For 22 years, the first course on Thanksgiving Day . . .
Registration will open later this summer.
Entry fee
$40 - Nov 22-27, no family discounts
Nov 26: Wednesday Packet Pickup/Registration
- 11:30 am - 6 pm - at Ad Astra Running, 835 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS.
- after 6 pm - you can still register on-line, then go to packet pickup Thursday.
Nov 27: Race Day - Packet Pickup & Late Registration
- 7 am - 8 am - Woodlawn School, 508 Elm, Lawrence KS.
- Day of Race Packet Pickup. Yes, you can register at the school (bring credit card or check, please). Save time by registering at home first before coming to the school. You can go directly to packet pickup.
- You may leave your warm-ups in the supervised bag drop area of the gym during the race.
- 8:30 am - 5K start
- 9:45 am - fun run start
Do not park around Woodlawn School. 2 blocks away are the Union Depot parking lot & south public lot. Additional parking behind Johnny's Tavern (west side of N 2nd) and across the river at the parking garage by City Hall. Limited street parking north of the school. Watch traffic when crossing streets. Map
Start/Finish
The start/finish line is in front of Woodlawn School on Elm Street.
Stocking Caps
The first 1250 entires will get customembroidered stocking caps.
Safety
No dogs, headsets, roller skates or wagons are allowed on the 5K race. If walking with a stroller, you must start at the back and walk. Be careful on the short descent from the levee. Please be courteous and obey the course marshals on where to run and walk. The streets are not closed so be alert for any cars on the streets or leaving driveways.
Cancellation
The run will be held rain or shine. If necessary, we will cancel the run for safety reasons. No refunds for any reasons; proceeds will go to local running programs and projects.
Free Children’s Fun Run
Sign up on race day (only) at the school gym before the 9:45 am start. Medals to all finishers. Distance is one kilometer. If accompanying parent is running the 5K, allow time to be done before 9:35 when we call the children to the start.
Awards by VanGo and Ad Astra Running
VanGo awards and gift certificates from Ad Astra Running to the top 3 finishers in each age division (male and female). and top 3 non-binary. First two overall males and females will also get awards.
In order to be eligible for any awards you must be registered and wearing the correct chip.
Awards will be available after 9:45 am. Check the posted results and if you are a winner, report to the awards table. Post race refreshments courtesy of our sponsors. After race day, awards may be picked up at Ad Astra Running in Lawrence until December 31st.
Past awards by VanGo and others:
Age Groups
10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
Chip Timing
by Red Dirt Race Management. The timing chip is attached to the bib and does not need to be returned. Pin your bib on your front side. Check to be sure you have your bib and not someone else's.
Event Records & Prize Money for 2025
Male: Reid Buchanan (Kansas City MO) 14:36 (2024)
Female: Amy Cragg (Portland OR) 16:46 (2016)
Prize money will be available in 2025 in memory of Lynne Lipsey, a Lawrence resident and retired KU staff member.
The fastest female and fastest male finisher, based on gun time (first across the line), will receive $250 each. 2nd fastest female and male will receive $125 each.
Top age-graded masters (male and female) will receive $125.
2nd fastest age-graded masters (M & F) will receive $100.
Age-adjusted times will be based on the 2020 USATF MLDR Road age-grading calculator.
Prize money winners will be determined a day after the event after results are reviewed for accuracy.
The prize money is separate from the age group awards and will be mailed to the winners.
High school and college runners are not eligible for prize money because of the potential loss of eligibility.
Race Results
Participants will be able to get live results as soon as they cross the finish. You can get these results by text message, Facebook, or by visiting one of the results kiosks set up in the gym. Check the www.runLawrence.org web site for the final results.
Photography
We love our photographer. John Knepper will be taking your photos again. Take a look at his 2024 photos.
Proceeds
. . . benefit Woodlawn School, the host facility, and numerous local youth running programs. Any running/fitness club at a public K-12 school in the Lawrence area may apply to receive support. To apply, fill out the runLawrence Marathon & Fitness Club/Program Funding form. Fill out the form and it will automatically be saved for review.
(photo on right by Chad Harper)
Income from the run benefits many local youth running programs like the Deerfield and Quail Run Marathon Clubs.
Volunteers
If you are not running, we can use your help. Cheering burns calories, too. If you're available, please sign up. Please contact Dee.
See the volunteer page for a fun description of the jobs. Or you can sign up here:
Sponsorship Opportunity
If you would like to be a sponsor of the run, please take a look at our brochure.
More Information
Race Director: Dee Boeck at 785-841-3587, runLawrence@gmail.com
