_ The 2019 Tortoise & Hare 5K Run, Walk & Roll:

Artists & Athletes!

What a mash-up! Artists & athletes will mix and mingle in a one-of-a-kind event to benefit The Good Samaritan Center on Saturday, April 6, 2019. Hundreds of artists and athletes will gather at the starting line in front of Wabash Barbecue in Excelsior Springs, Mo. When the air horn blasts at 8 a.m., some will race along a scenic 5K course that includes a loop around Lake Maurer (with chip timing and prizes for the winners). Some will stroll more casually and enjoy a two-mile walk. And the kids will take off on their own one-mile fun run.

Beyond the race and running, this year’s Tortoise & Hare will feature:

ARTISTIC SHIRTS! 
Every participant (in each event) will receive a high-quality, soft cotton t-shirt that features the original work of local artist and avid runner Holly Spencer. (Registration deadline to receive shirts is March 22, 2019.)

ARTISTIC MEDALS! 
Every participant in the chip-timed 5K event will receive a unique acrylic medal, custom designed by well-known local artist Molly Roberts.

MORE ART! 
Main Spring Art Gallery is organizing an art show during Friday night’s early packet pickup and Saturday morning’s race. Enjoy the displays from area artists in the Elms Carriage House (across the street from Wabash Barbecue). The 

This blending of artists and athletes creates a unique event, which will draw folks throughout the Northland and beyond to Excelsior Springs. More importantly, the event will support the work of The Good Samaritan Center. For more than 30 years, the Good Samaritan Center has been dedicated to preventing homelessness and hunger by providing basic life needs and access to life skills for residents in northern Clay County (including Excelsior Springs, Lawson, Kearney and Smithville) and throughout Ray County.

A SPECIAL RATE of only $10 is available (just enter the coupon code STUDENT). After the 5K run and walk, there will be a 1-mile fun run for the kids.

HAVE MORE FUN WITH A TEAM of your best friends or co-workers! Create a team of five, and each participant will receive a $6 discount (only $24 -- like signing up 4 and getting the 5th member free). You might even want to get artistic and design some team t-shirts for your group. Team leaders have the option to create a team and register all of the members together, or to allow team members to register individually after the team has been created.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Be sure to register before March 22, 2019, to guarantee a shirt (for all participants) and medal (for 5K participants). Late registrations after March 23 won’t be guaranteed to receive either a shirt or medal.

REFUND REWARDS

Earn refund rewards when you refer your friends. See more information below about how to earn a refund up to $5 by encouraging your friends to join you in the 5K race or the 2-mile walk.

More information is coming! We'll update this page as we confirm sponsors and prizes. Watch for the unveiling of our participants 5K medal!