Rock the Parkway Half Marathon and 5K is Kansas City’s largest half marathon and is run along Kansas City’s favorite half marathon course on historic Ward Parkway! Both events start and finish in front of the world headquarters of our host, Burns & McDonnell. The half marathon race is run …
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Rock the Parkway Half Marathon and 5K is Kansas City’s largest half marathon and is run along Kansas City’s favorite half marathon course on historic Ward Parkway! Both events start and finish in front of the world headquarters of our host, Burns & McDonnell. The half marathon race is run separately from the 5K which starts after the half marathon participants have departed the starting area.
Rock the Parkway is known for its beautiful course along historic Ward Parkway, high quality half marathon and 5K finisher medals, live music along the course, tech shirts, and more! All participants will compete for age group and overall awards that will be awarded in more than a dozen age group categories. You can opt in to receive your results right after you finish by text message when you sign up!
The tree-lined residential Rock the Parkway course features tree lined boulevards, urban parks, distinctive architecture and fountains and has been voted a favorite among area runners. The course is a fairly flat, undulating terrain with a 1.5 mile downhill to the finish. There will be water/Gatorade stations every 1.5 to 2 miles along the course with Gu or similar products at one or two of the later water stations.
The event is excited to partner with Children’s Mercy Kansas City, the Rock the Parkway beneficiary. As a not-for-profit pediatric hospital, Children’s Mercy provides the highest level of care to every child who passes through its doors regardless of a family’s ability to pay thanks to generous philanthropic and volunteer support.
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It's an annual tradition for me
I've always loved RTP. For the course this year, it was no different. But they made some changes to the after party. We could not find a banana or cup … MORE
I’ve always loved RTP. For the course this year, it was no different. But they made some changes to the after party. We could not find a banana or cup of coffee anywhere. Plus it took 15 minutes to leave the parking lot.
Eighth time running
I keep coming back to RTP for a reason - they do a great job of organizing this race. This was the first year I skipped packet pick up on … MORE
I keep coming back to RTP for a reason – they do a great job of organizing this race. This was the first year I skipped packet pick up on Friday. It was easy to pick up my bib and shirt on Saturday and find the bag drop. great job to the entire RTP crew!
Well done race
Well organized race. It is not flat, it is not insanely hilly, but no monster hills. It was not as beautiful of a run as I was hoping. There were … MORE
Well organized race. It is not flat, it is not insanely hilly, but no monster hills. It was not as beautiful of a run as I was hoping. There were many well stocked and well staffed aid stops. Each aid stop had at least three portajohns as well. Overall good race.
Ate my lunch
I said I wasn't going to push hard on this one since I have the Boston Tough Ruck in 8 days. The first three miles my pace was 10% slower. … MORE
I said I wasn’t going to push hard on this one since I have the Boston Tough Ruck in 8 days. The first three miles my pace was 10% slower. I didn’t like that, because it just didn’t feel right to not dig in, so I tried to speed up. Eh. Didn’t really matter. The slow rolling hills which I normally would have chewed up (okay there’s a couple large ones) just kept going on today. This was the first time I almost got swept off a course. I lost a lot of time once we got off the parkway for a brief 2-3 mile loop in a neighborhood, because a lot of the roads there were kind of chewed up or lopsided, but then back out on the parkway for some rolling beat down. Actually, I dug in and caught up to about 12% over par time, but I’ve finished half marathons faster and had more energy afterwards.
Crowd support was excellent, with just about every other block coming out (some with megaphones) to cheer everyone on. There were a few course breakers who figured they can drive through the course, but big kudos to KCPD for some super-fast-to-respond motorcycle officers who cleared them off the course.
The shirt is a nice tech shirt with the blue and gold Rock the Parkway colors. Instead of just a list of sponsors there’s a large bold print “I Rocked It” on the back which makes it look way less billboardy.
This is the 15th year of the race, unbeknownst to me, and while every medal from this race looks nice, this year they really classed it up with the traditional logo under “15th year”. Great showcase medal.
This is the second race in the Heartland 39.3 series, and though the course profile should have been easier than Liberty, my coach and I both found this more taxing. Be prepared when you come, and don’t underestimate Ward Parkway!
Repeat Runner
I keep coming back to Rock the Parkway for a reason - it's so well run. beautiful course. great volunteers. overall a well run race. Highly recommend this race. MORE
I keep coming back to Rock the Parkway for a reason – it’s so well run. beautiful course. great volunteers. overall a well run race. Highly recommend this race.
