Our Upcoming Races 

Gobbler Grind Marathon - 11/24/2024

Words to run by

Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Meet your Pacers for
Eisenhower Marathon & Half Marathon

Half Marathon Pacers: 1:50 2:00 2:10 2:20 2:30 2:40 2:45 2:50 3:00

Full Marathon Pacers: 3:40 4:00 4:20 4:40 5:00 5:20 5:40 6:00

Half Marathon SmartPace Teams

1:50 SmartPace Teams

Matt O. - 1:50 pacer

Matt started running cross country in high school after getting cut from the soccer team, and quickly fell in love with distance running. The camaraderie of group runs, the calm of a long solo run, and the thrill of racing are all integral parts of Matt's life. Matt has been a distance runner for 25 years, building up from 5k's to marathons and a couple ultras (not too many of those though!) Matt has completed over 90 half marathons and close to 80 marathons, and has paced over three dozen events. He is looking forward to helping people meet their goals as a pacer!
Half Marathon PR: 1:21

2:00 SmartPace Teams

Eric S. - 2:00 pacer

Eric has been running for over 15 years. One aspect Eric enjoys about running is meeting other runners in the community; they understand what's it's like to have a crazy addiction for running and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eric also enjoys helping and encouraging runners achieve their goals. Eric has completed multiple half marathons, 40 marathons, 3 50 milers and a 100 miles and he is confident that you will reach your goal when you pace with him. Eric will be using the Smart Pacing strategy to ensure a successful race.
Half Marathon PR: 1:32

2:10 SmartPace Teams

Scott B. - 2:10 pacer

Scott started running again at the young age of 41 just to lose a few pounds and be in better health. Joined a local running club and after a few years of a mile here and a mile there he decided to try his first marathon in spring of 2014 and has been hooked since. Two years since the spring of 2014 he has completed many marathons and 70+ half marathons. His favorite thing about running is the camaraderie that runners share and helping others achieve their goals whether it be a first race, a PR or just enjoying a run with good company.
Half Marathon PR: 1:43

2:20 SmartPace Teams

Wael S. - 2:20 pacer

Wael has been running since 2008. He has completed several ultra trail races, several half marathons and full marathons. He enjoys trail running with the Kansas City Trail Nerds. Wael completed three 100 mile ultra runs with a sub-24 hour finish in Feb, 2014.
Half Marathon PR: 1:38

2:30 SmartPace Teams

Hien Frances T. - 2:30 pacer

Hien Frances starts running late more like in her adulthood, to be honest. She started running a few years back to stay in shape and be active. She signed up for her first 5k and loved it. She has been running numerous 5k, 10k and handful halfs and couple marathons. She believed in RUNNERS HELPING RUNNERs She is new to pacing and excited to help runner to achieve their running goal and have a good time on the course.
Half Marathon PR: 1:53

2:40 SmartPace Teams

Raman W. - 2:40 pacer

Raman started running in his mid-40's when he finally realized that he is mortal and exercise might actually be a good idea. He now runs distances from 13.1 to 100 miles, but still considers his greatest achievement to be the first half marathon he completed. (Longview) His favorite thing about the running community is how inclusive it is. Everyone is at a different place in their journey, and runners of all abilities respect that. Some of his best races were due to the pacers he ran with, through their encouragement, smart race strategy or from just plain spite in deciding that the annoying pacer was not going to beat him. One way or another, he hopes to do the same for others.
Half Marathon PR: 1:52

2:45 SmartPace Teams

Kari J. - 2:45 pacer

Kari went from couch potato to marathon runner in 6 months and has never looked back! She is the first to tell you if she can run a marathon, any fool can! She has successfully completed 25+ marathons, hundreds of half-marathons, and the Goofy Challenge. She has also earned the title of "Ironman" in August 2014 when she successfully completed the Inaugural Boulder Ironman. Her passion is coaching people to the finish, whether it be their 1st event or their 100th. Kari's goal is to get you to the finish line with a smile on your face and to make every mile memorable! Her favorite running quote is "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start".
Half Marathon PR: 2:02

2:50 SmartPace Teams

Leah E. - 2:50 pacer

A "retired" collegiate water polo player, Leah began running in 2009 when she realized she was ready for a new challenge in life. She successfully ran her first half marathon in 2010 with the help of a fabulous SmartPacer and has embraced the philosophy of start slow/finish strong ever since. She favors the full marathon distance but is happy to run any distance as long as she has someone to chat with over the miles. Leah believes that anyone can be a runner and that a mile is a mile no matter how fast (or slow) it's run. She looks forward to meeting you on your 13.1 mile journey together!
Half Marathon PR: 2:02

3:00 SmartPace Teams

Kelly P. - 3:00 pacer

Kelly has been pacing half and full marathons since 2009. She follows the Smart Pacing philosophy - starting out slow to warm up, taking it easy on the uphills, taking advantage of the downhills, and walking through every aid station to fully hydrate. She is fully focused on helping each runner achieve their race goal while having fun along the way. Her goal is to have her runners cross the finish line ahead of her with a smile on their face!
Half Marathon PR: 1:59:13

Full Marathon SmartPace Teams

3:40 SmartPace Teams

Matt O. - 3:40 pacer

Matt started running cross country in high school after getting cut from the soccer team, and quickly fell in love with distance running. The camaraderie of group runs, the calm of a long solo run, and the thrill of racing are all integral parts of Matt's life. Matt has been a distance runner for 25 years, building up from 5k's to marathons and a couple ultras (not too many of those though!) Matt has completed over 90 half marathons and close to 80 marathons, and has paced over three dozen events. He is looking forward to helping people meet their goals as a pacer!
Marathon PR: 2:48:59

