KANSAS CITY, MO (May 20, 2026) – The Hospital Hill Run, Kansas City’s oldest road race, entered a new chapter last weekend. While the KC Sports Commission assumed ownership of the race three years ago, this year’s event introduced a refreshed look, new traditions, and an enhanced race-day experience.
This year, the Hospital Hill Run unveiled a rebrand featuring an updated logo and refreshed visual identity. The new logo, seen at the top of this article, incorporates vibrant shades of blue as a nod to official charity partner Children’s Mercy Hospital, while also reflecting the iconic hills runners come to conquer each year. The updated branding came to life throughout the finish line experience, where banners and signage welcomed participants as they crossed the line.
“The rebrand was designed to introduce a more modern, energetic, and unified identity while continuing to honor the long-standing legacy of Hospital Hill Run. The refreshed blue color palette was carefully selected to represent wellness and reinforce the event’s strong ties to the healthcare community, while also enhancing visibility across apparel, signage, medals, and digital platforms. Overall, the updated branding delivers a fresh, recognizable look that reflects the next chapter and continued evolution of the event.”
- Amelia Riley, Creative Director at KC Sports Commission
In addition to the new branding, the Hospital Hill Run partnered with Start Without a Shot, a global initiative dedicated to replacing the traditional starter pistol with a research-backed, inclusive, and trauma-informed sonic alternative.
Although the race entered a new era, the spirit of the Hospital Hill Run remained unchanged. Runners brought the energy, spectators lined the course with support, and the historic hills were once again conquered.
Winning Times
The competition shined this year as over 3,000 runners dazzled with speedy finishes. Top times from each distance include:
Half Marathon
Male: Nate Pearson – 1:16:09.09
Female: Jessalyn Sadler – 1:25:35.85
Non-Binary: Edward Fleming – 2:29:30.41
10K Race
Male: Samuel Wilhelm – 31:46.96
Female: Monica Erdmann – 43:33.37
Non-Binary: Christina Yinger – 53:39.39
5K Race
Male: Grant Dixon – 16.17.72
Female: Whitney Penny – 19:08.38
Non-Binary: Cody Holt – 28:29.36
Words from Winners
“I hadn’t run the course before or even seen the hill, so every time I turned a corner and saw another hill ahead, I thought, ‘Wow, I can’t catch a break!’ They call it Hospital Hill for a reason.”
- Grant Dixon, Male 5k Race First Place Finisher
“I like hills, not going to lie. Living in Kansas City you kind of have to. Don’t shy away from hard races or the local races. They have great community support and they are very motivating.”
- Jessalyn Sadler, Female Half Marathon First Place Finisher
The Official Charity Partner
In addition to conquering Kansas City’s iconic hills, the Hospital Hill Run provides participants with an opportunity to support a life-changing cause. A portion of every race entry, along with 100% of funds raised through the Hospital Hill Run fundraiser, benefits the “I Love Children’s Mercy Fund.” This year’s race raised over $15,000 dollars!
Children’s Mercy Hospital is a leading independent children’s health organization dedicated to advancing pediatric care through innovative treatments, groundbreaking research, caregiver education, and compassionate support for patients and families. Contributions to the fund help provide advanced medical care, fuel world-class research, and support the hospital’s mission to create a healthier future for all children.
To learn more about Children’s Mercy, the impact of Hospital Hill Run, and how to start or contribute to a fundraiser, click here.
About the KC 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.