Hi, I’m Justin Peterson, owner of BodymetRx Kansas City and a passionate marathon runner. Running has been a transformative journey for me, helping me push my limits and connect with an incredible community of athletes. When I started training for marathons, I quickly realized the value of structured training, performance testing, and a strong support system. That’s why I launched BodymetRx—to help runners like you optimize performance, stay injury-free, and achieve your goals.
Whether you’re preparing for your first 5K, training for the Kansas City Marathon, or simply looking for a Kansas City running group to keep you motivated, this guide will cover everything you need to know about the KC running scene. From race calendars and training resources to running clubs, where to buy running gear, and fitness performance test locations, this is your one-stop resource for running in Kansas City!
Key Takeaways
- KC hosts numerous annual races for all experience levels. Favorite annual races include the Rock the Kansas City Marathon, The Hospital Hill Run, and Parkway Half Marathon & 5K. More below!
- Kansas City has a great selection of running trainers and physical therapists for runners who help with running injury recovery, like RoadRunners of Kansas City and KC Endurance.
- Fitness testing facilities like BodymetRx, owned by fellow long-distance runners, can help you understand your current cardiovascular health and body composition.
- Kansas City running and walking clubs, like the beloved Kansas City Running Club, provide motivation, camaraderie, and expert tips from seasoned runners and coaches.
- Running stores in Kansas City, like Fleet Feet and The Running Well Store offer professional shoe fittings, expert recommendations on gear, and training accessories.
- Athletic performance testing at BodymetRx KC helps runners fine-tune their training through VO2 max assessment, RMR testing, body composition analysis, 3D body scans, and more.
Kansas City Races: Annual Running Events
Popular Kansas City Races—KC Marathons, Half Marathons, 5K & Fun Runs
Kansas City has a vibrant running community with events happening all year round.
Here’s a list of some of the top Kansas City running events, including their usual dates and locations.
| Race Name | Month | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle of the Bean 5K | January | The Roasterie KC | battleofthebean5k.com |
| Donut Dash 5K | February | KC Live! Power & Light | donutdashkc.com |
| Liberty Hospital Half Marathon | March | Liberty, MO | libertyhospitalhalf.org |
| Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run | March | Westport KC | westportstpatricksdayrun.com |
| Rock the Parkway Half Marathon | April | Ward Parkway | rocktheparkway.com |
| Trolley Run (4 Mile Run) | April | Waldo to Plaza | trolleyrun.org |
| Run for the Roses 5K | May | Loose Park | runfortheroses5k.com |
| Girls on the Run 5K | May & November | Various locations | girlsontherunkc.org |
| Hospital Hill Run | June | Crown Center | hospitalhillrun.com |
| Stars and Stripes 5K | July | Overland Park | starsandstripes5k.com |
| Fourth of July Firecracker 5K | July | Parkville, MO | firecracker5k.com |
| Head for the Cure 5K | August | Corporate Woods, Overland Park | headforthecure.org |
| Night Flight 5K | August | Lee’s Summit | nightflight5k.com |
| Kansas City Zoo Run | September | Kansas City Zoo | kczoorun.org |
| Patriot Run 10K | September | Leavenworth, KS | patriotrun.com |
| Leawood Labor Day 5K | September | Leawood City Park | leawood5k.com |
| Kansas City Marathon | October | Downtown KC | sportkc.org/kcmarathon |
| Fright Night 5K | October | Independence, MO | frightnight5k.com |
| Race for Refuge 10K | October | Shawnee Mission Park | raceforrefuge.com |
| Gobble Trot 5K | November | Downtown KC | gobblerun.com |
| Great Santa Run | December | Crown Center | greatsantarunkc.com |
Where to Find MORE KC Races Online
To stay updated on race dates, locations, and registration details, check out these online resources.
Kansas City Running Club Race Calendar
The absolute best and most up-to-date list you’ll find for Kansas City race schedules and local running events, maintained by the Kansas City Running Club. Also check out their running club calendar for running meetups throughout the Kansas City Metro area. This organization is volunteer-run and amazing!
Kansas City Running Company Events
Another great local resource. They manage a ton of annual KC races and maintain this calendar well.
Ultrasignup Kansas City Events
This is a handy resource for finding endurance and trail running races near Kansas City. I like this one because a lot of the bigger national lists don’t include trail running races.
