Rescue 911’s Great Pupkin Run
Overland Park, KS
- 5K, 1 Miler
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Great ‘Pupkin’ Run benefits Rescue K-911. Rescue K-911 is a non-profit, no kill, and all volunteer run animal rescue service in the Midwest. We do not currently have a rescue facility, so we rely on the kindness and generosity of animal lovers like you, who donate funds/items, and who … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 19):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 66 | 75 | 72 | 55 | 74 |
| L (°F) | 45 | 44 | 50 | 26 | 54 |
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Perfect Stroll on a Perfect Sunday
Over the past year, I have partaken in more charity 5ks to benefit a variety of animal shelters than previously, and, surprisingly, I have come to really enjoy them. Rescue … MORE
Over the past year, I have partaken in more charity 5ks to benefit a variety of animal shelters than previously, and, surprisingly, I have come to really enjoy them. Rescue K-911 is no exception. Coming a week off the Chicago Marathon and a day from the Kansas City Garmin Half marathon, the Aspiria Campus 5k was the perfect recovery run with cute swag for both humans and their 4-legged furry friends.
In true fashion, the Aspiria Campus 5k involves two loops. A crisp 48-degree start made me regret my shorts and thankful for my Chicago marathon jacket. (A little humble bragging doesn’t hurt either.) Although I like the course as is, I appreciate when race directors try to change it up a little. In this case, participants lined up by the park restrooms and building, which also served as packet pick-up location. We proceeded to the road after a small, steep grassy hill. A friend had a doggie stroller and went up the paved path instead. After that hill, off we went.
I am careful to not says runners ran off, because the vast majority of participants walked with their dogs, strolled with a friend, or, as was my case, walked a very leisure pace. After a tough week of long-distance runs, I needed the recovery walk, and it was perfect. I did carry a 20-25lb ruck pack. It was the perfect excuse to go slow but still add some challenge. Although I am a permanent back of the packer, the leisurely stroll guaranteed I would earn the title at this 5k. I was not alone. Of the 75 participants, only 15 had sub-30 minute finish. While still a relatively fast pace, the point remain – this was a non-competitive fun run. Instead of walking their puppies in neighborhoods, pet owners hit the track and supported a good cause. It was the perfect vibe I needed after a rough half marathon the day before.
The online registration did not indicate whether it included a t-shirt or medal, so both were a pleasant surprise. I was especially surprised at the extremely cute grey t-shirt with a collage of puppies dressed in costume ready for the trick or treating. Yup, I have my Halloween shirt for this year. The design is mirrored in the thin, medal as well. I know how difficult fundraising can be for smaller organizations, so when race swag is on point and race logistics go off without a hitch, I know the organization is well-run. I also makes me feel better about supporting such groups because I know they care enough about all the small details.
Swag was not limited to humans. Upon registration, participants were able to grab an assortment of goodies for their puppies. I appreciated the fact that those were separate. In other races, they are included in my swag bag. Since I have no use for them, I keep them in my car until I can hand them out to someone at the local dog park.
I do have one caveat. Watch out for an overwhelming amount of furry fun and cuteness. Many of the puppies were in costume. Owners kept a careful eye on the doggies and their leashes. The best moment, however, was after the race. One of the doggies was pulling two of his companions in the wagon. I may not be the best pet person, but cuteness has a soft spot in my heart.
For a 5k, I expected to just write off or add to a list of yearly races, I really enjoyed it. It’s the perfect recovery run for runners, stroll for pet owners, walk for pet supporters and quick 5k run for runners seeking a good workout.
Not the size of the dog in the fight...
This is a great little 5k supporting Rescue K-911. There are dogs out for adoption who also run/walk the race course, a big field, (VERY) heated bathrooms, tons of retail … MORE
This is a great little 5k supporting Rescue K-911. There are dogs out for adoption who also run/walk the race course, a big field, (VERY) heated bathrooms, tons of retail opportunities supporting the Rescue and a silent auction. The T-shirt was actually a really cute tech with a Halloween puppy dressed as a bat, and the medal, while lightweight, is one of the best designed medals I’ve seen this year. It’s absolutely gorgeous, as long as you don’t mind the thin design. Normally that might bother me, but more money for the charity, and it’s so striking that it’ll still have a prominent display in my end of year wrap-up hanger.
The racecourse is the loop at Aspiria campus that anyone in the area is familiar with. This one starts a little differently than usual, over by the hard structure by the tennis courts, taking that road to the loop, climbing the small hill (seriously it’s like 8 feet high) and taking two laps on the inner loop then back to where you started. There are a couple of rollers on the course, but having set 5k and half marathon PRs here, it does run fast. My performance was garbage not because of the course or the race, but because I was so sore from chasing a PR at Garmin Kansas City the day before that I just didn’t have anything left in me, but if you want to come out and get after it, this is a great place to do it. The day after Garmin KC makes it a great shakeout race opportunity as well, so whatever you’re looking for in a race, here’s a great one to sign up for. Hope to see you out there next year.