KANSAS CITY, MO (October 21, 2026) – Another Garmin Kansas City Marathon is in the books! This year’s race, the 40th running of the event, was packed full of fast miles and big smiles. Runners from across the country and around the world came together to take on the streets of Kansas City. From the excitement at the starting line to the cheers of spectators along the course, the energy and Kansas City spirit were on full display. Let’s look back at the highlights, standout performances, and memorable moments that made this year’s Garmin Kansas City Marathon one to remember.
Times & Race Numbers
This year’s Garmin Kansas City Marathon welcomed one of the largest fields in the race’s history, with 11,189 runners participating across the four races. The event brought together athletes from 49 states and 19 countries, showcasing the marathon’s wide-reaching appeal. Of the participants, 5,992 were male, 5,174 were female, and 23 were nonbinary.
Race morning brought ideal conditions for runners taking on the streets of Kansas City. Temperatures started in the upper 30s before gradually climbing into the 40s and low 50s throughout the races. The cool, comfortable weather provided favorable conditions for tackling the challenging course and helped set the stage for some outstanding performances and impressive finishing times.
Winning Times:
Half Marathon
M: Tanner Talley – 1:08:06
W: Mary Frances Lueger – 1:19:21
NB: Christiana Munoz – 1:59:26
Full Marathon:
M: Eric Vazquez-Olivas – 2:25:21
W: Nicole Merriman – 2:52:39
NB: Paul Maloney – 4:42:04
5k
M: Calvin Murrell – 16:53
W: Li Anne Kern – 19:31
NB: Kenzie Powell – 38:53
10k
M: Chris Casart – 35:22
W: Katie Carbiener – 40:13
NB: Virginia Drummond – 56:08
Powered by the Community
The Garmin Kansas City Marathon wouldn’t be possible without the incredible community that comes together to make race weekend a success. This year, more than 700 volunteers lent a helping hand throughout Expo Day and Marathon Day, welcoming runners, keeping things running smoothly, and helping create a memorable experience for everyone involved. The event also featured 44 expo vendors and 33 marathon sponsors, showcasing the local businesses and dedicated partners who help bring race weekend to life.
Of course, race weekend is about more than just the miles! Runners had plenty of opportunities to celebrate and refuel, with BBQ sandwiches, chocolate milk, local beer, and even massages waiting to help them recover after the race. From the volunteers cheering runners on to the vendors and sponsors providing support along the way, the Kansas City community played a huge role in making this year’s marathon one to remember. It truly takes a community to bring 26.2 miles to life.
Interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor? Learn more about opportunities to get involved with the KC Sports Commission here.
Save The date: Garmin Kansas City Marathon 2027
Registration for the 2027 Garmin Kansas City Marathon is officially open! The KC Sports Commission continuously looks for ways to improve the race-day experience, and next year brings an exciting change. In 2027, race day will move to the final weekend of October, with the goal of providing runners with a more enjoyable experience and a better chance of cooler race-day temperatures.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 30, 2027, and get ready for another unforgettable race through the streets of Kansas City! Whether you’re chasing a PR, taking on your first marathon, or returning for another year, we can’t wait to see you at the starting line. Register below and join us in 2027!
About The Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation
The mission of the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation is to drive Kansas City’s overall sports strategy, to enrich the quality of life, create economic impact and raise visibility for our region. As a privately-funded nonprofit, we are entirely dependent on your support. For the latest on Kansas City Sports Commission news, follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.