Race Calendar at Running in the USA
Nationwide race listings with a KC-specific section.
I enjoy the map feature on this online database of running events near KC. Cool to see a visual! And there are some search filters I like as well that help me find races that match my requirements.
KC Marathon Training & Running Coaches
Training for a marathon, half-marathon, or even a 5K requires careful planning, structured workouts, and expert guidance. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced runner looking to improve your PR, KC has excellent marathon training resources.
Here’s a list of the best Kansas City Personal Trainers for Runners:
RoadRunners of Kansas City
- About: Amy Parkerson-Mitchell is a certified running coach with extensive experience and a spotless reputation in the KC running community. Amy also offers physical therapy services at CoachAmyPT and has chops in kinesiology, biomechanics, physiology, and more.
- Who It’s For: Runners looking for expert coaching combined with physical therapy insights to improve performance and prevent injuries.
- Website: roadrunnerskc.com
- Instagram: roadrunnersofkansas
KC Endurance
- About: A dedicated indoor running studio led by running coaches Jeremy and Jessica Hammer. They offer studio memberships, one-on-one and group coaching, as well as online options. They also host periodic running retreats.
- Who It’s For: Runners of all experience levels looking for personalized coaching and scientifically-backed training programs.
- Website: kcendurance.com
- Instagram: kc_endurance
Team O Coaching
- About: Kevin O’Grattan has a Masters in athletic coaching and 16 years of experience as a running coach. He specializes in customized training for runners of all abilities, from beginners to competitive racers. Team O also hosts a youth track club for distance athletes ages 8-18.
- Who It’s For: As a Boston Marathon qualifier, Kevin is a great choice for both competitive runners who want structured, personalized training with a focus on technique and race preparation.
- Website: teamocoaching.com
RunningMate
- About: Nathan Carlson is a physical therapist, coach, and consultant focused on helping runners get healthy, build strength, and perform at their highest potential.
- Who It’s For: Runners recovering from injury or looking to integrate strength training into their routine. Nathan is, first and foremost, a physical therapist for runners.
- Website: runningmatekc.com
The Runner’s Edge KC
- About: Established in 1997, this group training program is led by seasoned runner, Coach Eladio Valdez.
- Who It’s For: Runners who want structured, worry-free runs and enjoy running in a group. Membership includes a “variety of fun, safe, and scenic well-marked courses with aid stations every 2 miles on Saturday mornings”.
- Website: runnersedgekc.com
KC Run Coach
- About: An RRCA-certified running coach, Kristina Craig, offering custom training plans for all levels, with remote and in-person coaching options.
- Who It’s For: Runners who want professional coaching with the flexibility of virtual or in-person guidance.
- Website: kcruncoach.com
- NOTE: As of March 2025, Kristina is no longer accepting coaching clients. But make sure to check the site to see current updates.
Running & Walking Clubs in Kansas City
Training with a group can provide the motivation, structure, and accountability needed to stay committed to your running goals.
Here are some top running and walking groups in Kansas City:
Kansas City Running Club
Hosts weekly group runs, coaching, and race events. They host running groups for all training levels, including beginning runners!
KC Express
A women’s running group focused on community and fitness. They have a few different groups for different needs, like long-distance.
CCS Running Club Waldo
A casual community running group that meets weekly on Wednesdays at KC Bier Co. in Waldo.
Fleet Feet Run Club
Thursday evening group 3-mile run that starts at 6:30 at the Fleet Feet Overland Park location.
The Running Well Store
They have Saturday morning runs and some other groups that meet regularly.
Jewish Community Center Running Club
Weekly adult run at 7 a.m. as well as a youth run (ages 10-17) at 8 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center fo Greater Kansas City. You must be a member.
816 Run Collective
Weekly Saturday morning group runs that start at 7:30am. They welcome all paces, all distances. EVERYONE is welcome.
Percheron Run Club
This group meets every Tuesday by Crossroads Hotel at 6:30pm for a 3 mile run.
Best Running Stores in Kansas City
Looking for the best running store in Kansas City? You’re in luck! Kansas City has some awesome running stores where you can find the right running shoes and gear. Whether you like to run cross-country or pound the pavement, these Kansas City running shops have great customer service that will help you find your perfect fit.
