Come run or walk in the annual Run Liberty Half Marathon, 10K or 5K! All races will enjoy a scenic race course starting and ending at William Jewell College and going through downtown Liberty. Half marathon participants travel through Jewell’s beautiful campus, historic downtown Liberty, beautiful neighborhoods, parks, and the …
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Come run or walk in the annual Run Liberty Half Marathon, 10K or 5K! All races will enjoy a scenic race course starting and ending at William Jewell College and going through downtown Liberty. Half marathon participants travel through Jewell’s beautiful campus, historic downtown Liberty, beautiful neighborhoods, parks, and the Liberty Hospital campus.
Plus, load up with the following swag: stunning larger than life finisher medals, personalized bibs, free race photos, very soft uni-sex long sleeve shirt for half marathoners and very soft uni-sex short sleeve shirt for 5K, craft beer, chip timing and discounts/giveaways from our sponsors!
Since 2017, proceeds from the event have provided more than $600,000 to assist medically under-insured and under-served patients, support community health education and programs, provide valuable resources to hospital employees and patients and offer pathways to education for future and current nurses in the Northland area.
The Liberty Half Marathon is the first race of the Heartland 39.3 Series! The other races include the Rock the Parkway Half Marathon and the Garmin Olathe Marathon in the Land of Oz in April. Three great races in three distinct environments, all within the Kansas City metropolitan area!
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The hills that lead to victory
If you have read any of my other reviews, you may notice a trend: hills are NOT my best friends. We are frenemies, at best. I will roll my eyes … MORE
If you have read any of my other reviews, you may notice a trend: hills are NOT my best friends. We are frenemies, at best. I will roll my eyes and hate life on 95% of training hills. Eh, who am I kidding 100% of training hills (even if I unintentionally planned the route). Well, the joke is on me. Thanks to all those miles, and more importantly jkelling’s motivation, I shaved 10 minutes off my prior course time AND two minute off my course record, setting a new course PR. Was it a new half PR? Not by a long shot. But Liberty is one of those races that you CELEBRATE a finish! Because, why the hill not?
For the 10th anniversary, a 10k joined the 5k and half marathon routes. I doubt I will ever give up the half for the 5k or 10k, but I would like to do those courses. They all start with the same downhill from the college, and turn into the residential area, but after that I couldn’t give much details on the 5k and 10k course. Mile 4 on the half hits runners with one of the first long hills. There are hills in the first mile or so, but mile 4 shows you why you came to party. Miles 12 helps you celebrate the party as the responsible collegiate frat guys offer up adult beverages. Yes, it is a well-deserved treat and kick to the finish.
After weeks of playing touch and go with tight calve muscles and hamstrings, I wanted to do well at Liberty. There was no way I wanted to limp along the way, as I did at a few recent races. I found that the key was remember the interval training, keep moving and to never let my running partner down. He was absolutely KILLED the course, shedding 30 minutes from his course time. I couldn’t have been prouder of him. As back of the packers, training miles are not a quick ‘4 miles in 30 minutes before work’. Our hard work paid off and it felt good! Truly, everyone should be so lucky to have a running partner that motivates, inspires and pushes them.
When it comes to swag, Liberty is on point! The long-sleeve tri-blend shirt is cozy and the drawstring bag comes in handy for post-race clothes, but the real coveted item are the Liberty gloves! Yes, they may be the ‘magic’ stretch unisex gloves, but they are the perfect weight, warmth, and have touchscreen tips that actually work. Plus, I love getting extra swag at races.
I have to give a huge shoutout to the Smart Pacers team. My goal is always finish. I hesitate to set time goals, because I don’t want to be selfish. I am grateful to be on the course – PERIOD. Well, at mile 8 or so, I told the 3:15 pacer that I wanted to beat my 3:18 times from 2018. She passed me, but told the 3:20 pacer, who was a bit fast. Well, he got back on track and pushed me to finish on time. Whenever he saw me slow down, he would call out my name and yell that he was catching up to me. With four miles left, he quickly did the math and told me what pace I had to maintain to meet my course. I did – thanks to the Smart Pacer team and jkelling’s patience with me on training miles.
Liberty 2026 may be over, but I’m already waiting for the early bird registration to open. Sure, I’ll hate the hills (again), but I’ll finish and be grateful for it.
Worth Every Hill!
Highly recommend! +Race was very well organized (communication, expo, check in, shuttle service) +Course is difficult (the hills NEVER stop), but the scenery is beautiful, course is well marked. +The … MORE
Highly recommend!
