Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Kansas City 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!

I am super excited to be able to run the KC full marathon this year! The half course holds my half marathon PR from 2015 and I was able to pace some incredible runners to the finish in last years half marathon.

This year, there are a lot of exciting changes and opportunities at this years race! 

For this week’s Friday Five, I am covering a few recent developments happening for this years race! You can check out my first preview of the KCM for more details about the weekend!

Kansas City Marathon – Running The KC Hills

new course

One thing that is great about KC is that you run the same streets race after race – so you know what to expect!

This year, the KCM re-routed their courses – let’s mix things up a bit! The new course is said to be faster with the major hills in the first half of the race – but with Trinity Hill in the last miles, you will still need your legs in those final miles!

The course start will be similar to years past, with runners heading north on Grand Blvd towards downtown Kansas City. The main attractions along this years course are : 

• The Sprint Center
• Kansas City Power & Light District
• Kansas City, MO City Hall & Jackson County Courthouse
• 18th & Vine Jazz District
• Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy
• Negro Leagues Baseball museum
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Waldo District
• Ward Pkwy
• A section of the Rock the Parkway course
• The Country Club Plaza
• Kansas City’s historic Westport neighborhood
• The Uptown Theater
• Trinity Hill
• National World War I Museum and Memorial
• Kansas City’s iconic Union Station 

While there are a couple areas that the previous course went through (the Liberty Memorial), the new course will add some new areas for runners to see!

With so many great places to see, the miles are sure to click by!

new location for Health and Fitness Expo – Union Station

While I am a big fan of the large runner’s expos at Crown Center, it does get a little old year after year! There is only so many changes you can do in one event space to make the next race a little more special.

So what does the directors of the KCM do? They move the expo to a new location!

Union Station is a Kansas City architectural landmark and houses many historical features and shops! The train station is still used to this day for the Amtrak -o taking passengers across the country!

Here are a few of the exhibits that will be available to see the weekend of KCM :

Demo Area – Daily Science Activities
Science fun at Science City – demonstrations and activities all week long!

Bank of America Gallery – MUMMIES OF THE WORLD: THE EXHIBITION
Real mummies. Real science. Real people. 

Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre – DREAM BIG: ENGINEERING OUR WORLD 3D
Narrated by Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges

Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre – MUMMIES: SECRETS OF THE PHARAOHS 3D
Rediscover the tombs of the great pharaohs of Egypt.

Sky Bike – SKY BIKE RIDES
Ride a bike 30 feet above the ground.

Science on a Sphere – SCIENCE ON A SPHERE EDUCATOR SHOWS
Stunning visual perspective of Earth and other objects in our solar system

VIP Space at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center

I have not ever experienced a VIP area at a race, but I have been that person that looks into the area…

While I have not personally experienced it, the VIP experience for the KCM sounds pretty nice!

• Private indoor VIP space to relax in before and after the race with plenty of room to stretch
• VIP gear check
• Private restrooms reserved only for VIP participants
• Complimentary pre-race food and drinks including water, coffee, Powerade, assorted breads, bagels and bananas
• Reserved parking near the start/finish area
• Fun photo backdrops
• Post race massages

While most of these amenities will be available for the rest of the KCM participants outside of the VIP area, you will surely spend less time stressing before and after the race! You can add the VIP experience to your registration online or add it to an existing registration. 

training plans

I work with the Runners Edge Smart Pacing team as a pacer for events in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and even Colorado. Since I am running this race with BibRave as a Pro, I will not be able to pace. 

But on a major positive, my Runner’s Edge coach has set up training plans for all race participants!! Major bonus!!

You can check out the 12 and 16 week plans here. Whether you are a first-timer or looking for your next PR, these plans are sure to help you conquer those KC hills!

Thanks Coach Eladio! I will be taking advantage of the second half of one of these plans for my KC marathon experience!

volunteer opportunities + giveaways

If you are unable to run and race, you can always volunteer!!

There is nothing more reqarding that being a volunteer at a race! I had the chance to volunteer at Hospital Hill this June and it was a great experience! There are many, many ways to volunteer at this years KCM!

• course monitors – Once course monitors fulfill their shift, they will be entered to win travel vouchers from Southwest Airlines! Talk about perks!
• gear check
• packet pickup and registration
• green team
• finish line area
  • mylar blanket setup and distribution
  • finish line food and water
  • finish timing
  • finish line festival food
  • finish line clean up

In addition to the standard volunteer tee shirt, you will also be entered for some amazing prizes and free food and drinks at the Finish Line Festival.

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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 those Kansas City hills with me!!

Use the code “BIBRAVE17” at checkout for 15% off your online registration for the Kansas City Marathon events. With the next price increase coming up May 1st, I urge you to register today and save a little cash!! Use that savings at the Health and Fitness Expo 🙂

More questions? Check the KCM website for more questions and answers for this great event! Also, check out this great video from the 2016 KCM weekend!

To stay in the know, be sure to “Like” the Kansas City Marathon on Facebook, follow @KCMarathon on Twitter, and follow KCMarathon on Instagram! Get connected and add #RunKCM to all your posts and share your training and journey to the finish line!

Tweet: Come run the #KCM this fall!! Use BIBRAVE17 for 15% off online registration!! #bibchat https://ctt.ec/78cW1+

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Do you have any races that you run year to year?

Have you used pacers with success in the past?

I am linking up with the Friday Five 2.0 today and the Tuesdays On The Run gals next week 🙂 

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and start a conversation!

More Ways to connect with Lindsey from LivingLovingRunner :

Facebook > @livinglovingrunner
Instagram > @livinglovingrunner
Twitter > @livinglovingrun
Pinterest > @livinglovingrun
Bloglovin’ > @livinglovingrunner

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Kansas City 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!