At Ability KC, we provide medical rehabilitation for children with disabilities and rare medical conditions to move along the journey to their best future possible. While that journey always takes place through treatments, therapy and assistive services in our aboveground facilities, some of our best fundraising is underground. It’s time for the 2025 Ability KC Groundhog Run.
The Groundhog Run is an annual event that raises money to help children receive therapeutic and educational services at Ability KC’s Mary Shaw Branton Therapeutic Preschool. This is the 43rd year of the fundraiser, raising more than $5 million since its inception in 1982. The Independent has regularly recognized the Groundhog Run as one of Kansas City’s top 10 events.
It takes place in the Hunt Midwest SubTropolis, a limestone deposit that’s more than 250 million years old and is located more than 100 feet underground. It’s also the world’s largest underground business complex.
The event involves a 100% underground 5K and 10K. We also added a kids’ run in 2024 for children 8 and younger, which ranges from 50 to 200 yards, depending on the age group.
The donation goal of 2025 is to raise $100,000 for the children of Ability KC, with more than $2,000 already being raised at the time of writing this post.
We’re here to give you the rundown about this unique fundraiser.
The basics of the 2025 Groundhog Run
Before we dive into the deeper details of the fundraiser, let’s start by covering the when, where, and how much it costs to participate.
2025 Groundhog Run info:
- Location — The Hunt Midwest SubTropolis
- 8300 NE Underground Drive, Kansas City, MO
- Date — Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025
- Times
- 5K — 8-10 a.m.
- 10K — 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Kids’ Run — 9:15
Please arrive between 45 and 60 minutes earlier than your start time to allow for parking and getting your packet.
Race fees:
- 5K — $50
- 10K — $55
- 5K and 10K Tunnel-to-Tunnel — $80
- Kids’ Run — $15
The fee of registration will increase by $5 after Jan. 27 for the 5K, 10K and Tunnel-to-Tunnel. There are also options for virtual participation in the three types of races for $5 less than the in-person race.
What to expect on race day
Knowing what to expect on the day of the Groundhog Run can alleviate any uncertainty so that you can focus on having fun raising money for young Ability KC patients.
Here are a few things to keep in mind about race day:
- Parking — For general registration runners, there will be parking located across the street at Ameristar Casino with shuttles available to the race location. If you’ve registered for the VIP experience or as part of a sponsored team, you will receive a parking pass for a VIP lot across from the SubTropolis entrance.
Please contact us at events@abilitykc.org for ADA parking. You will receive an ADA parking tag when you pick up your packet. The ADA parking is located along Underground Drive.
- Getting your race day packet — You can pick up your race packet starting at 7 a.m. on the morning of the race. Pickup is also available at:
- The Running Well Store (200 E. 135th St., Kansas City, MO 64145)
- 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31
- Ability KC Children’s Center Campus (3101 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64108)
- 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1
- Awards — All finishers of each race will receive a medal after each race, with the top finishers in each age group receiving custom medals.
- Bringing personal belongings — Gear check will be available for participants only. You will be provided with a bag to store your belongings when you pick up your packet.
What to know about donating and volunteering
You don’t need to participate in the Groundhog Run as a fundraiser to help the children of Ability KC — you can also be a donor or a volunteer. Every person involved can help make a difference for young patients with disabilities.
You can donate to an individual or team fundraiser by visiting the donation page. There are also volunteer opportunities to sign up for if you want to help out with packet pickup, course monitoring, water distribution, the photo booth and more. Some tasks may be full by the time you register.
Best of luck on race day! If you need more information, you can contact us by emailing events@abilitykc.org.