Rexy Run & Walk
Lawrence, KS
- 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Rexy Run/Walk begins and ends at Broken Arrow Park, a picturesque city park, in southeast Lawrence and will wind through the Baker Wetlands on a combination of paved concrete trails and fine gravel trails. The Rexy Run is stroller and dog friendly. The Rexy Run is hosted by BabyJay’s … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Aug 15):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 95 | 92 | 83 | 92 | 86 |
| L (°F) | 70 | 70 | 58 | 69 | 62 |
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Beware of the Mile 6’s Bite
Apparently 2025 is the year of first. This was my first Rexy Run and one of the first summer runs that I didn’t feel that killed me in mile one. … MORE
Apparently 2025 is the year of first. This was my first Rexy Run and one of the first summer runs that I didn’t feel that killed me in mile one. I somehow managed sub-14 minute mile for the first two miles, for an overall pace of 14:51, according to my Garmin. For a summer race, I shocked myself. Midwestern summers destroy my pace. The fact that I was able to stay steady and not feel completely destroyed afterward makes this race an instant winner.
From my understanding, the 10k race is not a typical distance for this race. It is usually a 5k or 8k. However, the 10k was added in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Rexy Run. Runners definitely need to arrive early and avoid adding mileage by parking a good half mile away from the start line. Early risers can park a few yards from the start/finish line or across the street at the local church. Whether a walk away or a few steps away, the high-energy atmosphere extends to all corners and immediately felt upon arrival, even in a Midwestern August heat.
The course route is pretty straightforward. Runners exit the park and continue a short sidewalk path before joining the park trail. The first mile sneaks in a some elevation with a slight incline, but quickly rewards runners in the second mile with a steady decline. Elevation gradually increases over the next four miles, but it’s slight and easy to handle. The out and back course allows continuous encouragement for all runners. There is a treacherous stretch between mile 3 and 4, if I remember correctly, where the wall sound barrier tricks runners into thinking there will be some shade. In order for runners to get any type of shade, they need to stick close to the wall on the way back or be five feet high. Luckily, I fall into the latter category so I did get some shade, but not enough to cool down on this hot and humid summer morning.
The Rexy Run 10k is not an exact out and back, as runner turn shortly before the 5 mile marker to head home. The toughest mile is between 5 and 6. Runners continue on the initial sidewalk past the finish festivities to the local school’s parking lot for the turnaround. First-timers beware, the left turn into the final stretch does not lead you directly to the finish line, another short parking loop is needed before heading back down to loop again and up to the finish. If it sounds confusing, it was to me. It’s a bit of a zigzag, and it was hard for me to determine when to kick it up for the final power run finish. I still had a good finish time, so I have no complaints.
The ice cold water, chocolate milk, and juice options paired perfectly with the Bundt cake samples. There was undoubtedly some bananas and other healthly options, but who can turn down red velvet cake? Freshly squeezed lemonade and other treats are available for purchase. A bouncy house will keep kids entertained as adults find time to bid on various items at the auction table. On the way back to the car, I noticed non-running families arrive to the event. Since this was the first time I attended, I didn’t expect that level of participation and/or turnout. It was a pleasant surprise.
Overall, I really enjoyed the Rexy Run. I initially figured it would be a race I would check off as a local race ‘to-do’ list, but I want to go back. Aside from a fun vibe, race organizers cleverly design the medals to connect year after year. It’s a nice touch and encourages runners to participate again, at least it does for me.
Great support in the wetlands
This race follows a mostly paved path around the wetlands. The rest of the path is tightly packed pea gravel and a little sidewalk and a parking lot at the … MORE
This race follows a mostly paved path around the wetlands. The rest of the path is tightly packed pea gravel and a little sidewalk and a parking lot at the end if you’re doing the 10k. This course is hot. There’s just no way around that. Fortunately, the wonderful event organizers had 5 water stations set up, which was very much appreciated on this 100+ heat index day with the dew point topping 71.
This is legitimately a fun course to run, and this seems to be practically the only race that ever takes advantage of this course. The medals are a cute design and link together magnetically, and the shirts are a soft cotton with cute cartoony bugs and dinosaurs every year. My Strava tracked at 6.43 and my Garmin at 6.24 so hug those corners.
The end of the race had a tent set up with some delicious bundt cake that had been cut into finger-food sized portions. There was milk, red bull and ice-cold water available at the end, plus a bouncy house for the kids.
Welcome to the picnic!
....because that's how this race felt afterwards. Great energy from everyone. Nice loop with an out-and-back added for the 8k. That stretch was a little boring as it ran parallel … MORE
….because that’s how this race felt afterwards. Great energy from everyone. Nice loop with an out-and-back added for the 8k. That stretch was a little boring as it ran parallel to the road and the only thing there was a retaining wall blocking the wind and a lot of heat on the other side not being blocked. No trees on this course so it could be rough in a hot year, but the medal and tshirt (cotton) were excellent and unique and snacks a plenty (prepackaged and from local vendors) were available at the end. This race was a lot of fun. The scenery I was torn between 3 and 4 shoes. It’s around a small lake/large pond with a wetlands vibe to it. It’s pretty, but there’s not a tree out there, so it can get repetitive. Some of the path is paved and some is loose small gravel, so I did lose some time on the gravel, but it’s a fast course overall. If I could PR there (which I did) then you can, too. This will be a do-again race for me (and it benefits a great cause.)