KU Vet’s Day 5K
Lawrence, KS
- 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The annual KU Vets Day 5K, hosted by the KU Student Veterans of America and the Veterans Alumni Network, honors our past/present veterans and raises awareness of the roles veterans play in our university and community. The 5K usually begins and ends at Memorial Stadium, traveling through the KU campus … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Nov 09):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 39 | 64 | 59 | 73 | 68 |
| L (°F) | 20 | 46 | 34 | 54 | 47 |
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A-Maz-Ing
Parking was easy but once I was parked, knowing where to go was confusing as there were no signs of a race where parking was. Once I went in a … MORE
Parking was easy but once I was parked, knowing where to go was confusing as there were no signs of a race where parking was. Once I went in a building where you get your packet (I got mine two days before the race) i could see the start line and the booths and so on.
The pre-race activities were amazing with the national anthem and the playing of taps.
The course had some very steep hills which made for a challenge I appreciated and went through the beautiful campus.
The race shirt was a very comfy t-shirt with a good design and the medal is of high quality and very cool (the cool part is a little biased as I am a big fan of all things KU. And I don’t live in Lawrence).
There were photographers there although I had only one of me and not even crossing the finish line.
I managed to have a good performance and took 1st place in my division. The prize was a pick your prize from a table of outstanding items. Looking forward to doing it again. Hopefully it is a little warmer because 2025 race day was a cold one.
Could have been a 5-shoe 5k
Not to be confused with a 5-Shoe half, which comes with higher expectations. Different course than last year. Good and bad there, because I wanted a redemption run to make … MORE
Not to be confused with a 5-Shoe half, which comes with higher expectations. Different course than last year. Good and bad there, because I wanted a redemption run to make up for my low performance last year as a result of being on the injured list. Reverse first half of figure 8 shaped track. Starting with a fast run downhill then a big uphill, a couple small hills along the course but nothing bad. Overall a fast course. Moved the start this year to the student center or alumni center or something instead of the stadium parking lot, which made for a much nicer pre-race wait in the cold. Absolute do-again. The course was great. Moving to the inside for the starting area was great. Marine Corps Birthday Cake was great. While I don’t drink beer, there was supposed to be a beer tent (signs on the race even said so) yet apparently there wasn’t, or nobody knew where it was. Also apparently the shirts were advertised as blue to a great many people but we got white instead. Production point deducted there either way.
The medal was a nice cutout, though I did prefer the prior year’s spinner design which incorporated the Vets Day component of the race as well, as did several of the repeat runners with whom I spoke. No crowd support on this one this year, which was disappointing because last year there were quite a few people on the course cheering, particularly at the top of the big hill where the back and forth occurs. All the same, I’ll be certain to be there next year to see which version we race.
GREAT surprise hill course
I was on the injured list today because an old knee injury was acting up. Figured even if I hopped across the finish line, great cause, new race (for me) … MORE
I was on the injured list today because an old knee injury was acting up. Figured even if I hopped across the finish line, great cause, new race (for me) and I was going with a buddy so I was going regardless. SO glad I did. This was one of the best surprise 5K courses I’ve seen in a while. I don’t get excited much about 5Ks, but I am now. Long slow hill up, right from the start, make it to the top of campus and take a quick little sidetrip down a pretty good sized hill just to come back up a steeper one (and thankfully shorter) than the first. It’s a pretty campus, and this course really takes advantage of the terrain. I saw several side streets I’d love to do an out and back on if they have a 10k up there. I will be looking now for sure.
Wasn’t a lot of people out cheering us on, but it was cold and bitterly windy and college students getting up early on a Sunday…well…
There were a lot of students racing with us and the Navy/Marine ROTC was out calling cadence and showcasing their guidon. The cinnamon rolls at the end were excellent and the coffee was welcome (thanks for the decaf!) and we got a KU-themed oversized washcloth in addition to our cotton tshirts. As my third race of the weekend I wish I’d had more to really give it my all, but even if you can’t muster that it’s a great course and a great race, and I hope to see you out there next year.
Swag was a really nice spinner medal with the KU mascot on one side and the Korean Peninsula on the other. It’s a bright medal with a loud ribbon and I want more of them.