KANSAS CITY, MO (October 15, 2026) – Finishing a marathon is always a reason to celebrate. For two runners this weekend, the race itself is part of the celebration. Newlyweds Katie Applegate and Kody Dyke will take on the half marathon at the Garmin Kansas City Marathon alongside friends as they continue celebrating their recent marriage.
For Katie and Kody, running has been part of their story since before they knew each other. The two met while running for the KC Running Company team, sharing races and miles before their relationship eventually grew into something more. This year, they took their love of running to a whole new level, tying the knot at the St. George Marathon in Utah just a few weeks ago.
Now, the Kansas City natives are bringing the celebration home. With friends and family in town for the festivities, the Garmin Kansas City Marathon felt like the perfect addition to their wedding celebrations. Rather than simply gathering to celebrate their marriage, Katie and Kody are doing what they love most: running together and sharing the experience with the people closest to them.
Their connection to the Kansas City running community runs deep. Katie has served as both an ambassador and a pacer for the KC Marathon, helping fellow runners reach their goals. Kody has even paced alongside her during a past Kansas City race. Over the years, the couple has shared miles at numerous races and supported each other through major running milestones, including races in Berlin, Chicago and New York. As for the Garmin Kansas City Marathon, one of the things that makes it special is the opportunity to experience the city in a different way. “Running gives you a different perspective of all the different districts and places in the city,” said Katie.
For couples looking to share their love of running, Katie and Kody's advice comes down to communication and support. “Every runner has their own journey and goals. Making a relationship work means celebrating those individual pursuits while also finding ways to grow together. Balance individual ambitions with shared goals, communicate openly, and support each other no matter what. Running can be a wonderful way to strengthen a relationship.”
Garmin Kansas City Marathon
The Garmin Kansas City Marathon will take place on October 17th and offers a variety of race distances, including the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K. For registration and race day information, click here.
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