(started with 10k). June 6, 2015. Cloudy, humid, rain on the radar. 70 ish degrees. 7 am.

Pre-Race: Announcements and music were made over a loud speaker, however not so easy to hear. There were plenty of por-o-potties with hand washing stations. Parking available for free in nearby ramps. Participants encouraged to get into corrals based on pace. Signs were posted with estimated pace. Pacers were in those corrals. The National Anthem was performed live, but I could not see a flag. Then the race began.

Race / Course: The race starts and finishes at the Crown Center, course is on city streets through Kansas City.
-paved, asphalt, minor potholes and cracks; surface slippery when wet
-lots of hydration stops. Water and lemon lime Gatorade. Most stops were in separate cups, volunteers -shouted what they had. paper cups
-Each mile was marked, pavement was marked with spray paint
-volunteers at most every intersection, law enforcement at busy intersections
-Photographers on course – available free after race
-a few spectators, DJ, drumline
-no food or gel on course, spectators with oranges and candy
-hilly, the name Hospital Hill shouldn’t fool you, there is more than one hill
-roads were closed to traffic

Post Race / Finish: The finish was marked with timing mat, arch and clock. Once across the line a volunteer handed you a medal and a wet sponge. Then you walked the long chute and could gather a banana, Gatorade, water bottle, propel, granola bar, beef stick, ice cream sandwich or peanut butter cracker sandwich. This area could get crowded if people didn’t move along. To redeem the tag for the flip flops it was a small walk the plaza, where there was also coffee.

Up the stairs under the tent was the post race pancakes with sausage and Tang. The massage tent was set up.

Overall: This was the 42nd year for the event, no complaints as the race is organized well. The hills make it a great challenge and it is comparable in price with similar races.

Check out my blog for more photos and my personal recap https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/hospital-hill-2015/