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Marathon Details - Pilgrim Pacer Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > KS > Shawnee > Pilgrim Pacer Marathon

Pilgrim Pacer Marathon

Pilgrim Pacer Marathon & Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K

Shawnee, KS USA

November 17, 2019

http://www.wycowolfpack.com/psycho/pilgrimpacerrun

Marathon Results

By Year:

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

Paved trail. Slightly hilly. Woods with changing Fall leaf colors. Marathon course is run on the Half Marathon course (twice), for a double out-and-back.

Contact Information

Name:	Ben Holmes
Address:	Trail Nerds PO Box 3447 Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone Number:	816-810-0440
Email:	Email the organizers

Race Organizer

Largest Finisher Medals in the Midwest! (11/15/11)

Ben Holmes

The paved trail course is beautiful...with the fall colors, deer sightings and frequent views of lakes and rivers.
Long-sleeve technical tees and logo'd mugs for all entrants.
Multiple aid stations with experienced runners as volunteers.
And pumpkin pie and hot chocolate are waiting at the end, along with a huge die-cast medal (larger than your hand).

Runner Reviews (14)

Course 4.3

Organization 4.0

Spectators 2.9

Write a review

Number of comments: 14 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

D. G. from Richmond. VA (11/22/2017) "good small race" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 You either like small races or you don't like small races. If you like small races, this is a good one... In a small race, you don't expect spectators (there we very few here) or you don't expect to be running with large crowds (none here) This race is put on by a group who does trail runs and as they said at race number pick up, this is the only one they do on pavement. So it has a little bit of a trail run vibe The race is entirely on a paved trail. So no cars or other traffic to worry about. Running thru the woods was beautiful. The only thing about the course, which was clear from the course map, was the hill at the start that you went up and down twice. And some other hills near the turn around point. Train for the hill. The course is an out and back of 6.55 that the half marathoners do once and marathoners do twice. There are more half runners so there are people on the course in the first lap but the second lap you could possibly be running alone. But in a peaceful, safe , beautiful environment. The water stops were great. Some of the most enthusiastic people who I have every met. And there were 4 on the 6.55 route, so lots of stops. And they had everything at the stops. If you did not get food or drink, it was your fault. Medal was huge (too big....they hand it to you instead of putting it on.) Shirt was a shirt... Pumpkin pie at the end. And photos....they had photos all over the course and free!!!
D. H. from Sioux Falls,South Dakota (11/22/2016) "Nice hilly course with good spectators." (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 The RD did a poor job, ex. moving packet pick up location no notification and when I picked up my packet a shirt and number no bag. I was pushed through the line in a small cramped area and was given written directions to the start line. The course was in a beautiful location and aids stations were good. The pumpkin pie at the end wasn't served or offered just in boxes off to the side, the cut banana and water was something. This race needs to be for locals only or improve organization.
J. S. from Fargo ND (11/16/2015) "Great Race" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran this race is 2015. It's a great small marathon. Challenging double out and back course on a wide asphalt bike path. The race venue is a beautiful nature preserve with lot of hills, turns, woods, tunnels, a lake, a creek, and bridges. The medal is really nice and is the size of a hub cap. The pumpkin pie at the finish is a great touch. The hill at the start/finish is flat out brutal but it's a marathon, it's supposed to be hard. There is not a lot of spectators because it's a small race. The lack of crowds was one of the nice things about the race. The people that were there were awesome esp the volunteers. I didn't know how cool the double out and back would be but since it was in such a scenic venue and the volunteers could support it well, it was great. I'm trying for 50 states and this was a great choice for Kansas.
A. T. from Chicago (11/15/2015) "Nice scenery; two out-and-back; hills!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Stayed at Hampton Inn in Merriam (about 15 minute drive) which allowed 1:30 checkout. Suggest that the turnaround have an advance warning sign or else block the path; I saw several people ahead of me go sailing through, and only at the last minute did I see the sign at the side of the path, blocked by someone getting water. So watch your Garmin for about 6.65 miles, and it's at an aid station. Course is a nice paved path through a park, although two out-and-backs AND some tough hills AND a strong wind made it a hard race; probably a way nicer race for the half marathoners, as the second out and back was pretty lonely. Suggest fruit at end and not just pumpkin pie. Race day registration and pickup. They told us the wrong address for GPS for the start. Entrance is actually a ways north of the GPS location (easier to head south on Renner from Midland and take the first entrance on the right. Cotton long-sleeve shirt; HUGE medal (no year, so probably the same medal every year).. Good aid stations and sufficient porta-potties. Maybe a wave start? VERY crowded for a while at the beginning.
