CCVI Trolley Run
Kansas City, MO
- 4 Miler, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The CCVI Trolley Run is the largest annual fundraiser for the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired, who provide specialized vision services for children ages birth-21. Trolley Run is one of Kansas City’s oldest and largest road race, and is a USATF-certified 4-mile race. The four-mile Trolley Run course winds … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Apr 26):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 74 | 60 | 76 | 68 | 66 |
| L (°F) | 58 | 54 | 54 | 48 | 36 |
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FAST AND FUN
This was my first time running this race and I was a little concerned about the logistics - which required a bus ride to the starting line. I need not … MORE
This was my first time running this race and I was a little concerned about the logistics – which required a bus ride to the starting line. I need not have worried. This was a very well run race (pun intended) and logistics were smooth. If you’re going for a personal best, this is the race to do it at. The route follows a gentle downhill slope nearly the whole way with just a few undulations to keep it interesting. This was a super fun race that I’m definitely adding to my calendar for next year.
No love from the crowd this year
This race used to have an insane amount of unofficial aid stations for such a short course. This year I saw zero. There were also far fewer spectators at the … MORE
This race used to have an insane amount of unofficial aid stations for such a short course. This year I saw zero. There were also far fewer spectators at the beginning in the neighborhoods before we crested that final hill for 3 miles of nice non-quad burning descent. I’m not going to describe the course in any meaningful way than my other reviews haven’t hit. The metal remains nicely done and the shirts are a soft cotton. I do miss all the people in the lawn chairs and all the tables with various treats on them. The organizers do a fine enough job with water at the halfway point, but I’ve had bourbon smoked bacon, breakfast burritos, smoked cheese, mini BLT, bloody mary shots, liqueur filled homemade chocolates, brownies and cookies, and of course the standard pickle juice (0% and otherwise) and Fireball. This was always the short race that ran like a party half marathon, and seems to have fallen quite a way from its former glory. That notwithstanding, this is a great race to get together with your friends and help a cause that matters while getting in your miles. There are plenty of places at the end of this point-to-point course (and beginning, if you’re up for a run back, and I can’t recommend Aubrey’s Bourbon and Wine, 50 feet from the start line, enough) to grab a drink or a bite with your friends or new friends and enjoy the post-miles energy.
Perfect downhill recovery run
After an underwhelming half (see OZ Garmin Half review) and a very rough post 17 miles (yes, I did nearly 31 miles the day prior to the race), I had … MORE
After an underwhelming half (see OZ Garmin Half review) and a very rough post 17 miles (yes, I did nearly 31 miles the day prior to the race), I had my doubts of even showing up. Boy, am I glad that I did show up.
The cool weather made the downhill race the perfect recovery run and kept my legs loose. Aubrey’s Bourbon and Wine opened pre-race, and they are some of the friendliest people around. The is definitely a hidden gem that needs discovering. Back to the race…
After some apparent confusion (the first bus got lost), the race started without a hitch. I was prepared to just walk this race, but with various bands on the course and a steady pace of runners, it was easy to fall in line and run the downhill course.
It’s been a few years since I did this course, so I forget how much I like the point to point course. It truly is a downhill course. There is one very small hill after the first turn, but it’s nothing to worry about. It’s literally over before you can start to hate life. Even though I was tired from the prior days miles, I was pleasantly surprised to be able to stay on track and get negative splits.
The finish line festivities include beer for adults and typical goodies for all the runners. With so many people it can get a bit chaotic, but it’s a good vibe for a fun Sunday run.
I felt redeemed after such a struggle from the prior day, and would have loved to stick around more. With a finish line on the Plaza, a lot of runners are still hyped up after the race (similar to as with the Plaza 10k). However, if you are looking for a post-race coffee or bite to eat, I recommend scouting out driving away. It appears that the only place open (aside from Starbucks) is one little cafe that gets overwhelmed at the drop of the hat. A group of us found room at the bar, but I had to leave before my food arrived due to a prior commitment.
The race itself is solid though. A great, fast course, a heavy medal, various finish line festivities, relatively on-track buses, and an overall good vibe. I look forward to doing this race again next year – with the tiredness of 31 miles on me.
Downhill but not too downhill
This race has a small uphill stretch at the beginning but is almost entirely downhill after that. We did have lousy weather this year so there was less crowd participation. … MORE
This race has a small uphill stretch at the beginning but is almost entirely downhill after that. We did have lousy weather this year so there was less crowd participation. This race historically has always had tons of people out there with tables set up for bacon, fireball, jalapeño poppers I saw once, high proof cinnamon something. Not the official race tables, which are at a couple locations, just random people along the route. I often joke that it’s the only race I’ve ever done where I gained weight on the race. That was scaled back significantly this year (but I love you bacon family!), but hopefully that was because of the long stretch of harsh weather we were dealing with.
