Overall Rating
Overall Rating (13 Reviews)
4.1
(13 Ratings)  (13 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
4
SCENERY
3.5
PRODUCTION
3.9
SWAG
3.5
The Grandfather of all Kansas City Road Races is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this June! We are thrilled to invite you to join us for this historic occasion, participating in our featured Half Marathon, 10K or 5K. We are honored that over the past 50 years, we have had thousands … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jun 03):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  87  84  84  93  86
L (°F)  68  55  57  73  65
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Recent reviews

    cherylmc411 REPEAT RUNNER '23

    This was my third time at this event. 5K, then 10K, and now half marathon. It was advertised this would be a big event... with music spanning the 50 years … MORE

    This was my third time at this event. 5K, then 10K, and now half marathon. It was advertised this would be a big event… with music spanning the 50 years since the run started, and lots of crowd and neighborhood support. That DID NOT happen. There was minimal support by anyone outside of the volunteers. Water stations were plentiful, but one of the stations in the middle was already putting their tables away when I came through… and there were still lots of people behind me. The hills, heat, and humidity really got to me this year. The medal and the commemorative jacket were nice, but I was definitely disappointed in the lack of neighborhood support and the snacks post-race. Don’t know that I will do this run anymore.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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    pablopelos REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Course is fairly hilly, nothing that will decimate you, but paired with the heat that was in 2023, made the course very difficult for me. Last year i managed a … MORE

    Course is fairly hilly, nothing that will decimate you, but paired with the heat that was in 2023, made the course very difficult for me. Last year i managed a 2:07, this year post-achilles tear surgery i was lucky to get a 3:25 (earlier this year i have been back to 2:45ish times). Not enough crowd support along route, and just too hot.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    mgavinellison1 FIRST-TIMER '23

    As one of the music capitals, I expected more on the course. With it being the 50th Anniversary, I expected more of a production. The crowd support was boring and … MORE

    As one of the music capitals, I expected more on the course. With it being the 50th Anniversary, I expected more of a production. The crowd support was boring and it rarely music or photographers on the course.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    princebyiza1 FIRST-TIMER '22

    That I’m very competitive and I don’t give that easy. I have only been running for 2 years but that doesn’t mean anything because I have worked hard. MORE

    That I’m very competitive and I don’t give that easy. I have only been running for 2 years but that doesn’t mean anything because I have worked hard.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    My Report
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    2
    My Media

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    pablopelos FIRST-TIMER '22

    I don't think the hills were all that hard. It was hot and a little humid. Good water support on course and a very nice route. Much prefer running along … MORE

    I don’t think the hills were all that hard. It was hot and a little humid. Good water support on course and a very nice route. Much prefer running along the waterfront.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    Profile photo of Jason Gregg
    jgregg42 REPEAT RUNNER '22

    I have not run HH for a few years, so glad I came back. the new course is still very hilly but I love the change of scenery. Great run … MORE

    I have not run HH for a few years, so glad I came back. the new course is still very hilly but I love the change of scenery. Great run from packet pick up to the finish line.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    shullrd FIRST-TIMER '22

    Hospital Hill gets a bad rap… just do it! The production is great, the swag is really nice, the course goes through several iconic area of Kansas City, and the … MORE

    Hospital Hill gets a bad rap… just do it! The production is great, the swag is really nice, the course goes through several iconic area of Kansas City, and the race support was amazing.

    That being said there are a couple of big hills and it got hot towards the end with not much shade. So pace yourself and conserve your energy for it.

    I was nervous about this race based on what I’d heard, but I’m glad I did it.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    grimeslaw REPEAT RUNNER '21

    This was the 1st live race in KC since Covid and the organizers did a nice job running the race. Packet pickup was outside and was as fast and as … MORE

    This was the 1st live race in KC since Covid and the organizers did a nice job running the race. Packet pickup was outside and was as fast and as easy as any I have done anywhere else. I wish the race started earlier in the morning because June in KC is typically hot and humid-and this was no exception. The water/Gatorade stations were handled well. I thought they had 1 Gu station in past years; but there was nothing this year. They changed to course to eliminate the last nasty hill right before the finish, and I’m not sure if that improved the race. There was a very long uphill run for about 1 1/2 miles right near the end that was less than pleasant. Overall, they did a nice job and it’s a good half marathon if you’re looking for hills and heat.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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    swiowafan REPEAT RUNNER '19

