St. Patrick’s 5K at Park Place
Leawood, KS
- 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Join us for the annual St. Patrick’s 5K at Park Place in Leawood! Wear your best St. Patrick’s outfit to compete in the costume contest and enjoy a fun race! The race will be chip-timed. Participants will receive a custom finishers medal and a pint glass, participants can also purchase … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Mar 14):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 70 | 77 | 68 | 48 | 57 |
| L (°F) | 39 | 59 | 53 | 21 | 41 |
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Leawood still a dark horse
This is a wonderful course supporting a wonderful cause (Lucky 13 Rescue), so it's a very dog-friendly event. I saw probably a dozen plus pooches out dressed as everything from … MORE
This is a wonderful course supporting a wonderful cause (Lucky 13 Rescue), so it’s a very dog-friendly event. I saw probably a dozen plus pooches out dressed as everything from leprechauns to sprinters (complete with Tshirt and shorts). The energy is high, as it always is at the few Leawood races that exist each year, and the shopping center’s firepits were lit at the start of the race to help stave off the cold. I wanted to give this 3.5 shoes for difficulty, as there are two long (for a 5k) uphills, but the last 4 turns that wind you back into the shopping center to the finish line are downhill or flat, and with the excitement of the crowd cheering in even the back of the packers and the music playing, it’s easy to dig deep and realize a strong final push. Props to ccruiz03 for negative splits despite a strong start. You are a machine.
People of all shapes and sizes finish to applause and cheering at this race, and there are plenty of places immediately available to duck in and have a celebration drink/snack/meal afterwards. My running partner and I knocked out another six miles after the race to make 12 for the day (with a 5k pre-miles), and when we returned to the former finish line there were still a lot of people in bibs and medals walking around, meeting people to eat or drink or hangout or what have you. Like I said, there’s great energy here and Leawood knows how to show up for a race.
I believe I heard there was gatorade at one of the aid stations, but I just ran through when I got to them since there seemed to be quite a number of runners unfamiliar with how to hit one on the move, but for a 5k in cool weather, that may not be a problem for you. The energy at the end of the course is audible before you’re even in the shopping center, and while I missed negative splits by 7 seconds, I did almost PR out there. I briefly ran with one woman who was doing her first 5k, and her friend running with her said she was looking at setting a PR, so don’t let the hills discourage you, that’s just the roller coaster loading up for the downhill to the finish.
While I normally don’t comment heavily on places not affiliated with the race in my reviews, Plate Modern Italian is a stone’s throw from the finish line, and their wood fired pizza is delicious. Our waiter was amazing, attentive, and helpful with the wine selection, and I am deeply sorry I don’t remember his name. Great young man.
Leawood needs more races! They run it!
Leawood knows how to do a race. Great energy. This is where Lucky 13 Rescue shows up so it's very animal friendly. Located at a great shopping center with tons … MORE
Leawood knows how to do a race. Great energy. This is where Lucky 13 Rescue shows up so it’s very animal friendly. Located at a great shopping center with tons of nice little places to duck in and grab a bite before and after, which it seems like a great many people do. Very much a party atmosphere, and did I mention there’s a wine bar there? Did this race last year and my Gatorade froze in my beard so it was nice to do it in a long sleeve t-shirt this year.
Good gradual hill work. Nothing steep, but some long gradual climbs. Really nice medal for a 5k. Would have thought I was at a 10k and honestly I’ve done halves with medals that weren’t as nice. I nearly PRed without even trying just from talking to people as I passed them and finally catching up to some people I could pace nicely. I only slowed down at the end because my heart monitor was a little higher than my cardiologist likes while I’m recovering from a heart attack, but you can put it work here and get rewarded for it far beyond what it feels like you’re doing.
Bring more races to Leawood they know how to bring their A-game to a race.