FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL RACE INFORMATION
What day is the race?
2025 – Saturday, May 31
Does the race take place in Missouri, Kansas, or both? Where is the race located?
The race starts, takes place and finishes in the state of Missouri only.
Click here for travel information.
What distances are available?
Half Marathon: 13.1 miles
10K: 6.2 miles
5K: 3.1 miles
What amenities do I get for finishing?
All runners will receive a Hospital Hill Run branded participant shirt, finisher’s medal, FREE downloadable race photos, FREE food, beer and massages at the Finish Line Festival.
What were the top times for winners last year?
Click here for race results.
Is there an age requirement for the race?
Half Marathon participants are required to be at least 14 years of age to run.
There is no age requirement for the 10K or 5K.
Are walkers allowed?
We do not have a separate category for walkers, but many people do walk the half marathon, 10K and 5K. Walkers must be aware of the 4 hour time limit and must maintain at least a 14 minute per mile pace.
What other things are there to do in Kansas City over race weekend?
Our friends at Visit KC have a full list of things you can do when visiting Kansas City! Call 816-691-3800, go to www.VisitKC.com or stop by the Visit KC Visitor Information Center at 1111 Main St Suite 180, Kansas City, MO 64106.
REGISTRATION
How do I sign up for the Hospital Hill Run?
Click here to sign up for all categories of the Hospital Hill Run.
When does registration close?
Online registration will close at 8pm on the Friday before the race (May 30). There is NO race day registration.
Do you allow refunds?
Registration fees are non-refundable in all cases regardless of inability to participate or event cancellation. The race director reserves the right to cancel the event because of weather, natural disaster or other unforeseen circumstances which pose a significant danger to the participants.
Can I change race distances?
Yes, you may change your race at any time while registration is open. Click here for instructions on how to make the change. After online registration is closed, any changes will need to be made at packet pickup. NO CHANGES WILL BE ALLOWED ON RACE DAY.
Do you allow transfers from one person to another?
To transfer your registration, follow these steps. All transfers MUST be completed prior to packet pickup.
How do I edit my registration?
Begin by logging into your RunSignUp account.
Click the circular icon with the headshot in the upper right corner of the screen & select “Profile”
Locate Hospital Hill Run under Upcoming Events on the next page, select “Manage Registration” to the right of the event.
From the next page, you can make several selections to edit your registration:
My Registration: you can resend your confirmation email.
Participant Info: you can edit select personal information if needed.
Questions: if you need to change your response to a previously answered question.
Add-Ons: if you want to purchase an add-on that was available during registration.
Fundraiser: if you want to become a fundraiser, you can initiate it here.
Group/Team: you can join an existing group or create a new group.
NOTE: In order to protect our participants and ensure a safe event, each individual participating must be officially registered under his or her own name with accurate personal information. Failure to do so will void the registration and prohibit participation. Registration entries and race numbers cannot be transferred to another person once registration is closed under any circumstances or be used by registrant in subsequent years.
COURSE
Where does the race start? Where does it end?
All of the distances start and finish on Grand Boulevard at Crown Center.
Is the course USATF certified?
Yes, all 3 courses are USATF Certified:
What is the distance between aid stations?
Aid stations are approximately 1.5 – 2 miles apart throughout the course.
What will be available at the aid stations?
Each aid station will have water and Powerade and a basic first aid kit with Band-Aids, Vaseline, etc.
Select aid stations will have fruit along with a power supplement for the half marathon participants.
Energy gel will be available at select aid stations on the half marathon course only.
No oral medication will be available at any aid station. Aid stations will NOT be equipped with Tylenol, Advil, allergy medicine, etc.
Is there a time limit for the event?
Yes, there is a 4 hour time limit for the course.
Can I run with headphones?
While the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation along with the Hospital Hill Run discourages the use of iPods and headphones, we do not impose a ban on wearing such devices.
Can I push a stroller?
Strollers and baby carriers of any kind are NOT allowed in any of the events for the race. With the increased number of participants, the safety of all participants is a priority. In addition to strollers, any wheeled vehicle or mode of transportation is not allowed on the course including but not limited to bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, scooters, and hover boards.