Beautiful Run
Running race, as a half marathon (and an available 5K) was picture perfect this year. As it’s springtime, weather can be cold, rainy, sunny, hot, or any combination thereof. This … MORE
Running race, as a half marathon (and an available 5K) was picture perfect this year. As it’s springtime, weather can be cold, rainy, sunny, hot, or any combination thereof. This annual running race always takes place on one of Kansas City’s most beautiful boulevards complete with magnificent residences, greenery, and fountains. Water/aid stations were plentiful as were spectators. One of my ‘to-do’ runs every year.
I highly recommend this race.
Communication was good. Packet pickup was smooth. Only swag was a short sleeved black tech shirt. Expo was small. The course is beautiful. First three miles were uphill. Going through … MORE
Communication was good. Packet pickup was smooth. Only swag was a short sleeved black tech shirt. Expo was small. The course is beautiful. First three miles were uphill. Going through all residential areas I was surprised that there weren’t more spectators. First 6 miles was really lacking. Many were quiet but responded if I called out to them. Aid stations were fine but I would prefer electrolyte drink to come before the water. 2 bands on the course and one I ran away from. Post race food was fun but no bagels or electrolyte drink. Craft beer. Free and nice Polaroid-type photos.
Great crowd Beautiful scenery
This is a fun, must do run everyone should do at least once! Well organized, great runner environment, enthusiastic spectators, and beautiful scenery as this race takes place on one … MORE
This is a fun, must do run everyone should do at least once! Well organized, great runner environment, enthusiastic spectators, and beautiful scenery as this race takes place on one of Kansas City’s most scenic boulevard, Ward Parkway.
I love coming back to the this course
I've been running RTP for years, simply because it's a great race. The staff does a great job putting this race on every year. And running a beautiful course is … MORE
I’ve been running RTP for years, simply because it’s a great race. The staff does a great job putting this race on every year. And running a beautiful course is an added bonus.
They always do a great job
I have run this race several times and the crew does a great job with the course and post-race fun. no medals at the end this year because of supply … MORE
I have run this race several times and the crew does a great job with the course and post-race fun. no medals at the end this year because of supply chain issues but they are working on mailing them to us.
Love this course
KC got this one right. from packet pick up to the start to the finish it's all a great race. relatively flat course, nice scenery along the way with the … MORE
KC got this one right. from packet pick up to the start to the finish it’s all a great race. relatively flat course, nice scenery along the way with the right amount spectators.
Come To Kansas City For This Great Half!
Ran this race as my first-ever half marathon in 2017 and then ran it again in 2018. Highly recommended! And, a great half marathon and opportunity for anyone outside the … MORE
Ran this race as my first-ever half marathon in 2017 and then ran it again in 2018. Highly recommended! And, a great half marathon and opportunity for anyone outside the Kansas City area who wants to experience the city and participate in a superbly organized event.
Highlights:
* Mostly flat course with welcoming downhill finish — great for helping you achieve your PR.
* Scenic course through some of the most beautiful parts of Kansas City, Missouri.
* USATF-certified.
* Live music on the course to keep you motivated.
* Supportive pacers and all that good, energetic Midwest crowd support.
I especially appreciated the well-organized wave start, live racer tracking, results being available right after you finish, super huge medal, and post-race free, downloadable photos.
KC Running Company does an excellent job with this race and provides a great experience for the runners. And, the race raises funds for a most deserving charity each year!
Oh, and if you are visiting from out of town, be sure to check out any of Kansas City’s famous BBQ restaurants.
Really well-run event along nice scenery
This race highlights Ward Parkway, one of the nicest streets in Kansas City, lined with beautiful homes and churches. The terrain would qualify as "gently rolling", not exactly flat, but … MORE
This race highlights Ward Parkway, one of the nicest streets in Kansas City, lined with beautiful homes and churches. The terrain would qualify as “gently rolling”, not exactly flat, but nothing to worry about in terms of hills. The organizational side of things was top notch. I picked up my number the morning of the race (a bit of a scramble for parking, but nothing dire), so I can’t speak to the quality of the race expo. Good crowd support, great volunteers. Well done!
My favorite race in KC!
This race has some of the best spectators ever! I've ran the half marathon several times and it's one of my favorites in Kansas City. It is always well organized, … MORE
This race has some of the best spectators ever! I’ve ran the half marathon several times and it’s one of my favorites in Kansas City. It is always well organized, and there is a lot of entertainment along the way.
It’s a family affair
Several of my family members participated including my mom- it was her first half marathon. Shirt was ok. Medal was beautiful. Course was hard but I was running on a … MORE
Several of my family members participated including my mom- it was her first half marathon. Shirt was ok. Medal was beautiful. Course was hard but I was running on a bum knee. I signed up as part of the Heartland 39.3 series.