4:00 SmartPace Teams

Eric S. - 4:00 pacer

Eric has been running for over 15 years. One aspect Eric enjoys about running is meeting other runners in the community; they understand what's it's like to have a crazy addiction for running and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eric also enjoys helping and encouraging runners achieve their goals. Eric has completed multiple half marathons, 40 marathons, 3 50 milers and a 100 miles and he is confident that you will reach your goal when you pace with him. Eric will be using the Smart Pacing strategy to ensure a successful race.
Marathon PR: 3:13

Andrea W. - 4:00 pacer

Andrea started running to stay in shape after high school. She started meeting up to run with other mom's of young kids after her youngest was born. Those friends encouraged her to sign up for races. She did her first half marathon in 2003 and first full in 2004. Since then, she has completed numerous half marathons and 22 full marathons including Boston! She hopes to help others share in the joy of setting and achieving their running goals through pacing!
Marathon PR: 3:27

4:20 SmartPace Teams

Scott B. - 4:20 pacer

Scott started running again at the young age of 41 just to lose a few pounds and be in better health. Joined a local running club and after a few years of a mile here and a mile there he decided to try his first marathon in spring of 2014 and has been hooked since. Two years since the spring of 2014 he has completed many marathons and 70+ half marathons. His favorite thing about running is the camaraderie that runners share and helping others achieve their goals whether it be a first race, a PR or just enjoying a run with good company.
Marathon PR: 3:44

Aron M. - 4:20 pacer

Aron started running several years ago lose weight and stay healthy. Did his first half and it went from there completing over 60 half marathons, 7 marathons, and 9 Ultra marathons. The distance is what drives. Pacing is a great opportunity to return the help he got over the years from more experienced runners. Cant wait to see you out there and hep you get a PR!
Marathon PR: 4:24:55

4:40 SmartPace Teams

Wael S. - 4:40 pacer

Wael has been running since 2008. He has completed several ultra trail races, several half marathons and full marathons. He enjoys trail running with the Kansas City Trail Nerds. Wael completed three 100 mile ultra runs with a sub-24 hour finish in Feb, 2014.
Marathon PR: 3:36

5:00 SmartPace Teams

Hien Frances T. - 5:00 pacer

Hien Frances starts running late more like in her adulthood, to be honest. She started running a few years back to stay in shape and be active. She signed up for her first 5k and loved it. She has been running numerous 5k, 10k and handful halfs and couple marathons. She believed in RUNNERS HELPING RUNNERs She is new to pacing and excited to help runner to achieve their running goal and have a good time on the course.
Marathon PR: 3:36

Tom M. - 5:00 pacer

Tom ran track and cross-country in high school and mostly 10K’s during and after college. After a couple decades of work and family obligations his physician told him to exercise. Running was familiar and races provided measures of progress. He’s run over 40 marathons, including Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin, and London along with local marathons, half marathons, 10 and 5K’s. He experienced the advantages of the SmartPacing system and is delighted to share that with you, whether this is a first race, a PR attempt, or a comeback race. He will ease you into an efficient pace, going slow in uphills and faster in downhills, along with strategic walk breaks at aid stations. He’ll encourage you, distract you, and entertain you to your goal. He has paced numerous races over several years and enjoyed helping runners achieve their goals.
Marathon PR: 3:12

5:20 SmartPace Teams

Raman W. - 5:20 pacer

Raman started running in his mid-40's when he finally realized that he is mortal and exercise might actually be a good idea. He now runs distances from 13.1 to 100 miles, but still considers his greatest achievement to be the first half marathon he completed. (Longview) His favorite thing about the running community is how inclusive it is. Everyone is at a different place in their journey, and runners of all abilities respect that. Some of his best races were due to the pacers he ran with, through their encouragement, smart race strategy or from just plain spite in deciding that the annoying pacer was not going to beat him. One way or another, he hopes to do the same for others.
Marathon PR: 4:17

5:40 SmartPace Teams

Leah E. - 5:40 pacer

A "retired" collegiate water polo player, Leah began running in 2009 when she realized she was ready for a new challenge in life. She successfully ran her first half marathon in 2010 with the help of a fabulous SmartPacer and has embraced the philosophy of start slow/finish strong ever since. She favors the full marathon distance but is happy to run any distance as long as she has someone to chat with over the miles. Leah believes that anyone can be a runner and that a mile is a mile no matter how fast (or slow) it's run. She looks forward to meeting you on your 13.1 mile journey together!
Marathon PR: 4:17

6:00 SmartPace Teams

Kelly P. - 6:00 pacer

Kelly has been pacing half and full marathons since 2009. She follows the Smart Pacing philosophy - starting out slow to warm up, taking it easy on the uphills, taking advantage of the downhills, and walking through every aid station to fully hydrate. She is fully focused on helping each runner achieve their race goal while having fun along the way. Her goal is to have her runners cross the finish line ahead of her with a smile on their face!
Marathon PR: 4:23:41

The Garmin SmartPacing Team

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SmartPacing is organized by The Runners's Edge in Kansas City and The Runners's Edge of the Rockies in Denver, with support from Races2Remember.com.