N. A. from USA (11/17/2014) "I'd Do This One Again" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course is on paved paths through parks. The medal is huge. The food at the end is mainly pumpkin pie and hot cocoa. There is a long hill to challenge you. The shirt was fineI like cotton. The only thing I'd change is to get a different host hotel. Despite suggestions early on that they'd allow late checkouts or arrange a room in which people could take showers, they we're not generous with that option. It stinks to fly home without a shower after a long, cold run!
K. C. from Manhattan, KS (11/18/2013) "Great experience; 13th Marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon is great for runners that have ever been lost on a course, there is essentially zero possibility of that here. Spectators are few and far between and the course has some rollers. You receive your award upon finishing (even overall winners) so no waiting around! Great course to track splits and know exactly where you are and what's coming up.
K. B. from Colorado Springs, CO (11/10/2013) "Challenging, well-organized, small race!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I REALLY like this well-organized, small race. The hills are a little tough, and it is mentally challenging to return to the finish area at the halfway point when many runners are finishing, only to turn around and run the course again. That said, what a beautiful place for a long run! We had a lovely day (if slightly warm, around mid 60s by one pm), and the trees were at their peak of color. Good aid stations with very friendly volunteers. All in all, a REALLY nice small race. I wish I had asked for an early start, though. Starting at 0830 is a bit of a late start for a 4 1/2 hour runner, so late check-out was not an option at my hotel.
d. m. from nc (11/12/2012) "Small race - big medal" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a small marathon with 110 finishers for 2012 but there are lots of people running the other associated distances (5K, 10K and half marathon). Packet pickup was well organized at Garry Gribble's Running Sports (Stoll Park location) and it gave you a chance to see a very well stocked running store. Since I live in a small town with no specialty stores it was nice to be able to look through the clothes. There is no expo or anything like that. The long sleeve tech shirt is good and unique. The finishers medal is bright, bold, and huge. Just what you need! As an extra you get a coffee mug to remind you of the race. There are hotels close to the start and finish which make things convenient. I stayed at the Courtyard Kansas City Shawnee on Midland Dr and thought it was very good and very quiet. They had a pool and hot tub but I forgot my swim suit. Maybe next time. Breakfast starts at 7 AM and cost $6 which I thought was tasty and reasonable and gives you some time to digest before the 8:30 start. The course is two out and back runs so you get to see the same 6.55 miles. The plus side is that it is all on wide bike trails with no cars. The downside is the pesky hills. My summary would be 1.5 miles downhill, 3.5 miles flat, 1.5 miles uphill, repeat x 4. There are 4 aid stations (per 6.55 miles) and this year it was hot. I was kind of wishing for some more aid stations but even as the day wore on they were well stocked with water and gator aid and gels. The runners all start at the same time and then slowly you are left alone. The 5Kers disappear, the 10Kers disappear, the half marathoners disappear, and then you are left with just a few runners out on the course. I don't mind being alone but if you need the support of 40,000 other runners this isn't the marathon for you. So the pluses are small race, no cars, big medal, and Kansas scratched off your 50 state list. Enjoy and happy running!
K. F. from Des Moines, IA (11/11/2012) "Poorly organized race." (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The course is an out and back, and out and back for the marathon. The elevation chart does not do justice to the amount and quality of hills. There are almost no spectators along the route. Course support is very minimal. Expect 1-2 workers at each aid station. Water cups are mouthwash sized and at least one station ran out of water. While the shirts, medals and cups are nice, there are insufficient Porto-potties and at the finish no chocolate milk, bananas or other normal fuel. Just pumpkin pie. Which, while delicious, is not so awesome post massive hill finish.
Brian Brooks from Lenexa, KS (3/2/2012) "Great course, great RD, and great people." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is challenging (but manageable) with several hills - that you get to repeat twice. The 2 loop layout and aid station locations allows you to break the race down into 5k's. Although spectators are limited, the loop course allows runners to be each other's cheering section. And the race location in Shawnee Mission Park is a beautiful place for a autumn race. The organization is great and the volunteers are top notch.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]



