As Excelsior Springs’ only 5K race, we are committed to providing a uniquely local event that reflects our community’s heritage. We’ve moved the starting line to Broadway Avenue, in front of the historic Hall of Waters (which inspires the artwork of our 5K medals). Other Trails Coffee & Goods, located next to the Hall of Waters, is the corporate sponsor of the Tortoise & Hare. Thanks to their generous support in underwriting the costs of the event, every dollar raised through registration fees will go directly to benefit The Good Samaritan Center in our mission to alleviate hunger and homelessness in our community. Be sure to say thanks when you stop by their cozy coffee shop in downtown Excelsior Springs for a coffee drink, tea, or one of their yummy baked goods.

Packet pick-up and late registration will be held at Other Trails on Friday evening and Saturday morning before the race, on April 12 and 13.

Runners and walkers will gather on Broadway in front of the Hall of Waters. When the air horn blasts at 8 a.m., some will race along a scenic 5K course that includes chip timing and prizes for the winners. Some will stroll more casually and enjoy a two-mile walk. And the kids will take off on their own fun run to earn their own special prize.

Visit Other Trails Coffee & Goods

BRAND NEW COURSE!

We have a brand new out-and-back course this year, which runs down Broadway Avenue, turning onto the road behind Piburn Field, then following the asphalt trail in Fishing River Linear Park (which parallels Fishing River) to Golf Hill Drive. At this point, the runners and the walkers will go their separate ways. Runners will race uphill on Golf Hill Drive (less than a half-mile run to the top, though it may feel like more!) and do a loop through the scenic neighborhood beside the golf course before returning down the hill they way they came. Walkers will leave the asphalt trail to walk down Lover’s Lane, then take the sidewalk to Marietta Street back to Broadway Avenue. Both runners and walkers alike will pass the historic Superior Well while on the trail through Fishing River Linear Park. The two-mile walking course is suitable for strollers, as well.

Aramark, the Excelsior Springs School District’s food service company, will provide finish line food for all the 5K runners.

Beyond the race and running, this year’s Tortoise & Hare will feature:

NEW & ARTISTIC SHIRTS!

We’ve totally redesigned the shirts for this year’s event. Every participant (in each event) will receive a high-quality shirt. (Registration deadline to receive shirts is March 29, 2024.) PLEASE NOTE: When you register, you will be asked to select a t-shirt size. Please be aware that women’s sizes may be smaller than the unisex sizes.

UNIQUE MEDALS!

Our medals are sure to become collector’s items each year! Every participant in the chip-timed 5K event will receive a unique medal that incorporates the design elements found in the historic Hall of Waters. The site of the first mineral water spring discovered in Excelsior Springs in the 1880s, the Hall of Waters features the world’s longest water bar inside a two-story solarium, where the famed waters from the city’s ten main springs were piped to be served to visitors from around the world.

The Hall of Waters features Art Deco style architecture with motifs of Mayan tradition. Our 5K medals reflect these design elements and are sure to become collectors items each year. This year’s medal design will be unveiled soon! Learn more about the historic Hall of Waters at The City of Excelsior Springs and Visit Excelsior Springs.

We are grateful to ReeceNichols Realtors Excelsior Springs for sponsoring this year’s medals. Thanks to the support of our sponsors, 100 percent of the operating costs of the Tortoise & Hare have been subsidized. That means every dollar of your race registration will directly support the work of the Good Samaritan Center in our community.

PRIZES!

First-place overall finishers in the men’s and women’s divisions of the 5K race will each receive a $100 gift card from our longtime sponsor, The Running Well Store. A $20 gift card from our longtime sponsor Dubious Claims Brewing Company will be awarded to the first place finisher in both men’s and women’s age group categories.

New this year! The runner who finishes the 5K race exactly in “The Middle of the Pack” will earn a $20 gift card and mug from Other Trails Coffee & Goods.

STUDENT RATE of only $15 (half-price) is available for those 18 and under (just enter the coupon code STUDENT).

HOT CHOCOLATE FUN RUN

After the 5K run and walk gets started, there will be a short fun run for the kids. Every participant in the Kids Hot Chocolate Fun Run will receive a coupon for a free hot chocolate drink at Other Trails. (Registration fee for the fun run is automatically set at $15, no need to enter the coupon code.)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Be sure to register before March 29, 2024, to guarantee a shirt (for all participants) and medal (for 5K participants). Late registrations after March 29 won’t be guaranteed to receive either a shirt or medal.

HAVE MORE FUN WITH A TEAM of your best friends or co-workers! Create a team of five, and each participant will receive a $6 discount (only $24 -- like signing up 4 and getting the 5th member free). You might even want to get artistic and design some team t-shirts for your group. Team leaders have the option to create a team and register all of the members together, or to allow team members to register individually after the team has been created. (Note: The discount is applied retroactively when the final team member registers.)

REFUND REWARDS

Earn refund rewards when you refer your friends. See more information below about how to earn a $5 refund by encouraging your friends to join you in the 5K race or the 2-mile walk.

MORE TO COME

More information is coming! We'll update this page as we confirm sponsors and prizes. Watch for the unveiling of the custom artwork for our shirts and this year’s 5K medal. Stay tuned for our Facebook Live events on The Good Samaritan Center’s Facebook page!