Can I run with my dog?
Animals are NOT allowed on the course unless they are assisting visually impaired participants.
PACKET PICKUP
When and where is Packet Pickup?
Click here for information about Packet Pickup.
Will parking be available at Packet Pickup?
Parking is FREE during Packet Pickup for all participants in the Crown Center parking garage.
Is the bag I receive my items in at Packet Pickup also my Gear Check bag?
Yes! The clear bag you receive your items in at Packet Pickup IS your Gear Check bag. This is the only bag that will be accepted into Gear Check on race day, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Is there race day packet pickup?
There is no race day packet pickup unless pre-purchased during registration. All runners who do not purchase the “Race Day Packet Pickup” option during registration MUST pick up their race packet at the Packet Pickup on May 30, NO EXCEPTIONS.
How do I add the “Race Day Packet Pickup” option to an existing registration?
The deadline to add the “Race Packet Mailing” option to an existing registration is two weeks before race day:
Begin by logging into your RunSignUp account.
Click the circular icon with the headshot in the upper right corner of the screen & select “Profile”
Locate “Hospital Hill Run” under Upcoming Events on the next page, select “Manage Registration” to the right of the event.
From the next page, select to edit your registration Add-Ons and add “Race Packet Mailing”
Can someone else pickup my packet?
If you are unable to pick up your packet in person, someone may retrieve it on your behalf. Your designated pickup person just needs their photo ID and your registration confirmation number at the time of packet pickup.
RACE DAY
What time does the race start?
6:55 am – Wheelchair start for the Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. Wheelchair athletes will line up in front and begin the race 5 minutes prior to runners.
7:00 am – Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K
Are hydration packs/backpacks allowed?
Yes, personal hydration packs or backpacks are allowed during the race.
Do you have a Gear Check area?
Yes! The clear bag you receive your items in at Packet Pickup IS your Gear Check bag. This is the only bag that will be accepted into Gear Check on race day, NO EXCEPTIONS. Gear Check will be located in Crown Center Square near Panera and participants may drop their gear prior to the race and retrieve it from the same location after the race.
Who takes the on-course and finisher pictures and how can I get them?
Race photos are provided by John Kelly Photos and will be available approximately 48 hours after the race. Race photos can be found here.
RESULTS & AWARDS
Where will Results be posted and finalized?
All results will be finalized the Wednesday following the race (June 4). Results can be found here.
Do you give out monetary prizes?
NO cash prizes are offered.
PARKING
Where can I park on race day?
Click here to view parking information.
PACE TEAMS
Are there pace teams?
Yes, pace teams are available. The pace team service is complimentary. Stop by the pacer booth at Packet Pickup to meet the pacers and pick up your complimentary pace band. On race morning, look for your pace team sign and line up accordingly.
MEDICAL
Will there be a medical tent?
Yes, a medical tent will be onsite at the finish line to assist all participants.
What is available at each aid station?
Aid stations will be placed approximately 1.5 – 2 miles apart throughout the course.
Each aid station will have water and Powerade and a basic first aid kit with Band-Aids, Vaseline, etc.
Select aid stations will have fruit along with a power supplement for the half marathon participants.
Energy gel will be available at select aid stations on the half marathon course only.
No oral medication will be available at any aid station. Aid stations will NOT be equipped with Tylenol, Advil, allergy medicine, etc.
VIRTUAL RACE
What is a virtual race?
A virtual race is a race that can be run (or walked) from any location you choose. You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself. Best of all, your participant shirt and finisher medal will be shipped directly to you! Register for the Hospital Hill Run virtual 5K, 10K or Half Marathon today!
Do I need to go to Packet Pickup?
Virtual participants DO NOT need to come to Crown Center Square to pick up their packets. We will be mailing the virtual runners all their items.
When will I receive my participant items?
We will begin mail out the participant items to our virtual runners the week following the race.
Are there awards?
No overall or age group awards will be distributed to virtual participants.
Is there a specific app I need to utilize to time my run?
No, use your app of choice.
If you need additional support before, during or after the race, or have a question that is not answered in the FAQ, please contact info@sportkc.org.