+Race was very well organized (communication, expo, check in, shuttle service)
+Course is difficult (the hills NEVER stop), but the scenery is beautiful, course is well marked.
+The medal is insane (in a great way)!
+The post race festivities were solid (cool photo booth, good snacks, etc…)
-Crowd support was minimal to sparse at times (it was cold though)
-Could use more hydration stations in the middle part of the race.
+Volunteers were great, very friendly and knowledgable.
Again I highly recommend especially if you need some hill challenge or training. Very well done, Run Liberty!!
Tenth Anniversary
For the tenth Anniversary of one of the most iconic "smaller" races in the state, Run Liberty added a 10k this year. Not just two laps of the 5k, I'd … MORE
For the tenth Anniversary of one of the most iconic “smaller” races in the state, Run Liberty added a 10k this year. Not just two laps of the 5k, I’d love to run the course sometime, but I accept I’d have to do it on my own because the half course is too enticing to pass up. For a race with the slogan “Why the Hill Not?” don’t expect what most people would call “fast and flat” out here, but the energy is so high that I came within seconds of my PR, as did four others in my group, and two other runners set a PR whom I’ve only casually ran with before. The highlight for me was seeing my running partner hit the track, the final part of the course, and speed up, and I knew with that much fire in her step that there was at least a course record incoming. ccruiz03 you are an inspiration, and I’m so glad you got your record.
I was bummed to see the air guitar guy at the first aid station was without music this year, as I can hear him when I’m cresting the hill before, and it has always been a motivator to climb strong and descend hard, but despite having no music, he was still out there air-guitaring like his life depended on it. Glad to see you still there buddy. Hope the neighbors let you jam out next year. Winding through downtown historic Liberty gives you an option to pick out where you’re going to grab lunch afterwards, and there are plenty of people out to cheer you on. The high school cheer team was out, and they brought the fire, but so did all the random people shopping or walking down the sidewalk who yelled, encouraged and slapped high fives as I passed. This is a town that likes their race and respects runners, and it shows, every year. A little before halfway through you run the hospital grounds followed by a flag-lined street. This of course comes after a long hill, because everything here comes after a long hill, but while the ascent was wearing on me, the decent along the highway with the hospital in sight gave some motivation to dig deep. This is where a buddy caught up to me whom I spent the rest of the race chasing, and also unfortunately where my heart monitor died. As a pretty major heart attack survivor, I do have to watch that I don’t go too high for too long, so it sucked having to dial it back, but you know who you are, and if you’re reading this, you’re not going to pass me as easily next year. You still will, because you’re insanely fast, but I’ll make you work harder for it.
The flat parts of this course are measured in tens of meters, but some are easier rollers than the big ones, and the biggest comes around mile 9.5 when the quad burner looms before you just past the railroad tracks. There’s a sharp initial climb, but it still doesn’t stop so much as continue upwards around the corner at a lower slope. Save something in the tank for that. Running through Frat Row in the last two miles, some additional motivation was present at the “adult aid station” there. Thanks guys. That 34lbs I was carrying had started to get heavy. From there it’s a downhill exit and back onto “main campus” to finish on the track after a 3/4 loop around. The post race field is great, with free massages, cookies, OJ, bagel bites and donut holes, and I think I saw one or two more things available there. The medals, in traditional Liberty fashion, are huge and well designed, and the shirts (normal and tenth anniversary special edition) are always top notch.
This is one of the races we’ve talked about for months. We’ve trained for months, and for months we’ve talked about what we were doing for the after party. The energy is palpable, and I’m ready to sign up for 2027.
Liberty brought out all the hills!
I did the 10th anniversary of the half. Everything was just right for a smaller local race. Expo was efficient, nice long sleeve shirt and gloves. I had no problem … MORE
I did the 10th anniversary of the half. Everything was just right for a smaller local race. Expo was efficient, nice long sleeve shirt and gloves. I had no problem parking at the race, but they also offered busing from a nearby church. Started on time, well marked, lots of pacers and aid stations, large medal. Liberty featured alllll their hills for this race so you’ll get to see them all. 🙂
Tough but fun
This is my 3rd year doing this run. I did really struggle this year with the heat. However, this race is very well produced and fun! I will keep coming … MORE
This is my 3rd year doing this run. I did really struggle this year with the heat. However, this race is very well produced and fun! I will keep coming back.
Why The Hill Not?
