in or nearing its final year. If I hadn’t had the honor of running with two of my race buddies I’d probably have zoned out until it was finished, despite that pretty section of the park through which we ran. Will I see you at the finish line next year, though? Well, is there another race that day?
Lower turnout unfortunately
Turn around point wasn't marked so we just guessed. I went long at 6.69 miles. Big drop off from last year's turnout, which was depressing. Lots of different treats at … MORE
Turn around point wasn’t marked so we just guessed. I went long at 6.69 miles. Big drop off from last year’s turnout, which was depressing. Lots of different treats at the end though, and the stuffed bears were still there to buy to raise money. Medal looked like it was the same as last year, but I’ll have to pull out the old ones to confirm. Water and light snacks available at the aid stations and the volunteers were all super motivating. The course is a mixture of rolling hills and flatish park trails, but there are a couple of good sized hills in there to keep it interesting.
Great inaugural race
For anyone familiar with the Summer Sizzler, there's some course overlap here, but instead of out and back 2x the 10 is made up by a lollipop addition to the … MORE
For anyone familiar with the Summer Sizzler, there’s some course overlap here, but instead of out and back 2x the 10 is made up by a lollipop addition to the out and back of that race, heading down into the park and around the hills there.
First off, let me say it was an honor and a privilege to be able to race with Scott Green again. The man is a legend in the local running community who has given SO much.
The course design was great. It’s not an easy route, but it isn’t punishing, and you’ll feel accomplished when you’re done. Just don’t expect a PR and save some in the tank for that final push up the hill to the finish line. Nice classy (and classic) design to the medal. The pre and post race festivities were great, with Shatto milk making an appearance and a boatload of various homemade muffins and hot chocolate available post race. It is a great time of year for the race, because while it may be a little chilly when you’re warming up, the sun burned the cold off fast and made it a nice high-50s for the actual race. There’s not a lot of big-name long races yet at this point in the year. Liberty is usually what people consider the first major half of the year, and while this is obviously shorter, it looks like one of those races you can look forward to with the same gusto. Maybe one day they’ll add a half.
Full disclosure, my gps came up a little short at 5.94 miles, and while I know that’s not always accurate due to sampling error, I am pretty sure the course was in fact a little short based on my finishing time and performance on the course. I made great time the first 5k going off splits on my strava app, which felt in line with my exertion, but the second 5k I didn’t pick up the pace for, which I would have had to have done to finish at the final time I got, leading me to believe the course was a tad short. No a deal breaker, but something to be aware of. Hopefully if it’s true they’ll fix that for next year, when I fully intend to race it again.