If you know of any local running shops we missed, please let us know!
Fleet Feet Overland Park
Website: https://www.fleetfeet.com/s/kansas
Address: 11908 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone: (913) 469-4090
Fleet Feet Ward Parkway
Website: https://thefootspot.com/
Address: 8600 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64114
Phone: (816) 363-4800
The Foot Spot Leawood
Address: 3626 W 95th St, Leawood, KS 66206
Phone: (913) 341-3668
Elite Feet KC
Website: https://www.elitefeetkc.com/
Address: 4837 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66209
Phone: (913) 498-3338
The Running Well Store Lee’s Summit
Website: https://therunningwellstore.com/
Address: 418 Rte 291, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Phone: (816) 600-2688
The Running Well Store Barry Road
Website: https://therunningwellstore.com/
Address: 6040 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154
Phone: (816) 741-8800
The Running Well Store Martin City
Website: https://therunningwellstore.com/
Address: 200 E 135th St, Kansas City, MO 64145
Phone: (816) 437-9839\
KC Running Company
Website: https://www.kcrunningcompany.com/
Address: 200 E 135th St, Kansas City, MO 64145
Phone: (816) 569-4508
Best Places to Run in Kansas City—Indoors & Outdoors
Kansas City offers a variety of excellent places to run, whether you prefer scenic trails, public running tracks, or indoor tracks for year-round training.
Here are some of the top places to run in Kansas City.
Outdoor Running Trails
A scenic, paved trail spanning 26 miles through Overland Park and Kansas City.
A downtown trail that runs along the Missouri River, offering skyline views.
Features both paved and dirt trails for runners looking for a mix of road and trail running.
Great for trail runners who enjoy running through wooded terrain.
A peaceful, shaded 8-mile paved path perfect for hot summer days.
A popular 6-mile crushed limestone trail great for soft-surface running.
Public Outdoor Running Tracks
Local Kansas City high school tracks are a great resource as long as you respect school hours and don’t disturb students. The below tracks are open to the public when school is not in session. Stick to early morning and evening runs and leave the track if students arrive.
Shawnee Mission East High School
7500 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Shawnee Mission South High School
10101 West 75th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66204
Shawnee Mission North High School
7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS 66202
Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
12701 West 67th Street, Shawnee, KS 66216
Center High School Track
8715 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO 64131
Indoor Running Tracks
Indoor tracks are super convenient when you want to escape winter weather and rain showers. These indoor running tracks require membership.
The J KC (Jewish Community Center)
Offers a climate-controlled, cushioned indoor running track.
Has an indoor running track with excellent amenities.
Features an elevated indoor track with a great view of the facility.
Several locations offer indoor tracks for year-round training. (Details)
Athletic Performance Testing in Kansas City
If you want to improve your running performance, optimize your training, and prevent injuries, athletic performance testing is a game-changer. At BodyMetRx KC, we offer a suite of cutting-edge tests that provide critical data to help you train smarter, not harder. Whether you’re a beginner looking to start off on the right foot or an elite athlete aiming for peak efficiency, understanding your body’s physiological responses can make all the difference.
How Can Athletic Performance Testing Benefit Runners?
- Enhance Endurance & Efficiency: A VO2 Max Test measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen, helping you set optimal pacing strategies, adjust your training zones, and improve overall endurance.
- Customize Nutrition Plans: A Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Test determines your daily caloric burn, ensuring you fuel properly for your training load without under- or over-eating.
- Optimize Strength & Recovery: Body Composition Analysis breaks down your fat-to-muscle ratio, allowing you to fine-tune your strength training and recovery efforts for better muscle efficiency and reduced injury risk.
- Track Physical Changes Over Time: A 3D Body Scan provides precise body measurements, making it easy to monitor muscle gains, fat loss, and posture improvements over time.
By combining these tests, runners can create a data-driven training plan that maximizes performance while minimizing the risk of overtraining and injury. The insights gained from athletic performance testing can help you fine-tune your workouts, adjust your nutrition, and ensure you’re on the most effective path toward your running goals.
To take your running to the next level, schedule your athletic performance test at BodymetRx KC today. We offer all of the medical-grade fitness tests above, plus convenient, cost-saving packages and memberships for athletes who want to track progress over time.