FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Griffin Schaetzle
KANSAS CITY, MO (May 7, 2026) – This year, Hospital Hill Run is proud to announce its partnership with Start Without a Shot, a global initiative dedicated to replacing the sound of the starter pistol with a research-backed, inclusive, and trauma-informed sonic alternative. Together with Start Without a Shot, Hospital Hill Run is helping lead a national conversation about how we can make racing more inclusive for veterans, victims of gun violence, people from conflict zones, and individuals on the autism spectrum or with noise sensitivities.
This year’s starting sound can be heard below.
“When we learned from Start Without and Shot that the traditional race starting pistol or air horn can cause trauma for veterans, victims of gun violence and individuals on the autism spectrum, we wanted to make changes so that our race would be as inclusive as possible. Races are such uplifting, inspirational events, and we’re excited to do our part to make sure that everyone has a good experience on race day.”
– Dave Borchardt, Race Director for the Hospital Hill Run
The Start Without a Shot sound was created by award-winning sound designers and neuro- experts associated with both Harvard Medical School and the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, tested across athletic and neurological settings, and debuted globally at the 2024 Kyiv City Marathon (now known as the Nova Post Free Barrier Marathon). Since then, the movement has spread to distance races worldwide, leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the initiative hopes to make the new sound the global standard for marathon and other distance race starts. In 2025, Start Without a Shot successfully lobbied World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, to amend its competition rules to formally permit alternative start sounds beyond traditional gunshots, airhorns, and cannons.
Race Information
The 2026 Hospital Hill Run is set to take place on Saturday, May 16th, at 7:00 a.m. The course features iconic Kansas City landmarks including The Nelson Atkins Lawn, UMKC Campus, Gillham Park and more. A full race route can be found here.
Road closures will begin at 7:00 AM and last until 11:30 AM in some areas. Residents along the route will be allowed to cross the road during the race when there are gaps in participants and the police officers deem it safe to do so. The Kansas City Police Department has been contracted to provide appropriate traffic control during the race to allow for safe travel for you as well as the participants along the course.
For full information on the Hospital Hill Run, click here.
About The Kansas City Sports Commission
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.
About Start Without a Shot
Start Without a Shot is a global movement to replace the traditional starter pistol sound in athletic events with inclusive, trauma-informed sonic alternatives. Created by a global collective of sound designers, neuroscientists, and veterans, and driven by award-winning music and sound company, Barking Owl, and award-winning public relations firm, Gres Todorchuk, the initiative aims to eliminate triggering start sounds before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Learn more or get involved at www.startwithoutashot.org.