As Excelsior Springs’ only 5K race, we are committed to providing a uniquely local event that reflects our community’s heritage. We’ve moved the starting line to Broadway, in front of the historic Hall of Waters (which inspires the artwork of our 5K medals). Other Trails Coffee & Goods, located next to the Hall of Waters, is the corporate sponsor of the Tortoise & Hare. Thanks to their generous support in underwriting the costs of the event, every dollar raised through registration fees will go directly to benefit The Good Samaritan Center in our mission to alleviate hunger and homelessness in our community. Be sure to say thanks when you stop by their cozy coffee shop in downtown Excelsior Springs for a coffee drink, tea, or one of their yummy baked goods.
Runners and walkers will gather on Broadway in front of the Hall of Waters. When the air horn blasts at 8 a.m., some will race along a scenic 5K course that includes chip timing and prizes for the winners. Some will stroll more casually and enjoy a two-mile walk. And the kids will take off on their own fun run to earn their own special prize.
BRAND NEW COURSE!
We have a brand new out-and-back course this year, which runs down Broadway, turning onto the road behind Piburn Field, then following the asphalt trail in Fishing River Linear Park (which parallels Fishing River) to Golf Hill Drive. At this point, the runners and the walkers will go their separate ways. Runners will climb uphill on Golf Hill Drive (less than a half-mile run to the top, though it may feel like more!) and do a loop through the scenic neighborhood beside the golf course before returning down the hill they way they came. Walkers will leave the asphalt trail to walk down Lover’s Lane, then take the sidewalk to Marietta Street back to Broadway. Both runners and walkers alike will pass the historic Superior Well while on the trail through Fishing River Linear Park.
Aramark, the Excelsior Springs School District’s food service company, will provide finish line food for all the 5K runners.
Beyond the race and running, this year’s Tortoise & Hare will feature:
NEW & ARTISTIC SHIRTS!
We’ve totally redesigned the shirts for this year’s event. Soft, comfortable t-shirts will feature the design of local artist Jason Cole.Every participant (in each event) will receive a high-quality shirt. (Registration deadline to receive shirts is March 31.) PLEASE NOTE: When you register, you will be asked to select a t-shirt size. Please be aware that women’s sizes may be smaller than the unisex sizes.
UNIQUE MEDALS!
Our medals are sure to become collector’s items each year! Every participant in the chip-timed 5K event will receive a unique medal that incorporates the design elements found in the historic Hall of Waters. The site of the first mineral water spring discovered in Excelsior Springs in the 1880s, the Hall of Waters features the world’s longest water bar inside a two-story solarium, where the famed waters from the city’s ten main springs were piped to be served to visitors from around the world.
The Hall of Waters features Art Deco style architecture with motifs of Mayan tradition. Our 5K medals reflect these design elements and are sure to become collectors items each year. This year’s medal design will be unveiled soon!
We are grateful to ReeceNichols Realtors Excelsior Springs for sponsoring this year’s medals. Thanks to the support of our sponsors, 100 percent of the operating costs of the Tortoise & Hare have been subsidized. That means every dollar of your race registration will directly support the work of the Good Samaritan Center in our community.
PRIZES!
First-place overall finishers in the men’s and women’s divisions of the 5K race will each receive a $100 gift card from our longtime sponsor, The Running Well Store. A $20 gift card from our longtime sponsor Dubious Claims Brewing Company will be awarded to the first place finisher in both men’s and women’s age group categories.
New this year! The first runner to reach the top of Siloam Mountain (in both the men’s and women’s division) will be proclaimed King/Queen of the Hill and earn a $20 gift card and mug from Other Trails Coffee & Goods.
HOT CHOCOLATE FUN RUN
After the 5K run and walk gets started, there will be a short fun run for the kids. Every participant in the Kids Hot Chocolate Fun Run will receive a coupon for a free hot chocolate drink at Other Trails. (Registration fee for the fun run is automatically set at $15, no need to enter the coupon code.)
HAVE MORE FUN WITH A TEAM of your best friends or co-workers! Create a team of five, and each participant will receive a $6 discount (only $24 — like signing up 4 and getting the 5th member free). You might even want to get artistic and design some team t-shirts for your group. Team leaders have the option to create a team and register all of the members together, or to allow team members to register individually after the team has been created. (Note: The discount is applied retroactively when the final team member registers.)
THE GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER
This annual event supports the work of The Good Samaritan Center. For more than 30 years, the Good Samaritan Center has been dedicated to preventing homelessness and hunger by providing basic life needs and access to life skills for residents in northern Clay County (including Excelsior Springs, Lawson, Kearney and Smithville) and throughout Ray County.
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