Kansas City · United States

Marathon races near Kansas City

4 races in 2026 next one in 72 days
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Race calendar

Upcoming Marathon races near Kansas City

SEP 4
12SEP
Run · road · Marathon
Donate Life Legacy Walk
Kansas City · 2 km away
12SEP
Run · trail · Marathon
Hawk Hundred
Lawrence · 68 km away
26SEP
Run · road · Marathon
Ultrapalooza
Osawatomie · 75 km away
26SEP
Run · road · Marathon
St. Joseph Marathon
St Joseph · 78 km away
Kansas City · 80 km
4 races mapped View on map →

Recurring Marathon races near Kansas City

Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly

Free State Trail Run
SUN OCT 11
The Free State Trail Run begins and ends within Clinton Lake State Park, located approximately 25 miles east of Topeka, near Lawrence and the University of Kansas. The series offers a half marathon, marathon, 40-mile race, and quarter marathon, all utilizing dirt trails instead of paved roads. The half marathon follows a single large loop on the Clinton Lake North Shore Trails. It commences on the white trail, known for its firmer surface, before transitioning to the blue trail. Participants will encounter rocks, roots, stream crossings, undulating hills, and potential mud following rainfall. The course winds past a campground, Swim Beach, Lands End, Clinton Lake, and sections of Lake Henry. Wildlife such as squirrels, snakes, deer, and ducks are frequently observed along the route, contributing to a feeling more akin to a rugged park run than a typical urban race.
I-35 Challenge
SAT OCT 17
Gobbler Grind Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
SUN NOV 22
The Gobbler Grind is a road race in Johnson County, Kansas, held annually on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Participants can choose from four distances: a marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K. The longer races begin earlier in the morning than the shorter ones. The marathon is one of Kansas' oldest, featured on the local running calendar for nearly 30 years. It is a Boston Qualifier and a 50 State Marathon Club certified race, attracting marathon collectors and local runners from Kansas and Missouri.
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About Marathon races in Kansas City

Kansas City Training Ground

Kansas City hosts 7 Marathon races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.

Locals run KC like a sampler platter: shaded parks, river paths, dirt, and hills. Jacob L. Jacob L. Loose Park has a 4-mile paved loop with rolling hills when you need easy laps. The Riverfront Heritage Trail connects the Riverfront, City Market, and historic West Bottoms, and it can stretch past 15 miles for long-run days. States Run Club meets Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Mill Creek Park in the Country Club Plaza. Kansas City Running Club brings free group runs every day and Wednesday night track sessions. The Trail Nerds keep the dirt crowd busy. Psycho Wyco Run Toto Run Trail Runs and KC Metro Mile Championship give the calendar real bite.

KC has urban mountain biking, paved paths, and gravel routes. Indian Creek Bike Trail gives quiet and easy riding over 23 miles. Gary Haller Trail runs mostly flat for 17 miles from Nelson Island to Olathe. Blue River Parkway Trail brings 15 miles of rocky trails and nice flow. Swope Park stacks 20 miles of loops when singletrack is the plan. The first route covers 2 km and climbs 384 m. The second route covers 6 km and climbs 737 m. The third route covers 8 km and climbs 1,441 m. Wild West Ride anchors the big-mile crowd with options from 14 miles to 100 miles.

April through June and September through early November are the money windows. Summer in Kansas City brings hot, humid days, and average temperatures often sit in the high 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit, around 30-33°C. Runners move intervals and Z2 work earlier when the pavement starts cooking. Cyclists chase base miles on Indian Creek Bike Trail, Gary Haller Trail, and gravel before the heat settles in. Winter in Kansas City runs cold, with average temperatures in the low 30s Fahrenheit, around 0-2°C, and occasional snow. Run clubs still thrive in Midwest winters, and riders keep the legs turning when paths and roads cooperate.