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D. G. from Richmond. VA (11/22/2017) "good small race" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 You either like small races or you don't like small races. If you like small races, this is a good one... In a small race, you don't expect spectators (there we very few here) or you don't expect to be running with large crowds (none here) This race is put on by a group who does trail runs and as they said at race number pick up, this is the only one they do on pavement. So it has a little bit of a trail run vibe The race is entirely on a paved trail. So no cars or other traffic to worry about. Running thru the woods was beautiful. The only thing about the course, which was clear from the course map, was the hill at the start that you went up and down twice. And some other hills near the turn around point. Train for the hill. The course is an out and back of 6.55 that the half marathoners do once and marathoners do twice. There are more half runners so there are people on the course in the first lap but the second lap you could possibly be running alone. But in a peaceful, safe , beautiful environment. The water stops were great. Some of the most enthusiastic people who I have every met. And there were 4 on the 6.55 route, so lots of stops. And they had everything at the stops. If you did not get food or drink, it was your fault. Medal was huge (too big....they hand it to you instead of putting it on.) Shirt was a shirt... Pumpkin pie at the end. And photos....they had photos all over the course and free!!!
D. H. from Sioux Falls,South Dakota (11/22/2016) "Nice hilly course with good spectators." (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 The RD did a poor job, ex. moving packet pick up location no notification and when I picked up my packet a shirt and number no bag. I was pushed through the line in a small cramped area and was given written directions to the start line. The course was in a beautiful location and aids stations were good. The pumpkin pie at the end wasn't served or offered just in boxes off to the side, the cut banana and water was something. This race needs to be for locals only or improve organization.
J. S. from Fargo ND (11/16/2015) "Great Race" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran this race is 2015. It's a great small marathon. Challenging double out and back course on a wide asphalt bike path. The race venue is a beautiful nature preserve with lot of hills, turns, woods, tunnels, a lake, a creek, and bridges. The medal is really nice and is the size of a hub cap. The pumpkin pie at the finish is a great touch. The hill at the start/finish is flat out brutal but it's a marathon, it's supposed to be hard. There is not a lot of spectators because it's a small race. The lack of crowds was one of the nice things about the race. The people that were there were awesome esp the volunteers. I didn't know how cool the double out and back would be but since it was in such a scenic venue and the volunteers could support it well, it was great. I'm trying for 50 states and this was a great choice for Kansas.
A. T. from Chicago (11/15/2015) "Nice scenery; two out-and-back; hills!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Stayed at Hampton Inn in Merriam (about 15 minute drive) which allowed 1:30 checkout. Suggest that the turnaround have an advance warning sign or else block the path; I saw several people ahead of me go sailing through, and only at the last minute did I see the sign at the side of the path, blocked by someone getting water. So watch your Garmin for about 6.65 miles, and it's at an aid station. Course is a nice paved path through a park, although two out-and-backs AND some tough hills AND a strong wind made it a hard race; probably a way nicer race for the half marathoners, as the second out and back was pretty lonely. Suggest fruit at end and not just pumpkin pie. Race day registration and pickup. They told us the wrong address for GPS for the start. Entrance is actually a ways north of the GPS location (easier to head south on Renner from Midland and take the first entrance on the right. Cotton long-sleeve shirt; HUGE medal (no year, so probably the same medal every year).. Good aid stations and sufficient porta-potties. Maybe a wave start? VERY crowded for a while at the beginning.
N. A. from USA (11/17/2014) "I'd Do This One Again" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course is on paved paths through parks. The medal is huge. The food at the end is mainly pumpkin pie and hot cocoa. There is a long hill to challenge you. The shirt was fineI like cotton. The only thing I'd change is to get a different host hotel. Despite suggestions early on that they'd allow late checkouts or arrange a room in which people could take showers, they we're not generous with that option. It stinks to fly home without a shower after a long, cold run!
