They Run So Our Kids Can Fly
36th Annual Underground Groundhog Run set for January 28th
January 23, 2018 — Kansas City, Mo. — Join us Sunday, January 28th for the 36th annual 2018 Groundhog Run benefiting Ability KC. Thousands of runners will comfortably make their way through the paved, brightly lit roadways of SubTropolis, the world’s largest underground business complex. Nestled beneath miles of Missouri limestone along I-435, SubTropolis offers runners respite from harsh winter weather with a year-round, climate-controlled, 70-degree environment.
The Groundhog Run is the largest fundraiser for Ability KC, with proceeds supporting children with special needs and their families receiving services at Ability KC. As one of the longest standing runs in Kansas City, the Groundhog Run has raised more than $4.75 million since its inception in 1982 and has been recognized by The Independent as one of the top five walks/runs in Kansas City two years in a row.
Sanctioned by the Kansas City Running Company, the 2018 Groundhog Run features 5K and 10K races in waved starts. First, second and third place winners in each age group will receive custom top finisher jackets. Click here for additional Groundhog Run race day details.
What: 2018 Groundhog Run benefiting Ability KC
When: Sunday, January 28, 2018
5K Start Time at 8:00 a.m.
10K Start Time at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Hunt Midwest SubTropolis
8300 NE Underground Drive, Kansas City, MO
ABOUT ABILITY KC
Ability KC brings together the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City and Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center, providing therapeutic and educational services for children with disabilities by highly skilled pediatric experts in an environment which fosters their independence and celebrates their successes. Annually, 2,700 individuals and families receive services for medical rehabilitation, therapeutic preschool, and employment services. In addition, multiple specialty programs and services are offered, such as neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), corporate partnerships for employment opportunities and much more. Ability KC is proud to celebrate 70 years since the beginnings of each agency in 1947. Thousands of lives have been changed and celebrations of successes have occurred due to the generosity of the Kansas City community.
ABOUT SUBTROPOLIS
SubTropolis sets the standard for subsurface business developments, with more than 6 million square feet of developed commercial space and 8 million square feet available for buildout. The world’s largest underground business complex was created through the mining of a 270-million-year-old limestone deposit. In the mining process, limestone is removed by the room and pillar method, leaving 25-foot square pillars that are on 65-foot centers and 40 feet apart. SubTropolis is home to more than 50 local, regional, national and international companies that employ more than 2,000 people. SubTropolis earned a perfect ENERGY STAR energy performance rating of 100 in the category of unrefrigerated warehouses from the EPA. Of the six warehouse facilities in Kansas and Missouri that have earned this rating, SubTropolis is the only one to receive a perfect grade.
ABOUT HUNT MIDWEST
Hunt Midwest is a full-service real estate development company with a focus on industrial, commercial, retail, mission critical, multifamily, senior living and residential real estate. Its portfolio is anchored by SubTropolis, the world’s largest underground business complex. Hunt Midwest is a Kansas City-based, privately held company owned by the Lamar Hunt family. The Hunt family business is a diverse portfolio of entities involved in real estate, sports/media, energy/resources, private equity and investments. Marquee entities include the Kansas City Chiefs, Hunt Midwest, Hunt Southwest, FC Dallas Soccer Club, Toyota Stadium, Chicago Bulls and United Center.
