Next race
Saturday, 17 October 2026
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Rolling · 150 m gain
150 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Approximately 1,292 finishers
Course & terrain
The Kansas City Marathon is an urban road that starts and finishes at Frank A. Theis Park across from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The loop passes the Country Club Plaza, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Union Station, and the Westport district — the Plaza is on-course, not the start or finish. 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 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.
Rolling · 150 m gain — approx. 274 m above sea level
↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m
Registration
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/.
Getting there
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
25 km / 16 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Kansas City.
The New Hampshire Marathon draws approximately 230 finishers each October on a scenic road in Bristol, United States. Bristol's New Hampshire Marathon is one of New England's scenic fall races around Newfound Lake. The course circles Newfound Lake with peak-foliage views of the Lakes Region and surrounding mountains. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 3 October 2027
The Wineglass Marathon attracts approximately 1,816 finishers each October on a net-downhill point-to-point through New York's Finger Lakes wine country. The course descends from Bath to Corning along scenic country roads past vineyards, waterfalls, and autumn-coloured hardwood forests. October's peak foliage and the fast descent make it one of the Northeast's most popular destination marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 3 October 2027
The Lincoln Marathon draws approximately 1,052 finishers each May on an urban road in Lincoln, United States. It is Nebraska's premier marathon and a long-standing Boston-qualifier with a competitive Midwestern field each spring. The course passes the Capitol, the University of Nebraska campus, and tree-lined city boulevards through the Star City. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
The Omaha Marathon draws approximately 1,300 finishers each September on an urban road in Omaha, United States. Its downtown finish ties the race closely to Omaha's revived riverfront core. The route passes the Old Market, the Missouri River corridor, and broad streets with skyline views across the city. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 26 September 2027
The Des Moines Marathon attracts approximately 2,500 finishers each October through Iowa's capital on the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. The course passes the Iowa State Capitol with its golden dome, the East Village district, and Gray's Lake park on flat prairie terrain. October's crisp Midwest autumn makes it Iowa's largest road race.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026
The Williams Route 66 Marathon draws approximately 1,071 finishers each November on an urban road in Tulsa, United States. Oklahoma's largest standalone marathon celebrates historic Route 66 with a downtown festival atmosphere each November. The course tours Tulsa neighborhoods, the Arkansas River corridor, and iconic Route 66 landmarks on a rolling city loop. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 22 November 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
