Kansas City Marathon

My first marathon & overall a wonderful experience! Expo & packet pick up was good - local running store booths, pacer tent, free airbrush tattoos, lots of booths for upcoming races. Parking for expo was free in downtown KC at Union station. Race day parking was also free but be prepared for a bit of a walk to the start (nice warm up!) there were a lot of porta pots at the start but even so the lines were long. No corrals but pacers had people grouped around them. I started with 4:40 pace group - my pacer was VERY Enthusiastic & fun but a bit after halfway point he handed off to another pacer & slowed down (though he did tell us all he was planning to do that). I ended with the 4:50 pacer who offered great words of encouragement! The course was new this year & everyone said much improved - still lots of hills but more strategically located along the course compared to years past. I'm from KC & train regularly on real steep grades & didn't mind the hills at all. Spectators were AMAZING! saw lots of great signs & they were wonderful cheering us on. Aid stations were well stocked & it was clear when you wanted water then sports drink, volunteers very friendly. Later aid stations also had Gu & bananas & even had a pickle juice & chicken broth station at Mile 24. Finish line was amazing though I didn't stay for the food (I was wanting brunch - recommend First Watch if you like breakfast after marathon). My only issue with this race was first few aid stations had a line of porta pots but only 1 actually open (?!?!) and so lines were long - that REALLY slowed me down! I hope they fix that next year otherwise really awesome race!

You will earn your finishers medal.