Tortoise & Hare 5K Hops Into Action with New Route and Sponsor

*Participants eagerly await the start of the run in 2019 while Good Samaritan Center Director Sara Noblet thanks them. Photo Courtney Cole*

Some big changes are in store for Excelsior Springs’ only 5K race, the Tortoise & Hare 5K, on Saturday, April 15.

“Everything is new and improved,” said Sara Noblet, director of The Good Samaritan Center, which is the beneficiary of the annual event. “This is the only 5K race in Excelsior Springs and the money it raises stays in the community to aid our mission to prevent homelessness and hunger. We’re excited to have a corporate sponsor for the first time, Other Trails Coffee & Goods. We’re also excited about a new route along Fishing River, and a lot more big changes this year.”

The Tortoise & Hare, which includes a 5K race, a two-mile walk, and a kids’ fun run, has been an annual fundraiser for The Good Samaritan Center for many years. The benefit of a corporate sponsor, Noblet explained, is that the costs of hosting the event are fully underwritten. “Every dollar raised by this event directly benefits the center and the community because we don’t have to cover any administrative or other expenses,” she said. “Thanks to Other Trails, as well as our other business sponsors, folks who register are actually making a contribution to an organization that’s been serving our community for more than 30 years.”

Packet pick-up and late registration for the Tortoise & Hare will be held at Other Trails on Friday evening and Saturday morning before the race, on April 14 and 15. In the meantime, participants who visit the cozy downtown coffee shop and show their email registration confirmation will be treated to a free cookie.

In the past the race would gather in the area of the Elms and Wabash, but is being moved to the Hall of Waters Circle Drive near the corporate sponsor, Other Trails Coffee and Goods. Photo Courtney Cole

Runners and walkers will gather outside Other Trails’ back door, near the circle drive on the west side of the historic Hall of Waters (on S. Main Street), for the start of the event. 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 Hot Chocolate Fun Run to earn a tasty prize.

This year’s Tortoise & Hare features a brand new out-and-back course, which runs primarily on the paved trail winding through five parks: Fishing River Linear Park, Paul Craig Park, Isley Park Woods, East Valley Park, and Siloam Mountain Park. Both runners and walkers will head south on Marietta Street a short distance before turning onto the trail at Fishing River Linear Park. Along this scenic trail, which parallels Fishing River, participants will pass the historic Superior Well.

When the trail reaches Golf Hill Drive, walkers will turn around at the one-mile mark. Runners will cross Lover’s Lane and proceed up Siloam Mountain to the turnaround point in the cul-de-sac in Siloam Mountain Park. Most of the course is relatively flat until this final quarter-mile to reach the turnaround point. Runners will then pick up speed as they return down the hill and follow the same route back to the finish line.

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

Every participant (in each event) will receive a high-quality shirt that features the original work of local artist and avid runner Holly Spencer. “Holly is a talented artist,” said Noblet. “We so appreciate her sharing her creative artwork with us to design such a unique shirt.” (Registration deadline to receive shirts is March 31, 2023.)

Every participant in the chip-timed 5K event will receive a unique medal that incorporates 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. (Although portions of the building are open, the solarium and visitor center are currently closed for repairs.)

The Hall of Waters features Art Deco style architecture with motifs of Mayan tradition. “The 5K medals reflect the design elements in the Hall of Waters,” said Noblet. “They’re sure to become collectors’ items each year.” This year’s medal, the first in the new series, portrays the lighting fixtures that hang above the water bar.

“ReeceNichols Realtors Excelsior Springs generously offered to sponsor the cost of medals this year,” Noblet added.

The Bill Hightower Team at last year's Good Samaritan Center's Tortoise and the Hare 5k Run, Walk, and Roll — *The Bill Hightower Team at last year’s 5k. The Team traditionally enters and this year will sponsor the medals. Photo Courtney Cole.*

First-place overall finishers in the men’s and women’s divisions of the 5K race will each receive a $100 gift card from 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.

“We have a couple of new events this year that will be fun,” said Noblet.

The first runner to reach the top of Siloam Mountain (in both the men’s and women’s divisions) will be proclaimed King/Queen of the Hill and earn a $20 gift card and mug from Other Trails Coffee & Goods.

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.

Be sure to register before March 31, 2023, to guarantee a shirt (for all participants) and medal (for 5K participants). Late registrations after March 31 won’t be guaranteed to receive either a shirt or medal. A student rate of only $15 (half-price) is available for those 18 and under who participate in either the 5K race or the two-mile walk.

You can 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.