KC Smoke Racing News – Kansas City Smoke

1 month ago

Salina Crossroads Marathon and Half -It was a nasty, soggy and windy day. But 2 Smoke Athletes still went out and killed it.Angela Smith - put up a PR in 3:08:28, taking 3rd OA Female and 1st AG!! She will be sub 3 before we know it in good weather conditions. 🔥Eddie Grier - put up a 1:24:48 in the half, taking 6th OA and 3rd AG. 🔥Great job, both of you!! ... See MoreSee Less

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Kansas City Smoke

1 month ago

Smoke is excited to welcome another great female athlete to the team, Alaina Geren! Alaina recently took home the W at Cliff Hanger 5K.Her bio is below;DOB: 6/23/1992Hometown: Oklahoma City, OKResidence: Kansas City, MOCollege: University of TulsaMedical School: University of OklahomaResidency: University of Rochester in Rochester, New York Cornea Fellowship: UTSW in Dallas, TXProfession: OphthalmologistPersonal Bests:5K - 19:40 (2024, Cliff Hanger)4 mile - 26:28 (2024, Zoo 4 miler)10K - 40:08 (2024, Plaza 10k)Half marathon - 1:29:49 (2024, Rock the Parkway) Marathon - 3:21:09 (2024, Grandma’s Marathon)Personal BioI danced competitively throughout my childhood and running was an activity that my dance teacher always told us to avoid. Because of that, I told myself that I hated running and was terrible at it. However, once I got to college, I wanted to keep being physically active so I started running casually. I signed up for my first 5K during this time and somehow managed to get 2nd out of the women. It was a really small race at my college but it still got me hooked.I continued to run local 5K and 10K races throughout college and then ran my first half marathon in medical school. I had signed up during residency for my first marathon that was set for April 2020 but obviously COVID had other plans. I had postponed the race for the following year but then unfortunately tore my ACL in a ski accident that winter so had to undergo surgery and rehab that spring. But finally after years of delays, I ran my first marathon in Dallas 2022. It certainly wasn’t the best experience but I decided I wanted to try to qualify for Boston. A year later, I got my BQ running the Philadelphia Marathon and I’m so excited to run Boston April 2025.I hope to one day run all 6 majors, and work to continue to trim time off my marathon. ... See MoreSee Less

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Kansas City Smoke

2 months ago

Smoke is excited to welcome Kendall Chenault to the Team. Kendall just finished the KC Garmin Half in 1:32 with a goal of putting up a sub 1:30 in her next half marathon. Below is her bio.Born: December 23, 1996Hometown: Joplin, MOResidence: Overland Park, KSCollege: Missouri Southern State University (Bachelors) & University of Kansas Medical CenterCareer: Cardiovascular SonographerBio: I started running in 8th grade when my science teacher asked if I wanted to run a local 5k and I had no idea how much the journey of becoming a runner that moment moving forward would shape me into the person I am today. In 2011, my family and I survived the EF5 tornado that destroyed my hometown, Joplin, Missouri. I used running as an escape from all the chaos that followed those days after the storm and decided to run my first half marathon in 2015- the Joplin Memorial Run, in honor of the 161 lives lost in the storm. I remember crossing that finish line filled with emotions and ready to do it again. I’ve used the motto “Run for the 161” in the 18 half marathons I’ve completed since then and my love for running continues to grow. Since moving to Kansas City, I’ve met the most amazing running community through Kansas Run Club and 816 and have my eyes set on Chicago 2025 (my first marathon)where I hope to BQ. I want to show others that if you keep showing up for yourself consistently, the results will show for itself.Personal Bests: 5k: 19:38 (2024)10k: 41:16 (2024)Half Marathon: 1:32:08 (Garmin KC Half 2024)Goals: To continue to work hard to reach potentials that I didn’t know were possible while keeping the love of the sport at the center of importance. This upcoming race season I’m focusing on breaking 19 minutes in the 5k, going sub 1:30 in the half marathon and qualifying for Boston at the Chicago 2025 marathon. ... See MoreSee Less

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Kansas City Smoke

2 months ago

We are excited to welcome Kip Nielsen to the team, straight off his 3rd Place finish in the Garmin KC 5K, finishing in 16:53. Kip’s bio is below:Residence: Lenexa, KSCareer: PhD Candidate in Atmospheric Science at the University of KansasColleges: University of Wisconsin - Madison, University of KansasPersonal Bests:Mile - 4:57 (2023)5k - 16:53 (2024 Kansas City Marathon)Marathon - 2:46:43 (2023 Boston Marathon) Personal Bio:I did my first triathlon when I was 4 years old and raced competitively throughout high school and undergrad. I raced in ~9 national championships and a world championship. I switched to distance running in 2019 setting my goals on qualifying for Boston. I now look towards improving my personal bests at every distance while having fun and meeting new people along the way! ... See MoreSee Less

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Kansas City Smoke

2 months ago

Garmin Kansas City MarathonWe had a handful of athletes show up to our hometown marathon this weekend. Some great results as well.Michael Grasing - Marathon - 2:34:30 - 5:54 pace - 2nd Place OA, great finish Michael!Leah Smith - Marathon - 3:25:33 - 7:51 pace - 3rd AG - After not having trained for a marathon for almost a year, decided to jump in last minute and still BQ'd by 5 min. Took 2nd Place in Quarter Mile Challenge, 1st from the Marathon Female Group.Sam Lloyd - Perks - 10K - 36:54 - 5:57 pace - 3rd OA, way to represent Smoke in your first race for the team Sam!Aaron Davidson - Half Marathon - 1:12:24 -5:32 pace - 3rd OA, 1st Place Master's Division. Way to crush it Aaron. #N10Rick Garey - Half Marathon - 1:28:50 - 6:47 pace - 1st AG and 1st in the Quarter Mile Challenge. Awesome Rick!Great job all around, Smoke!If we missed anyone, please let us know, we tried to go through the results to see who all ran it. ... See MoreSee Less

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