The name NOLAN means “champion” and the annual Nolan Davidson Champion’s Run was established to celebrate Nolan Davidson and the spirit of competition and determination in which he lived his life. On December 7th 2023, Nolan tragically passed away from injuries sustained from a drunk driving accident. Nolan’s love for …
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The name NOLAN means “champion” and the annual Nolan Davidson Champion’s Run was established to celebrate Nolan Davidson and the spirit of competition and determination in which he lived his life. On December 7th 2023, Nolan tragically passed away from injuries sustained from a drunk driving accident. Nolan’s love for sports and compassion for others left a lasting impact on his school community and the Kansas City youth soccer community.
With last year’s race proceeds, the Nolan Davidson Foundation was able to donate $30,000 to KC Fusion Soccer Club for youth scholarships, fully fund the Foundry Church’s Club 45 youth group nights for fourth and fifth graders, and donate over 1,000 toys to Children’s Mercy Hospital.
We look forward to continuing our support this year to these programs as well as providing scholarships to four KC metro high school cross country runners . Your support will have a direct and positive impact by supporting the next generation of athletes, accessibility to church activities for youth, and gifts for hospitalized children.
This family friendly event will offer an opportunity for all ability levels with a 5k, 10k, and 1.10 mile run. Bring your family, friends, and teammates out to join us in celebrating Nolan Davidson. Runners, walkers and stroller riders are all welcome! The race will start and finish at Children’s Mercy Park and loop around the Kansas Speedway.
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Driven by a united community
For a seemingly simple race, I really like the Nolan Davidson Champions 10k. For a quick highlight, it's on a course we never do, indoors restrooms, TONS of volunteer support, … MORE
For a seemingly simple race, I really like the Nolan Davidson Champions 10k. For a quick highlight, it’s on a course we never do, indoors restrooms, TONS of volunteer support, comfy long-sleeved shirt and a medal. It’s only in its second year of existence, so it’s not a big race, in terms of runner recognition. Yet, the Nolan Davidson Foundation has done an amazing job to make it a quality race.
I was running late (surprise surprise), so had my running partner get my packet. I hate to admit it, but he is right. It really is better to arrive at least one hour prior to a race and not my former 15 minutes anti-social arrival. I split the difference and arrived 30 minutes prior. A large group gathered inside the Sporting KC stadium while others preferred the outdoors.
As the start time approached us, we were able to quickly get a spot to the side of the start line. I don’t remember the exact start time, but it doesn’t bother me if races start late for good cause. At the Nolan Davidson race, there is good cause. After the national anthem, Nolan’s father spoke about the foundation, a pastor offered a prayer and a local cheerleadering team kicked off the event. I appreciate those details. In my mind, these personalized details separate a race from a race in someone’s honor. And when honoring someone is at stake, everyone runs a little faster.
This is very family-friendly event. I’d venture to say that my running friends and I were in the minority as regular runners. The majority of participants were clearly young soccer players, their families or other youth sports athletes. There was a bit of bob and weave at the start, but the road was wide enough to clear after the first mile or so.
The 10k course does two laps. Everyone starts in front of the soccer stadium and then heads uphill to the Kansas Speedway exterior. I like the peacefulness of a wide open course on a crisp December morning. It’s rare to have this venue to ourselves, so running around this parking lots definitely offers more of a view than an office complex (sorry Corporate Woods).
This year, I did NOT miss a turn. No, the course is not complicated, I just didn’t pay attention last year. I spent the first two miles finding my footing and the last two miles with an upset stomach. I KNOW I could have had a better time, but with a slow start and upset stomach, I kept an okay pace. Next time, I’ll come better prepared and on time.
According to the official times, I was the last finisher, but I could have sworn there was another runner behind me. Or maybe it was just the echos of the battle cries my running partner pressed upon the group of teenage boys to cry out to me as I ran to catch up. And this was not just one group of volunteers, but every course monitor. One group switched their music to the Rocky theme song as I approached their spot, so of course, I had to run.
By the time I finished, the post-race festivities were all but over. My running partner grabbed a burrito and we rested a bit inside the stadium. It’s a small detail, but much appreciated. Whether it’s summer or winter, we usually are stuck outdoors to bare the elements, so to be indoors, even for a bit, it a perk.
Now, the medal is somewhat lacking. From a fundraising standpoint, I get saving some money for a smaller medal. From a runner’s standpoint, if it’s supposed to be an ornament, can it be Christmas themed? Or at least not just a rectangle with the logo and ribbon? The NDF does everything else so well, I have no doubt things will keep improving.
Great second year
So I like this course. It's twice around the OUTSIDE of the speedway. We don't go on the speedway at any time, which would be neat, but this isn't that … MORE
So I like this course. It’s twice around the OUTSIDE of the speedway. We don’t go on the speedway at any time, which would be neat, but this isn’t that big of a race. It’s the only race that uses this course, and it’s a joy to get out on the super wide roads and go to town. There’s a pretty long hill at the start of the course for about a mile, and the second lap is a little different than the first, with one more smaller uphill (and downhill). It’s a fast course. I’ve almost PR’ed here, due at least in part to the great volunteers at the two (three?) aid stations that you’ll hit twice, once on each lap. I actually only stopped at one of them so I’m not sure if it was water only at the others as well, but the volunteers cheered everyone on with sincere enthusiasm.
The tshirt is a nice heavy longsleeve cotton shirt. It’s not thick, per se, but has a high density weave, and it is quite warm without being bulky. The medal “doubles as an ornament” but it’s basically a rectangle with the logo on it, so not really something festive that anyone would use as an ornament, which is why I’m marking the swag down. There’s a trend this time of year of making sub-5k size medals, drilling a hole in them and calling them ornaments once you tie a ribbon on. If you’re going to go that route, at least design a really stylish medal. Better yet, don’t go that route.
Food truck available at the end, but I couldn’t stick around so I didn’t test it out. The inside of the stadium lobby (and restrooms) are available pre-race, so nobody is standing around in the cold. Sometimes it’s the little things that really make an okay race a great one, so thanks to the RD and crew for that one — +1 to production for sure.
My race partner was having a rough day. To be fair we both had a rough start, and the first two miles I just wasn’t feeling. Shout out to the course marshals and aid station volunteers who apparently all satisfied my request to cheer her on by name when she came by after me. I know she wanted a better race, and they certainly tried to give it to her. Subpar medal or not, I’ll probably be back next year as well. Hope to see you there.
First time "Go" at this station.
Great race. Even better inaugural race. Two lap course, which despite being my least favorite form, this worked really well, it's on fully closed down roads basically encircling the speedway. … MORE
Great race. Even better inaugural race. Two lap course, which despite being my least favorite form, this worked really well, it’s on fully closed down roads basically encircling the speedway. There’s an obnoxiously long hill at the start but then it’s flat the rest of the way. Could have PR’ed today but was helping a friend who was struggling. Two water aid stations (that you hit twice) and the few turns off the main road that existed were well marshalled. The shirts are a heavy, almost sweatshirt thickness long-sleeve and the medal is decently designed and doubles as a Christmas tree ornament.