Kansas City’s Plaza 10K: Did England make us faster?

The morning after we returned from our trip to England, William and I laced up for the Plaza 10K – and honestly, we weren’t sure how it would go. Jet lag, travel fatigue, and a packed week abroad had us questioning whether we’d even make it to the start line. But somehow, once the race began, everything clicked.

The Plaza 10K is Kansas City’s signature 10K event, drawing more than 1,700 runners and walkers this year. The course is known for being flat and fast, winding along Brush Creek and through the heart of the Country Club Plaza and surrounding neighborhoods. It’s one of the most scenic runs in the city, and this year it delivered perfect conditions for chasing a personal best.

And that’s exactly what happened. Despite our doubts, we both ran our fastest 10K of 2025:

  • Nate: 51:01 (8:13/mi pace)
  • William: 1:06:20 (10:41/mi pace)

Crossing the finish line felt like a victory over more than just the miles – it was proof that sometimes your body surprises you, even when your mind isn’t sure it’s ready.

The post-race celebration was classic Plaza 10K: live music, great food, and a festive atmosphere that makes this race such a Kansas City favorite. Proceeds from the event benefit Saint Luke’s Homecare & Hospice, adding even more meaning to the miles.

We’ve got one more 10K on the calendar this year – the Gobbler Grind – and now we’re curious to see if we can top the pace we set at the Plaza. Whether or not we do, this race will stand out as one of the highlights of our 2025 running season.

Support us in our runs by donating to our fundraiser for Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre.

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One response to “Kansas City’s Plaza 10K: Did England make us faster?”

  1. […] After the race we enjoyed free beer and food at the finish line festival as we discussed our experience on the course. For both of us, Garmin KC ended up being our second‑best 10K pace of 2025, just behind the Plaza 10K earlier this fall. […]

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