Rock The Parkway Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, April 6, 2024 • Kansas City, MO • Course Map

Set for its 13th annual running along roughly a five-mile stretch of Kansas City’s scenic Ward Parkway, whose wide landscaped median is filled with fountains and statues, this race features mostly gentle, rolling hills throughout its 13.1 miles, which start and finish at the offices of the local company Burns & McDonnell.

From the start and finish line area at the high school, runners follow this out-and-back loop course first southward along the parkway, and then turn on the road that crosses over Brush Creek and start heading north along Ward Parkway, following the parkway as it winds its way north for the next two miles.

The stretch between the start and the mile 2 marker features the race’s steepest uphill stretch, after which the course largely evens out and features only moderate hills for most of the rest of the course.

At West 83rd Street, runners turn right and head over two blocks to the Ward Parkway Plaza, which they follow as it progresses northward and meets back up with the Ward Parkway.

Runners remain on the parkway for the next three miles, passing by some of the city’s most beautiful stately homes and gardens, and passing by fountains, churches and parks along the way.

The course then makes another turn shortly after passing the mile 5 marker and heads onto West 57th Terrace, which takes runners into the loop turnaround portion of the race. The race route then makes its way along Belleview, Summit Street and West 52nd Street, and then make a loop around Kansas City’s Jacob Loose Park.

The course then turns onto Sunset Way, which brings runners back around to the Ward Parkway, which they follow along the western side of the parkway all the way back to the finish line at the high school.

More than 5,500 runners crossed the finish line in both races combined at the event’s 2016 running, including more than 4,200 finishers in the half marathon alone.

Race Weather & Climate

Located along the western border of Missouri in the central part of the state, right across the state line from Overland Park, Kan., Kansas City typically experiences cool to mild weather in early April, with early morning temperatures cooler than the rest of the day.

  • April 6 average low temp: 47ºF
  • April 6 average high temp: 62ºF

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Rock The Parkway Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

  • 7:30 AM – half marathon
  • 7:50 AM – 5K

Fees

  • $85 and up – half marathon
  • $36 and up – 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of Kansas City’s Rock the Parkway Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

www.rocktheparkway.com

Comments

Ever run in the Rock the Parkway Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: Missouri

1 comment… add one
  • Tori Mikels April 15, 2018, 8:31 am

    Ran the Rock the Parkway yesterday 4/14/18. Where are the results?

    Reply

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