January and February 2014 Kansas City area races #Running

January 18 @ 9 am Battle of the Bean 5K Foo's Fabulous Frozen Custard Leawood, KS    Pick your team, Team Coffee or Team Cocoa, and join us at the 3rd annual Battle of the Bean 5K! All 5K participants will receive a long sleeve t-shirt and custom Battle of the Bean 5K travel tumbler.  Kids ages 8 and under can run in the Jelly Bean Dash following the 5K. At the finish line, The Roasterie will be offering up the best coffee and hot chocolate in town to participants in addition to Christopher Elbow providing chocolates to all participants. The charity partner for this event is Happy Bottoms who works to provide diapers to area low-income families. To further help this cause, consider donating a package of diapers at packet pick up or on race morning.

January 25 @ 10 am Polar Bear Strut 5K Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee, KS Support Special Olympics Kansas by participating in the Polar Bear Strut 5K. The course will take you throughout Shawnee Mission Park. Participants in the 5K will receive a Polar Plunge knit cap! After the race, join the party at Johnny's where a $10 donation to Special Olympics Kansas will buy you a chili lunch! January 26 @ 8 am Groundhog Run 5K, 10K Hunt Midwest SubTropolis, Kansas City, MO The Children's TLC Groundhog Run 5K, 10K courses are completely underground! With a consistent temperature of 65 to 68 degrees, the Hunt Midwest SubTropolis is the ideal venue for runners to compete in this annual winter event! All finishers will receive a finisher's medal! The event benefits Children's TLC who provides therapeutic and educational services to children with disabilities. February 2 @ 9 am Kickoff 5K Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO Come decked out in your favorite team's gear to kickoff your Superbowl Sunday with a 5K. In addition to the 5K, there will be a timed, combine-style 40-yard dash. Participants will get a long-sleeve cotton shirt and finishers will receive a medal! Kids in the Kid's Fun Run will get a shirt and medal. The charity partner is First Downs for Down Syndrome which raises funds and awareness of down syndrome. February 16 @ 9 am Sweetheart Run 5K Ritz Charles, Overland Park, KS This Valentine's Day weekend team up with your loved ones and run or walk this fun 5K. At the Ritz Charles in Overland Park, participants can stay warm inside at the pre and post-race area. There will be individual awards as well as top 5 team awards. All participants who finish the race will receive a finisher's medal. The charity partner is the Head for the Cure Foundation - raising funds and awareness for a cure for brain cancer.