Gobbler Grind Marathon

Looking for a great fall race? Look no further than the Annual Gobbler Grind! This race features three great distances (5K, Half Marathon, and Marathon) to fit within your training schedule and get you ready for the feast of all feasts -Thanksgiving! A semi-flat easy route for Boston Qualifier and a USATF certified course. See printable course maps for certification.As its name suggests, the city of Overland Park is home to a multitude of city parks and recreation areas, and the Gobbler Grind Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K makes great use of the city’s natural assets, with a course that runs through tree-lined parks, bicycle trails and wooded suburban streets.A run-up to the Thanksgiving holiday, the race gives runners a chance to enjoy this northeastern Kansas town’s fall colors through wooded areas, across creek bridges and through neighborhoods.The race got its start years ago as a post-Thanksgiving running outing among a group of local residents who wanted to get in a run and work off some holiday pounds. As the group of runners coming out for the race grew over the years, the organizers decided to make it an official race in 1995.

Featuring a combination of paved city streets around Overland Park’s Corporate Woods area and along stretches of the city’s Indian Creek Bike Trail, the Gobbler Grind Half Marathon takes runners on an out-and-back course that’s largely fast and flat, with the exception of a series of hills in the middle portion of the race. Runners start and finish the race in Corporate Woods North Park, and run all the way south to West 127th Street before making it back to the park for the race finish.

Parking is available in the adjacent parking lots at corporate woods.

Will be located approximately every 2-3 miles along the route and will have water and sports drink at each location. GU and snacks will be provided for marathon runners.

All participants will receive a finisher medal in each distance. To celebrate our 20th year of Gobbler Grind, marathon participants will also receive a finisher fleece blanket! Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers overall, as well as to the top three finishers in the following age groups: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+

Chip Timing: The races will be timed using bib timing chip technology.

There is a 6 hour time limit. During that time the course is closed to traffic and the aid stations are available. The police, however may open sections of the course to let vehicles cross when there are large gaps in the participants. Participants must maintain at least a 14 minute per mile pace to make the course deadline. Participants in the marathon that do not maintain the 14 minute pace per mile will be asked to turn onto the ½ marathon course at the course split.