Do you ever have that one race that you REALLY enjoy going back to year to year? For me, this race is the Hospital Hill Run. The first weekend of June for the past few years (you can read last years review here), you could find me in KC running the Hospital Hill 5K, 10K, and/or half marathon!
For today’s Friday Five, I am going to give you 5 reasons you should take the leap and run with me this June!! The Hills area waiting for you!!
Hospital Hill Run
the big health and fitness expo
Many of the large, tried and true races in the Kansas City area are known for their amazing pre-race expos! At these expos, you can absolutely get your bib, chip, and extras – but I spend the most time wandering around the vendors! You can meet new people, meet up with fellow runners, meet some of the pacers (another perk!!), find some new gear (…not to use on race day!!), and get to know some of the members of the community.
The Hospital Hill Health and Fitness Expo is held Thursday and Friday. Many vendors travel from near and far to help you perform your best on race day! Whether you are picking up some last minute gels, grabbing pace bands, or finding your next set of running shoes, be sure to make some time to walk around!
Another bonus you can see when you head to the Expo on Friday is you get to see the Start/Finish line 🙂 There is just something about seeing the FINISH line of an event that you have been training so hard for that makes you get SUPER excited (…and maybe a little nervous!!)!!
the challenge
Hello! If the word “hill” is in a race title, you can surely expect at least ONE hill! The Hospital Hill Runs have several hills on their courses.
The UMKC School of Medicine 5K is held on Friday evening and it is solely a gently rolling course 🙂 The first mile is Hospital Hill – a long, steady incline to make those legs start talking to you!
The 10K course uses the same Hospital Hill climb, but it is positioned just after mile 1 – so your legs are warmed up and ready for the hilly adventure!
The half marathon course starts with the 10K and breaks away around mile 3.5 – and this is where the real fun begins!
The tallest hill (in my mind) is Trinity Hill. Within the LAST mile of the race, you are forced to run straight UP Trinity Hill…and then straight DOWN the backside! Just be glad that this hill is at the end and not the beginning… 🙂
Sure, everyone has different experiences with each hill on the course, but I love hills! Hill are my favorite! If you enjoy changes in elevation, this race is PERFECT for you!
smart pacers
One major bonus of the Hospital Hill Half Marathon is the use of the Runner’s Edge of KC Smart Pacers! I had the opportunity to pace the Hospital Hill Half in 2016 and made some lifelong running friends! Everyone is there to have a good time, or at least most people, and we had a blast!
The pacers will help you finish the race within your goal time. By taking the uphills a little slower and the downhills with a little more speed, you will better conserve your energy to the end of the race!
Plus, the pacers are always a good time!
routes
As mentioned before, this race holds several great distances including the 5K, 10K, and half marathon.
The 5K is Friday evening. The 10K and half marathon are run at the same time on Saturday morning.
Want to run the hills of KC twice?? Sign up for the Re-Run option – the 5K on Friday evening and either the 10K or half marathon on Saturday morning! Double the hill conquering!! (also more medals…for those bling chasers out there!!)
medals + extras
For each race distance, there is a medal waiting for you at the finish line!
If you complete the Re-Run, you will also get an additional medal on Saturday when you cross the finish line!
There are also several additional perks that the Hospital Hill races have!
- If you sign up for the Re-Run, you will also receive an additional swag gift at packet pick up – this year, it is a beach ball!
- Rather than a shirt, this year they are giving away pajama bottoms at packet pickup!
- After finishing each race, there is some awesome grub waiting for you at the finish! In the past couple years, after the 5K, there has been smoked meat sandwiches – and a pancake breakfast after the 10K and half marathon on Saturday morning!
I can only hope that I have at least peaked your interest in signing up for this amazing race! I will be running in BRIGHT ORANGE this year as a BibRave Pro and I want you to come and run the hills with me!!
Use the code “BIBRAVE” at checkout for 10% off your registration (not valid on the family 5K pricing).
With the next price increase coming up March 1st, I urge you to register today and save a little cash!! Use that savings at the Health and Fitness Expo 🙂
Do you have any raves that you run year to year?
I am linking up with the Friday Five 2.0 today and the Tuesdays On The Run gals next week 🙂
Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Hospital Hill Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
livinglovingrunner 
I would so much rather tackle monster hills at the beginning, rather than the end, of a race! But the swag, expo & food sound really good. 🙂
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Oh yes! The fun part about KC races is that some routes are a similar route, but the course is backwards! The KC marathon course in the fall is similar, but it takes the big Trinity hill at mile 3/4 rather than 12 😂😂
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Mile 3/4 is MUCH better than mile 12 in my book!
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