Breaking News: Runners Gear Up for the Exciting Garmin Kansas City Marathon 2023

Are you ready for a thrilling race experience? The Garmin Kansas City Marathon is back and better than ever, with exciting new additions and improvements to make this year’s event unforgettable. As the largest fundraiser for the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation, this marathon is not just about running—it’s about supporting a fantastic cause and bringing premier sporting events to our town.

Feedback from runners is valuable, and as soon as the surveys from last year’s marathon started trickling in, the organizing team of the 2023 Garmin Kansas City Marathon began their work. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants love the date and the course, which starts and finishes in front of the iconic Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This year, the focus is on fine-tuning the experience to bring registration numbers back to pre-pandemic levels.

To keep things fresh and exciting, the team is enhancing the pre- and post-race experiences. Race director, Dave Borchardt, reveals some of the top priorities for this year’s marathon. “The big finish-line festival in Tice Park is back. We’ll have Jack Stack barbecue, Boulevard beer, and live music,” he said. “This is also the 100-year anniversary of Russell Stover, and they’ll be giving out a free finisher chocolate. We’ll also have fireworks at the start of the race, down toward the Plaza, to create that memorable moment.”

As registrations continue to flow in, Borchardt anticipates a final count of around 7,000-7,500 runners across all races—the 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon. This is a significant improvement compared to last year’s 6,500 participants. But it’s not just about the numbers; the team is determined to provide an exceptional gift bag for those taking part in the longer races. This year, runners will receive running gloves as part of their race pack.

The course has been carefully planned out, and now the focus is on fine-tuning the little things to ensure the race exceeds everyone’s expectations. Borchardt explains, “We’ve got the course in a pretty good spot, and we’re fine-tuning the little things to make the race as good as possible.”

It’s not just about the race, though—it’s about supporting the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. This non-profit organization has been instrumental in bringing remarkable sporting events to our city, such as the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, 2026 World Cup, and Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. By participating in the Garmin Kansas City Marathon, runners contribute to the growth of sports in our community.

Runners of all levels will be challenging themselves on Saturday, and race director, Dave Borchardt, couldn’t be more excited. He shares his favorite moments, saying, “There’s a nervous energy in the hour leading up to the race. Runners are walking around, stretching. We try to think through the pre-race experience in terms of pump-up music, the national anthem, fireworks, and the opening horn. The finish-line experience is great. Even if it’s just a 5K, they’re finishing a goal. Or maybe they have a new personal best (or) qualified for the Boston Marathon. That’s my favorite thing on race day.”

The festivities kick off on Thursday and Friday with the two-day Health and Fitness Expo presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City at Union Station. Runners can meet Garmin-sponsored athletes and Olympians Courtney Frerichs and Cory McGee, who will be signing autographs at Union Station on Friday from 12:30-1 p.m. Half-marathon participants will also have the chance to run with Frerichs, as she’ll be pacing the 1 hour, 30-minute group.

The exciting competition starts on Saturday morning at 7 a.m. with the full and half-marathons, followed by the 10K at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K at 7:45 a.m. This is an opportunity for runners from all around the Midwest to challenge themselves and be a part of the premier event on the Kansas City running calendar.

As the 2023 Garmin Kansas City Marathon comes to a close, the organizers are already looking ahead to next year. But before they begin planning for 2024, they want to make sure that runners from around the region have the opportunity to experience this incredible race first.

So mark your calendars and get ready for an amazing marathon experience. The Garmin Kansas City Marathon 2023 is here, and it’s time to lace up your running shoes, push your limits, and create unforgettable memories. We’ll see you at the finish line!