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Latest reviews by Vanessa
Vanessa recommends this race
(2015)
"Flat and fast course, great neighborhood race, delicious post-race food"
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This has to be my 6th year participating in the Edison Park Turkey Trot and once again, they did not disappoint. It's a local race, but still has a very strong turnout as many families make it a Thanksgiving tradition.
Packet: You'll receive some coupons, long sleeve shirt and a bib. To keep the prices low, the race isn't chip timed, so it's best to bring your own watch if you're concerned with exact time. The long sleeve is nothing special, just cotton, not a dry-fit. It didn't bug me since I'd rather pay less for a race then more for a shirt. Can't complain much when the entry feee is only $20, very rare to find in the Chicago area.
Course: Nice, flat course that takes you through Edison Park's main street (Northwest Highway) and then loops through the more residential area. I've been at races where locals aren't happy with a race on their streets, but the EP Turkey Trot committee does a good job of encouraging locals to come out and cheer by awarding the "best cheering house on the block". Come to think of it, I can't think of any 5k I've ever been to with that much crowd support!
Aid stations and post-race celebration: I don't recall any aid stations on the course, but there is plenty of water and refreshments at the finish. The EP Turkey Trot has the best spread of snacks compared to any 5k I've been too. The local bakeries donate tons of sweet goods, it's hard to hold off and pace yourself for the turkey and pumpkin pie later that night. There's usually always a big coffee and hot cocoa truck too.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a low-cost, no-frills fun turkey trot the morning of Thanksgiving!
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Vanessa recommends this race
(2015)
"5k and then some"
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Hilly course, and this was just the 5k! Parking wasn't too much of an issue for me, but I would advise people to show up early and park in the Crossroads District, west of Broadway to avoid trouble getting out due to street closures. Drove over to mile 13 of the marathon to help pace my friend after to the finish. Crowd support is very low and the course is challenging. I think for my first marathon I'd run a flatter, easier one like Chicago or Grandma's. Thought the race was put together great, it just wouldn't be my first pick for a first marathon.
Vanessa recommends this race
(2015)
"Awesome, local race"
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Relatively new to Kansas City, so it was awesome to se all the running clubs show up at this race for some friendly competition. Probably the best sponsors I've seen at a 5k which included free beer from Rock and Run Brewery, smoothies from Smoothie King and bratwursts. Tech shirts were nice and the race cost was reasonable. For it being the first time of the race, it had a pretty solid turnout of about 100-150. Great prizes as well. Definitely will run again next year!
Vanessa recommends this race
(2015)
"Some hills, good support...finisher's medal the size of a plate"
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Rock The Parkway was my first half-marathon in a few years and it was definitely a tough one to break yourself into. Most races in Kansas City are pretty hilly, and RTP is no different. I was hoping to finish in 1:25...but a lack of base mileage from this winter had me hurting and hitting the wall at mile 10. I ended up finishing around 1:28, about 3 minutes off my time 3 years ago at the Rock 'N Roll New Orleans half marathon.
The crowd support was pretty good and many of the residents along Ward Parkway came out to cheer. The medal was huge...excessively huge. I'm talking the size of a tea cup saucer. In my opinion, I would have done away with such a large medal if that meant a cold Boulevard beer after the race at the post-race party. The women's tech shirt had an awkward fit to it, but I'm usually a fan of just getting the smallest size in unisex shirts at races.
Still, I would definitely recommend this race to anyone wanting a bit of a challenge. It's the first 'big race' in the area that sort of kicks off the KC racing season before Trolley Race, Plaza 10k and KC Marathon.
Vanessa recommends this race
(2015)
"Race route mix-up, good pie, fun atmosphere"
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Tough course, super hilly around Westport. This year the course was changed, but the officer leading the race must not have known and took a wrong turn, so it ended up being about .2 over...which is .2 too much on those hills! The pie at the end was a great touch, but a St.Patrick's day beer would have been nice too :). Lots of awards for overall and age groups, so be sure to stick around if you think you placed! Despite the error in the route, I would still do it again and plan on running it in 2016.