That's the slogan of this race, so don't expect a flat loop. More on that later. Liberty always brings it. I'm estimating around 4k runners but feels like a bigger … MORE
That’s the slogan of this race, so don’t expect a flat loop. More on that later. Liberty always brings it. I’m estimating around 4k runners but feels like a bigger race. The community gets behind this race, with people out along the course providing music in the neighborhoods and aid station volunteers cheering and encouraging everybody coming through like they are the sole person on the course. The bibs have first names on them and not going to lie, when you hear a bunch of strangers calling your name and cheering you on…you up the pace a little bit. I was pacing a good friend on this course so no PR to be had. It’s a hilly course, to be sure, but despite that I’m within reach of a PR here when I’m going all out just because the support amps you up so much here. Aid stations are mainly water and gatorade, but on the other side of the gauntlet they start carrying GU alternative. Running through the hospital grounds is motivating but save some for mile 9 (or thereabouts) when the most formidible hill on the course tests how much you have left. Admittedly the first couple miles past the hospital are bleak as you go through a corporate complex with little to look at and no crowd support, but hold on, because it’ll be back in force for the last couple miles as you work your way back to he university. This race unofficially marks the start of the season for a lot of people in the are, even those of us who have already logged dozens of races by this point, and it really does change the energy. Great swag and huge medal every year. This is one of those races you sign up for the first day it copens up.
Well run
I had to drop from the half to the 5k because of an injury. They were able to accommodate my request easily. The nice thing was that the 5k started … MORE
I had to drop from the half to the 5k because of an injury. They were able to accommodate my request easily. The nice thing was that the 5k started well behind the half marathon start time which gave runners a huge buffer zone. I ran the half last year and it was hilly, the 5k was no different. if you like hilly run this race
First Timer
Packet pick up was run smoothly. The team was vey friendly. I highly recommend taking the shuttle to the start. not much of a wait time. the course was great, … MORE
Packet pick up was run smoothly. The team was vey friendly. I highly recommend taking the shuttle to the start. not much of a wait time. the course was great, how ever very hilly. I really don’t remember running on a flat surface much. only real complaint was that our pacer started off super fast. instead of slowing for the hills she ran them pretty quickly. but overall a great race.
Lives up to the hype and then some
I've done the Jewell 5k (the 5k version of this event) and loved the pre-race set-up in the Mabee Center. Great stands and vendors and the coffee the car wash … MORE
I’ve done the Jewell 5k (the 5k version of this event) and loved the pre-race set-up in the Mabee Center. Great stands and vendors and the coffee the car wash brought was actually really good, and much needed on such a cold windy day. More on that wind later.
Check in was smooth the day before. I usually do race day pickup but I wanted to check out the expo. Very glad I did, as I found a couple races I hadn’t heard about before that look promising. For someone who did nearly 70 races last year, that says a lot. The medal is huge, as it is known for, and very stylishly designed. The long sleeve tshirt was very soft and comfortable.
The course is a loop, yet somehow I spent 12 miles going into the wind. Not sure how that happened. Pretty sure 12 miles of it was uphill, too. I may or may not have also been chased by ninjas on dragons, right grandpa? Okay the last part I’m making up but the first two points I mean. It was SUCH a feeling of accomplishment finishing this monster (I mean that lovingly), though thankfully the largest of the hills was at the start so you can get it over with. At one point the course winds through the hospital grounds, where flags adorn the course. It was a very moving experience, especially for someone who’s spent as much time in hospitals as I have. The final stretch of the course after you roll back onto campus is up by frat row, and let me say they do know how to come out and motivate there. Along the way the aid stations were all well-staffed with SUPER motivated volunteers. As a back of the packer with 30lbs on his back, a lot of races are just phoning it in by the time I make it through, but every aid station from the first one with drummer and air guitarist to the last unofficial one from the Greek guys, everybody felt like I was on the final stretch at Boston. Seriously, if you ever need motivation to keep going on a race, this is the one for you. Pretty decent crowd support considering it was cold and windy, and many houses along the way had stereos set up to provide support music. The finish line is on the race track around the field in the college stadium, which you enter and do 3/4ths a lap before coasting to your medal and chocolate milk.
This race is also part of a couple of different series challenges, including the Heartland 39.3 and the Hometown Half challenge (different than the Hometown Half series by Bodies Race Company).
This was my fourth long race of the calendar year and by far the hardest on my body, to include the notoriously rough 10-mile trail race I did almost exactly a month earlier. With that constant headwind it may have actually been the hardest half I’ve done, and I’ve never been so happy to drop my body armor after a race as I was on that one.
