Unique and entertaining run, completely underground. The buses to the start line were great and so timely that our time outside in the cold was limited. 5K was one loop, … MORE
Unique and entertaining run, completely underground. The buses to the start line were great and so timely that our time outside in the cold was limited. 5K was one loop, and the 10K was the same loop twice. Good volunteer support and the medals were nice. The only disappointment was for doing the 5K+10K Challenge, all we got was a little connector piece to connect the two medals. Thought it should be a little more substantial, even a third medal would be awesome. Don’t think I’d do this run again because it kind of gets stuffy inside the cave, but it was fun to do at least once!
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Nice running in warm temps in winter!!
Unique and entertaining run, completely underground. The buses to the start line were great and so timely that our time outside in the cold was limited. 5K was one loop, … MORE
Unique and entertaining run, completely underground. The buses to the start line were great and so timely that our time outside in the cold was limited. 5K was one loop, and the 10K was the same loop twice. Good volunteer support and the medals were nice. The only disappointment was for doing the 5K+10K Challenge, all we got was a little connector piece to connect the two medals. Thought it should be a little more substantial, even a third medal would be awesome. Don’t think I’d do this run again because it kind of gets stuffy inside the cave, but it was fun to do at least once!
Unique race, no matter the weather
Looking for unique races, this is definitely that. The buses to the start line were great and very timely. The temperatures outside made me want to get back in the … MORE
Looking for unique races, this is definitely that. The buses to the start line were great and very timely. The temperatures outside made me want to get back in the caves as much as possible, nice warm 65-70 inside. %k was basically one loop, and 10K two loops. Great photos to be had all around with mascots and caves. The medals are nice, but kind of disappointed the only thing the combo runners get is a blue connector of medal, nothing special at all IMHO. Might run it again, but most likely a one and done for me.
Great cave run.
I've done the 5k a few times, but this is the first year I did the 5k followed by the 10k (2 more "laps") There are so many twists and … MORE
I’ve done the 5k a few times, but this is the first year I did the 5k followed by the 10k (2 more “laps”)
There are so many twists and turns in the course, and an out-and-back or two that it doesn’t have the incessant boring nature of multi-lap races, which normally I hate. I was on the injured list today so my performance was expectedly slow, but I was okay with that because I had to complete the 5k as part of a series and then since I was there, might as well do the 10k afterwards, right? Right. And now I have two medals that link together, which pleases the raccoon in me.
For those who have not been to these races, I’m sorry. They are a great opportunity to have a decent sized race and not have to care what the weather is. If anything you’ll find you likely overdressed for the caves and start peeling off layers. There were two turns where people seemed prone to do that, because every lap I witnessed it at that turn and saw other parts of the pack doing the same as we entered some of the see-through areas from one part of the course to another. Even the area near the entrances are not COLD, per se, but you will feel it cool off in those areas. Those I preferred.
One thing of note, the air in the back of the cave can be thinner, so while the altitude change is negligible (18-wheelers are able to drive through there, so nothing really hilly) as far as your legs are concerned, if you’re sensitive to oxygen level changes prepare to be affected. My pulse oximeter went from 100 at start to 93 on the third lap towards the back. If that doesn’t slow you down, more power to you, but I wasn’t going to drop lower than that.
Prior years it’s actually been a really fast course for me, and since nothing has changed about the course I suspect it still is. Part of that is the mental joy of being inside with a thousand or so of your buddies doing this thing we do for 5, 10 or 15k and not being even remotely concerned about frostbite or frozen lung, knowing that the spring series is just around the corner and all the great races that brings. Part of it is this is one of the few larger, longer races that happen in the late NOV-JAN time frame when everything seems to migrate towards 5k-Only Land (though it seemed better this past year).
I gave 4 shoes on the scenery. I actually think the former limestone quarry cave is attractive. Some people call it an unfinished parking garage. I think the “scenery” also includes for me the peaks you get of other parts of the pack that you see between pillars as everyone spreads out and the course loops and twists around inside, and when you’re recognizing people from different pace groups doing their thing and then all of a sudden you’re slapping high fives to each other again.
Special shout out to some water station volunteers who knew how to bring the full-throttle cheer-and-support routine into the mix as well. I wish I’d caught her name to let the RD know how great it was to see everybody treated like they’re carrying the Olympic torch into the stadium or something. How she did that for so long I’ve no clue, but she deserved recognition.
Great return to warmer temperature runs
My heart will always have a soft spot for this race because it was the first one my medical team let me do after my heart attack. The logistics of … MORE
My heart will always have a soft spot for this race because it was the first one my medical team let me do after my heart attack.
The logistics of this race are beautiful. Parking is a short distance away but busses are a plenty so the wait isn’t long. That works out well because you do NOT want to overdress for this race but it’s typically quite cold outside. The entire race is weaving around in a massive cave complex. Now personally I find the cave quite beautiful, but I can see how that may not appeal to everyone. The running course is wide, clearly marked and has only minor elevation changes, but there are turns of varying degrees and a switchback to keep you from getting bored. It’s so warm inside the caves that it feels like a spring run and you forget about the snow and ice which may be waiting for you upon exit. There’s a VIP room that I haven’t experienced with food and private bathrooms, but honestly I’ve never had much of a wait for the portapotties and with everyone so anxious to get out and race again the energy has always been great out in the crowd before the start. I race 12 months out of the year, but the Groundhog race seems to really be the turning point where the “real” race season starts again and due to the relative ease of the course, it would be a great race to ease back in if you’ve taken some time off for winter. I’ll be here every year for sure and while I’m a perpetual back-of-the-packer, I’m the guy in body armor…feel free to say hi when you pass me.
Groundhog Run
This was an awesome event. I’d never been to Subtropolis so when I heard there was a race there, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to visit. My first impression … MORE
This was an awesome event. I’d never been to Subtropolis so when I heard there was a race there, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to visit.
My first impression was at packet pick up. Everything was super organized and flowed smoothly. The shirt is probably the best I’ve gotten so far… I’ll definitely be wearing it.
I was nervous about parking, because a shuttle was needed. My nervousness was unfounded. There were plenty of buses and not really any wait.
I’ll be honest, the scenery is kinda bland… You’re in an underground warehouse facility. Still it was kind of interesting to see the space. And a perk for a January race… the temperature inside the caves was comfortably in the 60’s.
The course is very flat and paved which is nice and made the course easier to navigate.
The medal was beautiful, but also ginormous. I know there is a trend toward bigger, blingier medals, but I’m not as much into that. I prefer a nice, standard sized, medal… but maybe I’m in the minority.
To my mind, the best part of the race was the cheerleaders. This event benefits AbilityKC and the kids were awesome. They stayed to the very end making sure everyone was cheered and applauded… not just those in the front. It brought more than one smile to my face.