Sunrise Marathon 5K/10K/13.1 KANSAS CITY

About the Event

The Sunrise Marathon 5K/10K/13.1 KANSAS CITY is a boutique athletic event held at Mill Creek Park in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. Scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, this run offers a scenic experience through the historic Country Club Plaza area. Organized by The Best Races, the event focuses on a low-pressure, "stress-free" environment, utilizing small, private waves starting as early as 7:30 AM CDT. The race welcomes all ages and paces, and for every mile logged by participants after the race, the organizers donate $1 to designated charities.

Event Details and Format

The race is designed to be highly accessible with no mandatory packet pickup; all swag is shipped directly to participants. While the run is timed, it is "stress-free," meaning there are no timing chips—participants can self-track or ask on-site coordinators for assistance.

Category	Distance	Wave Times	Inclusions
Half Marathon	21.1 km	Wave A: 7:30 AM	Medal, Shirt, Towel
10K Run	10.0 km	Wave B: 8:00 AM	Medal, Shirt, Towel
5K Run	5.0 km	Wave C: 8:30 AM	Medal, Shirt, Towel
Virtual Run	Flexible	Flexible	Training Pack, Medal

Regional and Demographic Overview

Kansas City, Missouri, is a major metropolitan hub with a population of approximately 510,000 residents. It is known for its rich jazz history, signature barbecue, and a robust sports culture. Demographically, the city is approximately 55% White, 26% Black or African American, 10% Hispanic or Latino, and 3% Asian. The median household income is roughly $60,000, and the city is a center for the federal government, healthcare, and engineering sectors.

The local culture is defined by Midwestern hospitality and a revitalized urban core. Mill Creek Park, located just north of the famous Country Club Plaza, serves as a gateway to some of the city's most iconic fountains and Spanish-inspired architecture. For Kansas City residents, outdoor recreation often centers around the city's extensive boulevard system and its many urban parks. This race taps into that local pride, offering a quiet, scenic start to the weekend in one of the city's most visually stunning districts.

Participant Experience

The experience is tailored for those who prefer the camaraderie of a group run without the intimidation of a large-scale race. Participants receive their bibs on race day, and their technical shirts are delivered by mail prior to the event. The course through Mill Creek Park provides wide paths and gentle slopes, making it ideal for both runners and walkers. By 7:30 AM on May 2nd, the park will host a small, focused group of athletes beginning their journey against the backdrop of the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain and the rising Missouri sun.

Races Offered

10K Registration

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 10km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$47.26

5K Registration

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$41.89

Family 1 Mile Fun Run

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 1mi

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$39.74

Half-Marathon 13.1 Registration

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 21km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$50.48

Virtual Run Registration

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$41.89

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Kansas City.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 13.9° / 25.1°

wb_sunny 12.4° / 23.8°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 10.8 /

water_drop 67.1%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 13.9° / 25.1°

wb_sunny 12.4° / 23.8°

air 10.8 km/h

water_drop 67.1%

About Kansas City

Learn more about the host city, Kansas City.

Kansas City is a major Midwestern metropolitan area that spreads across the border of Missouri and Kansas. It is a city that tends to hide itself from tourists. Reputed to have more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world except for Rome, it can be a beautiful city, too. It is unique in that it is split down the middle by the state line of Kansas and Missouri.