The organizers are peerless in their communication and interaction, and it is always a joy at other races when I see their tent up so I can drum up some strangers to go sign up for the biggest half in the Northland, and truly one of the best races in the KC area.
The only complaint I have is that I can’t sign up for next year’s race yet.
Hilly but fun
-this is a very hilly course. The flattest part is the 300 meter finish on the track, otherwise you are going up or down a hill. -very well organized -amazing … MORE
-this is a very hilly course. The flattest part is the 300 meter finish on the track, otherwise you are going up or down a hill.
-very well organized
-amazing pacing team
-huge finisher medal
-highly recommend, will most likely run again
Great energy at this one
Notes are missing and memory is gone. To be fair, I'd just gotten out of the hospital just before this one. It was hilly and it was tiring, but it … MORE
Notes are missing and memory is gone. To be fair, I’d just gotten out of the hospital just before this one. It was hilly and it was tiring, but it was amazing, and I knew I had to come back for the half, which I am in 2024.
Why The Hill Not?
I ran this race on March 26, 2022. The beautiful, ENORMOUS medal we received for crossing the finish line made signing up for the Liberty Hospital Half Marathon/Jewell 5K worth … MORE
I ran this race on March 26, 2022. The beautiful, ENORMOUS medal we received for crossing the finish line made signing up for the Liberty Hospital Half Marathon/Jewell 5K worth it! Without a doubt, this was the largest medal I’ve ever gotten from any race, and by far one of the most gorgeous. Also, this race boasted some of the most amazing volunteers — I couldn’t stop laughing at the hilarious signs they made that kept us smiling at every aid station!
Race day started out with an outside temperature of a balmy 32° F, and by the end, it was perfect race weather in the high 40’s. This is pretty typical for Missouri during the spring, and having been living in the Midwest for at least the last 10 years, this wasn’t unexpected for me. If you live in a climate that is typically warmer all year round, consider bringing some layers to the start/finish line that you don’t mind shedding during the race.
In looking at some of the reviews of this race online and on social media, and some of the information on the race website, I went into this knowing this wouldn’t be a PR due to the notorious rolling hills this race is very well known for. It was by far the most challenging course I’ve ever run, which made finishing it all that much more rewarding.
The race starts and finishes near the football field at William Jewell College and takes you down a scenic route through downtown Liberty, and some residential streets. I should have known what was coming when I learned the official race hashtag is #whythehillnot. The entire course was RELENTLESS. HILLS. ALL. THIRTEEN. MILES.
For anyone considering running this race, it was extremely well organized, from packet pick-up at the Expo, to all of the logistics, and the atmosphere was super fun. The entire race was so professionally coordinated, I would have never believed this was only its 5th year. AND DID I MENTION THE MEDALS!? Please run this race if for no other reason than to take home one of the legendary dinner plate-sized medals.
Updated route made it even better !
It was a success! Perfect Weather, hills, scenery changes, entertainment, hills, GREAT friends, and did I mention Hills? This early in the year it's hard to know what kind of … MORE
It was a success!
Perfect Weather, hills, scenery changes, entertainment, hills, GREAT friends, and did I mention Hills?
This early in the year it’s hard to know what kind of weather you will get. I have ran it in shorts and a tank top as well as freezing temps. This year was perfect weather and there were a few age group state records were set!
The route changes moved the majority of the hills to the front half for when us runners have more energy to conquer them and enjoy the rest of the course. Loved the scenery!
From the Historic William Jewell College, Liberty Square, picturesque neighborhoods, around the Liberty hospital grounds and country roads… it was all GREAT!
For entertainment there was a live singing of the National Anthem, the upbeat start/finish line of KC Running Co, Air Guitar (neighborhood competition), Cheerleaders, a nice drum beat, Music (is a few locations), Flash Dash crew, Team RWB crew and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity out cheering on the runners!