    I enjoyed this race. 2nd mile pretty difficult. But last mile plus all downhill which I loved. I loved having the hot dogs and they were delicious. Definitely low attendance … MORE

    I enjoyed this race. 2nd mile pretty difficult. But last mile plus all downhill which I loved. I loved having the hot dogs and they were delicious. Definitely low attendance compared to past years. I did get a 5k course PR.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    Profile photo of Jason Gregg
    jgregg42 REPEAT RUNNER '18

    It's just not one hill. it's many hills. on a humid day this course will eat you alive. it's a good run overall. there is a lot of great swag … MORE

    It’s just not one hill. it’s many hills. on a humid day this course will eat you alive. it’s a good run overall. there is a lot of great swag but you will work for it 🙂

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    Profile photo of Margaret Chamas
    thegreatmdunn REPEAT RUNNER '17

    This was my second time running the Hospital Hill half. The race is iconic in the area and draws quite the crowd, both of runners and supporters. The course is … MORE

    This was my second time running the Hospital Hill half. The race is iconic in the area and draws quite the crowd, both of runners and supporters.

    The course is TOUGH! There are hills upon hills upon hills – the namesake hill is overall probably the biggest and within the first ~5k; what I feel is the steepest hill is just over 0.5 mi from the finish (after that hill, it’s literally downhill to the end – super fast!). The course is well-supported and well-marked; it’s city streets so the road condition could be better in spots. There are a lot of intersections, and I’ve seen some cars blow past the course marshalls. The scenery (to me) is meh – I’m not a fan of the urban landscape – but it does offer a nice tour of some of KC downtown.

    I’m not a fan of hot weather, so a race in the beginning of June means it’s likely to be warm and humid but I haven’t yet been able to heat-train adequately. This was definitely the case in 2017; I overheated and my pace suffered a lot, despite the water stations and carrying my own electrolytes.

    2017’s swag was a mixed bag. The PJ pants were a neat idea in that they’re “different,” but getting fuzzy PJ pants in June in Missouri is silly – can’t wear them for another 6 months! I had the same comment about 2016’s half-zip. They also gave out hats at the end, which I did like quite a bit.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    2
    SWAG
    3

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    Donnie FIRST-TIMER '17

    I have heard about this run for years. On my list of must runs Great pre race communication and updates I ran the re-run challenge, the 5k Friday night and … MORE

    I have heard about this run for years.
    On my list of must runs
    Great pre race communication and updates
    I ran the re-run challenge, the 5k Friday night and half Saturday morning
    The expo was good, not large but seemed to have good vendor support
    Expo swag was pj bottoms for all and a beach towel for half runners
    No shirt which I would prefer over pj bottoms
    Race day. We stayed at a hotel by the event so parking was not an issue for us
    We walked to the start.
    The course was challenging (at least to me) full of hills. See garmin screen shot
    Great on course support with multiple water/Gatorade stations and one energy gel stop. Some spectator on course support
    Finish line was great. Lots of post race snacks for runners o lay and also additional snacks outside the chute for anyone.
    Finisher medals were large and nice.
    Nice post race Festival
    A great run, not easy but I like a challenge

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4
    My Media

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    Donnie FIRST-TIMER '17

    First time to run Hospital Hill. This was a destination run for me Drove about 10 hours and stayed for both runs. Stayed at the Sheraton which was connected to … MORE

    First time to run Hospital Hill.
    This was a destination run for me
    Drove about 10 hours and stayed for both runs.
    Stayed at the Sheraton which was connected to the hall for the expo and also connected via a walkway to the Halmark center where the start/finish/festival were located.
    Great run communication. Lots of emails and updates on Facebook
    The expo was decent
    Packet pickup easy. They gave you pajama pants and no shirt. That is cool but I like the shirts.
    Race evening (7:00 pm start) well organized
    Start and finish in the same spot.
    Course was a bit challenging for us flat landers but I enjoy a challenge not very scenic to me but a good course.
    One water stop halfway. Not much local spectator crowd great police support
    Post race finisher medals were given. Nice medal. Snacks provided ( ice cream sandwiches, chips, crackers, bananas, water, and magnets) as you left the chute. Beer was also available
    Great run, great location, a bit challenging but fun

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3
    My Media

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