Frontier Freedom 5K & 10K
Fort Leavenworth, KS
- 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Frontier Freedom 5K & 10K welcomes the public to historic Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and raises funds for the Command and General Staff College Foundation and the Kansas City Friends of Fisher House. Funds raised support the education and welfare of U.S. and international students, staff, and faculty of the U.S. … MORE
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Unexpected PR
So this is the third year of the race and the first year of the 10k (Did they read my review from last year?). I hope this addition sticks around. … MORE
So this is the third year of the race and the first year of the 10k (Did they read my review from last year?). I hope this addition sticks around. When I signed up I thought it would be two laps of the 5k course, which I hate, but I would rather do a 10k than a 5k so I would have done it. Instead, I got the 5k course with two different out and backs added on and it was great. The addition of the little loop inside the old DB was great (especially since I used to work there) and while the out and back to the range could get a little boring, it was the only flat part of the course, so enjoy those two miles. My only gripe is that in doing the 10k, you do miss out on a small bit of the 5k course, so you get to go by the DEERS place but not FMSO. Your mileage may vary on how big of a detriment that is, but I liked being able to go by the front of Bldg 47 (FMSO) since I also worked there. For the 10k you turn off at the corner for the long out and back but come back a slightly modified way to bypass the Old DB on the return. The medal was wonderful and built off the theme of last year (though it was a touch smaller, it’s an appropriate size for a 10k or large for a 5k). The cotton shirt was nice and soft. The only possible gripe I have is I think the 5 and 10k had the same medal, but I didn’t get to actually look at the 5k so I’m not positive on that. It’s a nice medal, so that’s not a complete slam, but I am taking off a shoe for that and the lack of any portajohns on course. I know some people were thinking there’d be one at the turnaround at the range, but this is one of those races where I guess you just have to hold it. That’d be a real easy fix for them to get a full 5 shoe rating from me though. Next year folks. I say that because without fail I will be there next year. The race is blocked off for 3 hours (9-12) on RunSignup, though obviously nobody took that long. Since I got my wishlist granted from last year, I say how about you block off 4 hours so it’s back-of-the-pack friendly and add a half marathon, bring in a lot more people (and money) that way. Worth a shot.
Anyway, this is not an expensive race and the views are amazing, particularly along the high hills overlooking the river and throughout the historic parts of base. The motivation is high on this one, and despite the hills I managed to PR. If I can do it, you can, too. Hope to see you there next year. I’m the guy in body armor in the back. Say hi when you pass me.
Gorgeous views of a classic base
On the oldest continuously operating base west of the Mississippi, there's a lot of history, there's a lot of architecture, and there's a lot of hills. I worked on base … MORE
On the oldest continuously operating base west of the Mississippi, there’s a lot of history, there’s a lot of architecture, and there’s a lot of hills. I worked on base for some time, and this is the best part of the base, back up by the old DB at the top of the hill with views overlooking the river from a vastly elevated position. The run takes you by the stables, SAMS, CGSC (loosely), the old chapel and the historic homes along the edge of base. If you have only seen the likes of Hood and Bragg and the institutional buildings there, this will be quite a treat and you may forget you’re on a military base. The hills along the way are challenging without being arduous. There are some big ones there but they’re over soon, and anyone looking to do any kind of hill work in the area for the longer races with infamous hills like Garmin KC or Liberty half, here’s a great place to start. Honestly I only wish they had a 10k option as well. The shirts were nice, the finisher medals were nice, there wasn’t a lot of food at the end, just the typical Kirkland’s and Nature’s Own, some candy, etc. What goes up must come down, and the final stretch of maybe half a mile is downhill to the finish line (okay the last 20-30 feet are uphill). It is actually a fast course, which is another reason I wish there was a 10k, and absolutely a do again. I almost PR’ed despite stopping twice to adjust a messed-up insole in my shoe and honestly not trying all that hard because I was tired from the prior day itinerary of a morning 5k and an afternoon 10k (both also GREAT races!…thank you October!). This is a small race, and while I do love the intimacy they provide, I do hope this one gets big enough to remain a staple.