Introduction

The Sweetheart Run is a mainstay in kansas city, occurring every February in Overland Park. Historically, this route has been a double-loop of the 5k, which itself was one square block made up of 137th, Antioch, 143rd, and Switzer. The original 5k block still exists, but now the 10k includes an out-and-back extension along the Tomahawk Creek paved multi-use trail, in addition to the opening 5k loop

The route isn’t terribly hilly, and most of the hills take place within the opening 5k loop, showing a total of just over 200 feet of elevation gain over the entirety of the 10k. Weather is all over the place, with some races having been sunny and 40 to 50 degrees, and some years running on snow and ice and sub-zero wind chills.

Miles 0.0 to 1.0

5k and 10k runners usually start together. So, if you are running the 10k, don’t go out too fast — you may be following 5k-ers. The opening mile is the stretch from the start on grandview Street at 137th (within the Blue Valley Recreation Sports Complex), East on 137th to Antioch, and Antioch south until the 143rd westbound turn.

Though the opening half-mile is slightly downhill, the first of two climbs begins at the half-mile mark, just past 139th street on Antioch, and continuing through 142nd Street just before the one-mile marker. Elevation gain on this climb is about 42 feet with an average grade of about 2-2.5%. It’s a steady climb, rewarded with a true flat as you pass through mile marker 1.

Miles 1.0 to 2.0

The second climb comes in the second mile, again about halfway into the mile and continuing until about mile marker 2. This one is a bit longer at just under one kilometer (~0.6mi) but with less of a grade at 1.5-2.0%. Maximum slope, similar to the first climb, is at just over 4%, though, so this one may feel eerily similar to the last. This climb pays off, though, as after a short flat, runners are rewarded with a steep decent after mile marker 2.

Miles 2.0 to 3.0

Mile marker 2 also marks the beginning of a steep, quarter-mile descent along northbound switzer until the district’s fire station. The road then mostly flatens out followed by a false-flat as runners turn back onto 137th street, follwed then by a flat once more all the way through mile marker 3.

Mile marker 3 is about where the 5k split occurs. In years’ past with this route configuration, 5k-ers turn left onto Grandview street while 10k-ers turn left through a short parking lot loop until exiting back onto 137th eastbound back toward antioch.

Miles 3.0 to 3.5

This short section will feel familiar — it is a repeat of the start of the first route. However, the southbound trek on antioch introduces a slight right onto the sidewalk, then over the bridge as antioch approaches 139th, followed by a right turn onto tomahawk creek trail.

Miles 3.5 to 5.8

This next section is an out-and-back on tomahawk Creek trail to the northeast — 1.15 mile out, 1.15 miles back. No major climbs here as you snake northeast, although the outbound 1.15 miles is technically slightly downhill (meaning the inbound is slightly uphill). Just keep aware of your surroundings as the trails are open to pedestrians, and along with runners the trail can sometimes get tight. This is particularly true under the Highway 69 bridge at about miles 4.25 and 5.00, with a couple of blind corners and switchbacks.

Miles 5.8 to Finish

The final almost-half-mile is a reverse of the roads run at the 5k/10k split at mile 3. It’s pretty much flat. Just be sure to save your energy for that final 1/10th-mile kick on Grandview Street.