The course takes you to a couple significant locations in KC as a point to point race and the morning shuttle from the Plaza to Waldo is efficient and well equipped by the organizers. Honestly this race hits well above it’s weight class as well, and production wise it beats a lot of the 10ks I’ve done. It’s a fast course without being so steeply downhill that your knees hurt, and both sides of the road are closed off so after the wave start there’s very little crowd and no exhaust to worry about, save a few stoplights where the KCPD has great control of the space.
I was injured and felt like crap but I still went out there to get some kind of performance because it’s such a fun race and the finish line at the Plaza rewards you with a number of tasty goodies and coffee.
The medal was heavy and nicely designed, and felt easily at home with my 10k medals. For an inexpensive race with a great cause attached they knock it out of the park every year. Absolutely will be lining up again next year.
It's mostly downhill.
Since it's mostly down hill, I run from the finish line up to the start line then run the race. if you don't want to run 8 miles, just park … MORE
Since it’s mostly down hill, I run from the finish line up to the start line then run the race. if you don’t want to run 8 miles, just park at the plaza and take their shuttle to the start. I’ve done that too and it’s easy to get on a bus and get dropped off in plenty of time.
And so it begins...
If you race Kansas City you are familiar with the Trolley Run. For newcomers to the scene and our visiting friends, this is a race that for many people marks … MORE
If you race Kansas City you are familiar with the Trolley Run. For newcomers to the scene and our visiting friends, this is a race that for many people marks the beginning of the season. In fact, even for those of us who may already have a dozen plus races under our belt by this time in the year, it’s still the start of something special. This was the second of the no-longer-around Sweet 16 series. Four legacy 4-mile races starting with a St. Pat’s run, going here and going on to 4 on the Fourth (Ward Parkway) and the KC Zoo Run. I do wish they’d bring that series back, but that’s another post. With a lot of St. P’s races going on, some people would rotate or just not go (it’s cold sometimes) so Trolley Run was the “real start” after the soft opening of the first race. For those just coming out of hibernation, this overwhelmingly downhill course offered a super motivating first run of the season. In fact, this year I beat my 5k average time by a few seconds and this is a 4M race. The crowd support along the way is constant, with no fewer than 5 houses I passed passing out goodies on the sidelines from PB&J triangles to bacon strips to pickle juice, gummy bears and M&Ms. Keep in mind this is only a 5k, so you may actually gain weight on the race. It’s great though, because nobody cares you’re only there for 5k they’re going to yell and scream like you just conquered heartbreak hill in Boston and are now pulling away from the pack. Did I mention I’m a back-of-the-packer? Yeah. Yeah I can only imagine what the fast people experience on this race. Fireworks and a drone flyover maybe? Mermaids singing? Just kidding. Well, mainly. The official support station is more than enough at just shy of 2 miles, but remember you’re about to be all downhill from here (just before) here. I was saving my bacon and M&Ms in my hand for a while later though because I wish I had something to chase it down, but that’s a me thing. The swag is premium and befitting of this legacy race. Do this race. It’ll help you wake up, thaw out and start your season or provide a guaranteed morale boost if you’ve already been in your season for a while, and I won’t miss this race at all.
Always a great race
I love this race, they do a great job of organizing it (even during a pandemic). mostly a downhill course, so it's easier for most runners. i can't think of … MORE
I love this race, they do a great job of organizing it (even during a pandemic). mostly a downhill course, so it’s easier for most runners. i can’t think of any glaring negatives.
Fast, Flat, and Fun
Amazingly well organized for such a large race. I love this area of Kansas City, and I love that this race raises money for the Children's Center for the Visually … MORE
Amazingly well organized for such a large race. I love this area of Kansas City, and I love that this race raises money for the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. It was a lot of fun running a 4-miler instead of a 5 or 10K. The post-race party was huge, with so many free goodies! Next year I will definitely take advantage of the shuttles that run from the parking areas at the finish to the starting area prior to the race. Don’t glaze over the fact that this course is not a loop or you will be walking/jogging another 4 miles back to your car if you parked near the starting line like I did. 🤦♀️
Love it
Easy down hill run with thousands of runners for a good cause. I've run this race many times, the weather is never the same. this is great for walkers and … MORE
Easy down hill run with thousands of runners for a good cause. I’ve run this race many times, the weather is never the same. this is great for walkers and runners