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Hospital Hill Run Announces UMKC Health Sciences District as Presenting Sponsor for 2018

Celebrating 45 years of history, HHR and UMKC continue to enhance and expand KC’s original running event

Kansas City, MO, February 8, 2018 – The Hospital Hill Run (HHR) announced today that the newly formed UMKC Health Sciences District will serve as the presenting sponsor for the 2018 Hospital Hill Run scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 1 – 2. 

HHR has a long history with many of the healthcare providers and facilities that comprise the new UMKC Health Sciences District. Partnership in the city’s oldest running event is a natural extension of those existing relationships. Participants will benefit from this expanded relationship as health providers will be working with HHR over the coming months to provide training tips, health and wellness information, and more leading up to the event. And as in years past, medical volunteers from Truman Medical Center, Children’s Mercy, and UMKC School of Medicine will be on site for the weekend’s events to address any medical needs. 

 “The UMKC Health Sciences District includes a dozen health institutions along the Hospital Hill Run race routes,” said Margaret Gibson, the event’s Medical Director. Gibson, an assistant professor for the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, is a physician affiliated with Children’s Mercy and Truman Medical Centers and the team physician for UMKC Athletics. “Both district partners and the run also share a long history of promoting health and wellness in our community, so it’s a strong, natural partnership.”

The UMKC Health Sciences District, formed in 2017, is a cooperative partnership of 12 neighboring health-care institutions on Hospital Hill: the University of Missouri-Kansas City and its School of MedicineSchool of Nursing and Health StudiesSchool of Pharmacy and School of DentistryTruman Medical CentersChildren’s MercyKansas City, Missouri Health DepartmentMissouri Department of Mental Health Center for Behavioral MedicineJackson County Medical ExaminerDiastole Scholars’ Center; and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. The district collaborates on research, grants, community outreach and shared wellness for employees, faculty, students, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Now in its 45th year, HHR has hosted world class runners, Olympians, and over 170,000 athletes of all levels from across the globe. This new partnership ensures that HHR will continue to enhance its legacy as one of the premier endurance events in the United States. 

“The Hospital Hill Run was founded by Dr. E. Grey Dimond, founder of the UMKC School of Medicine to promote health and fitness in Kansas City,” said Beth Salinger, Race Director of Hospital Hill Run. “This exciting partnership with the UMKC Health Sciences District will continue his vision of bringing health and wellness to the Kansas City Region.”

About Hospital Hill Run
The Hospital Hill Run began in 1974 with 99 athletes paying a $1 registration fee to run a 6.8-mile course at Crown Center. Today, it has evolved into a weekend event that hosts thousands of athletes over two days and three different event distances. The 2018 event will be the 45th annual race and includes three distances: a 5K on Friday night, followed by a 7.7-mile and a half marathon on Saturday morning. Those who wish to challenge themselves further can compete in both the 5K on Friday night and either the 7.7-mile or half marathon on Saturday, called the Hospital Hill Run Re-RUN. All events begin and end on Grand Boulevard directly in front of Crown Center. A two-day health and fitness expo at the Crown Center Exhibit Hall, a Pasta Party, and two post-race parties open to all will round-out race weekend. In 2017 The Hospital Hill Run Foundation made a $25,000 donation to the Kansas City Police Action League, the 2018 donation will be announced soon.


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