Marathon    Half Marathon    Team Relay    5 K    Kids' Marathon

With only 2 noticeable hills and a couple of medium ones, this deceptively fast half marathon course will become even faster since we’ve taken out two ¼ mile hills. It is certainly the most scenic! The route connects the major attractions of Downtown to the Union Station to the Liberty Memorial to Midtown to Westport to The Plaza to the Nelson Atkins Museum to Hyde Park to the 18th & Vine District before finishing back at Crown Center. This race will certainly stand on its own as a fall target but can also serve as an excellent tune up for fall marathons or fun post marathon run.

Start to Mile 4
The start is at 22nd on Grand, near Crown Center. It heads north to 11th St. to provide a gradual downhill followed by a long, gentle uphill. Check out the Sprint Center and Power & Light District. Turn left on 11th to take in some of the historic downtown followed by a left on Main to head back by the Power & Light District and enjoy a long gradual downhill. Continue heading down the hill followed by a small rise to Pershing.

Turn right to run by the famous Bloch fountain in front of the Union Station and then head up Kessler for ½ mile before taking a left on Memorial drive and onto the loop leading to the Liberty Memorial. This gives everyone 2.5+ miles of a few turns and two long straight stretches of road to spread out a little and warm up before heading up the biggest hill to the Liberty Memorial. Be careful not to go out too fast so you’ll be ready for it. The flat, scenic ½ mile stretch on Liberty Memorial Drive provides everyone a much needed break before heading south on Wyandotte for a short, steep up and downhill to 31st Street and then left to Main.

Miles 4 to 8
The next 4 miles are flat to downhill with some rolling hills in between so you can really make some good time through here. Head south on Main through Midtown, and turn right on Westport Rd. through the heart of Westport. The only noticeable hill of this section will be encountered upon leaving the Westport area, but fortunately it’s a gradual incline. Stay on this road until you see Roanoke Parkway and take a left on this tree shaded long gradual downhill – you’ll really be able to pick up the pace on this stretch if you’re after a time goal. After turning left on 47th and reaching the halfway point to go through the Plaza, you’ll pass several fountains including the JC Nichols fountain. You’ll get to stay with the marathoners for the first 7.8 miles before turning left on Troost and left on Brush Creek Blvd. Lots of things to see on this portion while cruising right along!

Miles 8 to 10
From Brush Creek Blvd., you’ll turn right on Gilham to enjoy a long flat stretch before dealing with the 2nd and final big hill about 8.7 miles into the race on the scenic Harrison Pkwy through the historic Hyde Park area to Harrison St. Things flatten out as you take a right on Armour followed by another gradual uphill, and then left on The Paseo.

Miles 10 to finish
The last few miles offer a long gradual downhill followed by a final long flat stretch to make for a very fast finish. This is where most people leave our pacers to finish up to several minutes ahead. Continue north on The Paseo and take advantage of the 1.5 mile gentle downhill. Turn left on 18th St. to enjoy another long flat stretch before a series of turns on McGee to 20th and then to Grand to negotiate a final small gradual hill over a bridge. From there, it’ll be easy to show off as you get a 250 yard pancake flat finish to Pershing at Crown Center. Your treat for handling the first 10 miles is being able to finish strong with the last 3 miles being downhill to mostly flat.

Training Schedules
Kansas City Half Marathon Training Schedules