With the route changes, the few challenging hills, the entertainment, the community and all the friendly runners… it was a perfect run 🙂
Check out my race report link for several pictures
a Midwest must for 13.1 fanatics
a race with tremendous organization, makes everything easy and stress-free for runners. a hilly and challenging course, but a challenge you’ll love (remember as many downhills as uphills ;)) MORE
a race with tremendous organization, makes everything easy and stress-free for runners. a hilly and challenging course, but a challenge you’ll love (remember as many downhills as uphills ;))
GIVE ME LIBERTY or give me death....
give me this race cause it's one of the fastest growing Kansas city races. Give me this race cause the swag that comes with it (gloves, t-shirts, cinch sack, free … MORE
give me this race cause it’s one of the fastest growing Kansas city races. Give me this race cause the swag that comes with it (gloves, t-shirts, cinch sack, free photos). give me this race as a great first challenge to kick of the year, the course isn’t easy but if you have been training you’ll weather the storm. Give me this race cause its clear the race director cares for its participants (bathrooms at each aid station, shuttle buses from parking areas, an indoor area to meet up in before going to the start line, and he has his community on board as they come out to watch)! This race is one of the first highly attended Half Marathons of the year here in Kansas City, it screams springtime racing season is here! Every year it just gets better and better. GIVE ME LIBERTY, #whythehillnot
HILLS!!!!!
Great race but be sure you are ready. Being from Louisiana it is hard to train for hills... although I wasn't expecting this many hills. Packet pickup was a breeze … MORE
Great race but be sure you are ready. Being from Louisiana it is hard to train for hills… although I wasn’t expecting this many hills.
Packet pickup was a breeze and there were a few vendors at the expo. The half marathon runners got a long sleeve shirt and gloves, while 5K received a short sleeve.
There is a strict 3.5 hour time limit so be sure you can finish so you don’t miss out on this HUGE medal… believe me, you will work for it!
Course support was great! Water and sports drink every mile and a few cheerleaders throughout.
The course is a combination of commercial and residential so be prepared to run in the sun (there is also some shade).
Our weather was good; cool and windy.
Be sure you check the parking situation. It rained the week before the race so parking was limited. There was a shuttle service but I waited to long to get in line and was on one of the last buses (totally my fault). The last 2 buses arrived after the starting gun but my time was ok so it allowed me to finish before the cutoff.
If you need this for one of your 50 states or are up for a challenge, this is a good race. I probably would not do it again but only because I had to drive 10 hours Friday, run Saturday, and drive 10 hours Sunday. (poor planning on my part)
Liberty Hospital Half Marathon
I expected this to be kind of a niche run… but that notion was pretty quickly dispelled when we got to the expo. Communication from the race was great and … MORE
I expected this to be kind of a niche run… but that notion was pretty quickly dispelled when we got to the expo. Communication from the race was great and the expo was well run and had decent vendors. There was a huge selection of race merchandise available… which you expect at larger races, but not always from smaller ones.
Race morning was smooth. Parking is very limited at the race start. But there was a shuttle lot arranged and buses were regularly moving. Even still the line got long. You definitely want to arrive early.
Liberty is a nice suburb and the course took you through the heart of the historic section, but portions of it were in industrial areas and on highway access roads. Nothing terrible there… but also not the most scenic. Course support was awesome. There were water stations every mile and plenty of people to cheer you on. Not much food offered on course… so bring something if you need it.
The shirt is a nice long sleeve tee and the medal is huge… maybe almost too big. But it is a beautiful medal and a nice reward for crossing the finish line. Post race there were some good snacks to replenish your energy.
One thing to note… you have to maintain a 16 min per mile pace (3:30 finish) and it is strictly enforced. If this is challenging… this may not be your race. If i were looking for a Missouri run to complete the 50-state challenge, this probably wouldn’t be my first pick… but for someone local or close by this was a well produced and fun event.
One tough half of fun
If you like a challenge, this race is for you. The Pacers are the best and will keep you motivated to keep going. If you can excel at this race, … MORE
If you like a challenge, this race is for you. The Pacers are the best and will keep you motivated to keep going. If you can excel at this race, you can do anything. The course entertainment gets better every year as this race grows. The finisher medals are the largest and heaviest I have ever received from a race. Phenomenal. And the race shirts are always made from the softest materials.
I did what I needed to do.
It was a difficult race due to the hills, but I accomplished the time I needed to in order to go to Pike’s Peak in August. The Pacers, Krystal and … MORE
It was a difficult race due to the hills, but I accomplished the time I needed to in order to go to Pike’s Peak in August. The Pacers, Krystal and Rachel, helped me get there!
Great Event
This event is so well organized. There was fun swag and a lot of vendors at the Expo. Free photos and massages. The course was hilly and difficult, but there … MORE
This event is so well organized. There was fun swag and a lot of vendors at the Expo. Free photos and massages. The course was hilly and difficult, but there were a lot of spectators cheering us on. I highly recommend this race!