Kansas City, Missouri, United States
The Kansas City Marathon attracts approximately 1,292 finishers each October through the City of Fountains on the Missouri-Kansas border. The course passes the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and the Kansas City skyline on rolling Great Plains terrain. October's mild Midwest autumn and the fountain-dotted boulevards make it the heartland's charming fall marathon.
Kansas City Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Kansas City Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 25 October 2026 with a 7:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 150 m of climbing on a rolling with moderate climbs layout.
The Kansas City Marathon is an urban road that starts and finishes at the Country Club Plaza or Crown Center. The loop passes the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Plaza fountains, and the Westport district. Flatter corridors and river valleys offer the easiest miles, while the moderate climbs through hills, bridges, or bluffs are the tougher sections once fatigue builds. Spectators gather at the start-finish festival and at organised cheer zones through the city centre and along the main boulevards.
The Kansas City Marathon course is rolling with moderate climbs over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
For the Kansas City Marathon, the race starts and finishes at the Country Club Plaza or Crown Center area. Maps at https://www.kansascitymarathon.com/.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
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