Northeast News
October 31, 2013

Runners can expect favorable weather for this year’s Nov. 3 Cliff Hanger in Historic Northeast. According to the Weather Channel, the high for Sunday will be 63 degrees and mostly cloudy.

Every year, hundreds of runners flock to the Cliff Drive Scenic Byway for the race which has been going strong for nearly 30 years.

Unlike previous years, this year’s race will start and finish on the  campus of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB) which is the naming sponsor and host site this year. The start and finish will be located at Cliff Drive and Highland Avenue.

The 8K start will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday and at 9 a.m. for the 5K start. Both races will be timed and awarded separately. The 8K and 5K are part of The Kansas City Track Club Race Series., but only the 8K is a part of the MARA Grand Prix. For both races, awards will go to the top three male and female finishers and the top three in age groups 14 to 19, 75 to 79, and 80-plus. Special award categories will also be used for those under 14.

Runners can also form teams if they so choose and teams can be large or small. The three fastest times per team will be counted and categories are: male, female, co-ed and largest team.

Awards will be given during the post-race pancake breakfast at the KCUMB student cafeteria. Breakfast is free to runner participants and costs $5 for family and friends.

Parking will be available at KCUMB, 1750 E. Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Participants may park in any parking lot, except those blocked off by race organizers.

To register for the race, visit https://register.bazumedia.com/reg/form?eventID=2891

For more information about the race, visit http://www.cliffhangerrun.com/

Cliff Hanger benefits local non-profits
Over the years, the race has focused on giving back to the Northeast and began as a fundraiser for the Assumption Church pre-school and the UMKC school for the handicapped. Organizations that have benefited from the run have included a preschool, food pantries and Gladstone Elementary School.

In 2008, Northeast Neighbor To Neighbor (http://nnncares.org/) became the beneficiary. Northeast Neighbor to Neighbor (NNN) provides financial and other support services to the medically underserved residents of the Historic Northeast neighborhoods. NNN provides this support by identifying and creating access to needed health care services, coordinating referrals and providing funding for the services, educating clients regarding their medical needs and available medical services, and assisting clients in navigating the healthcare system.