K. C. from Manhattan, KS (11/18/2013) "Great experience; 13th Marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon is great for runners that have ever been lost on a course, there is essentially zero possibility of that here. Spectators are few and far between and the course has some rollers. You receive your award upon finishing (even overall winners) so no waiting around! Great course to track splits and know exactly where you are and what's coming up.
K. B. from Colorado Springs, CO (11/10/2013) "Challenging, well-organized, small race!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I REALLY like this well-organized, small race. The hills are a little tough, and it is mentally challenging to return to the finish area at the halfway point when many runners are finishing, only to turn around and run the course again. That said, what a beautiful place for a long run! We had a lovely day (if slightly warm, around mid 60s by one pm), and the trees were at their peak of color. Good aid stations with very friendly volunteers. All in all, a REALLY nice small race. I wish I had asked for an early start, though. Starting at 0830 is a bit of a late start for a 4 1/2 hour runner, so late check-out was not an option at my hotel.
d. m. from nc (11/12/2012) "Small race - big medal" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a small marathon with 110 finishers for 2012 but there are lots of people running the other associated distances (5K, 10K and half marathon). Packet pickup was well organized at Garry Gribble's Running Sports (Stoll Park location) and it gave you a chance to see a very well stocked running store. Since I live in a small town with no specialty stores it was nice to be able to look through the clothes. There is no expo or anything like that. The long sleeve tech shirt is good and unique. The finishers medal is bright, bold, and huge. Just what you need! As an extra you get a coffee mug to remind you of the race. There are hotels close to the start and finish which make things convenient. I stayed at the Courtyard Kansas City Shawnee on Midland Dr and thought it was very good and very quiet. They had a pool and hot tub but I forgot my swim suit. Maybe next time. Breakfast starts at 7 AM and cost $6 which I thought was tasty and reasonable and gives you some time to digest before the 8:30 start. The course is two out and back runs so you get to see the same 6.55 miles. The plus side is that it is all on wide bike trails with no cars. The downside is the pesky hills. My summary would be 1.5 miles downhill, 3.5 miles flat, 1.5 miles uphill, repeat x 4. There are 4 aid stations (per 6.55 miles) and this year it was hot. I was kind of wishing for some more aid stations but even as the day wore on they were well stocked with water and gator aid and gels. The runners all start at the same time and then slowly you are left alone. The 5Kers disappear, the 10Kers disappear, the half marathoners disappear, and then you are left with just a few runners out on the course. I don't mind being alone but if you need the support of 40,000 other runners this isn't the marathon for you. So the pluses are small race, no cars, big medal, and Kansas scratched off your 50 state list. Enjoy and happy running!
K. F. from Des Moines, IA (11/11/2012) "Poorly organized race." (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The course is an out and back, and out and back for the marathon. The elevation chart does not do justice to the amount and quality of hills. There are almost no spectators along the route. Course support is very minimal. Expect 1-2 workers at each aid station. Water cups are mouthwash sized and at least one station ran out of water. While the shirts, medals and cups are nice, there are insufficient Porto-potties and at the finish no chocolate milk, bananas or other normal fuel. Just pumpkin pie. Which, while delicious, is not so awesome post massive hill finish.
Brian Brooks from Lenexa, KS (3/2/2012) "Great course, great RD, and great people." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Pilgrim Pacer Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is challenging (but manageable) with several hills - that you get to repeat twice. The 2 loop layout and aid station locations allows you to break the race down into 5k's. Although spectators are limited, the loop course allows runners to be each other's cheering section. And the race location in Shawnee Mission Park is a beautiful place for a autumn race. The organization is great and the volunteers are top notch.

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Marathon Details - Pilgrim Pacer Marathon