A Running and Walking Club for Women

Welcome!

Are you ready to train for your first 5K? Set a personal record in your favorite distance? Or shed a few pounds? Whatever your personal walking or running goals may be, you’ll find friends among the women of KC Express.  We offer free Saturday walking and running groups, hold monthly meetings on topics relevant to women’s health and fitness, and host the popular Mother’s Day 5K.  Join us and stay healthy while having fun!

    News and Events
    • SMMC Training Team t-shirt Off to a great start

      8 May 2012

      Each year, KC Express partners with the Women’s Training Team at Shawnee Mission Medical Center to offer a friendly and supportive group program to help women get across the MD5K Finish Line. This year, over 200 women had the courage to start, made the commitment to get more active, and stayed with it to train for the 5K distance. Congratulations to all! We hope to see you at the Mother’s Day 5K, at a future KC Express meeting, at one of our Saturday group runs or walks, or at other area races.

    • KCE-at-the-Go-Red-Luncheon Go Red for Women

      5 May 2012

      At the Go Red for Women Luncheon & Health Expo on May 4, we had a great time talking with the ladies about leading an active, healthy lifestyle. There was a lot of interest in our Mother’s Day 5K!

      And, our shoe tags were very popular—a simple but important way to educate women about the importance of carrying ID when running/walking/biking. Thanks to Dawn Green, Virginia Harmer, and Kelly Pfannenstiel for staffing our booth.

    • SheKC MD5K in the news

      30 Apr 2012

      Check out the May/June issue of SheKC! There’s great story about MD5K on page 15, written by our own Jennifer Fox.

    • Tere-and-Annie-in-KC-Star-article A wonderful article! An encouraging article! An informative article!

      31 Mar 2012

      See the fabulous KC Star feature about getting started in running with KC Express rockstars Tere Gathright and Annie Schroeder, words of wisdom from Kelly Pfannenstiel, info on the Women’s Training Team at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, our own 5K training schedule, and more! It’s our mission to promote women’s health through fitness; thanks, KC Star, for helping us!

    • shoes Got Shoes?

      30 Mar 2012

      Check out our new CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHOES flyer, designed to help those new to running or walking make their most important equipment purchase.

    • 30th-birthday-cake KC Express is 30! You’re invited on the road trip!

      13 Mar 2012

      September 22-24: Women’s Half-Marathon and 5K in Nashville, TN. KC Express got its name because our founders shipped themselves around the country like an “express package” to women-only races. So it’s fitting that we celebrate our 30th birthday with a trip to this event, sponsored by Women’s Running magazine. Travel plans are being formulated now; more info here. Visit http://womenshalfmarathon.com/nashville/for race information.

    • butterfinger-blondies First Bites

      13 Mar 2012

      Our monthly meetings always start with a light dinner, provided by KCE Hospitality Chairs Mary Allison and Cecelia Parle. And if it’s your birthday that month, we ask you to bring a treat/dessert to share. By popular request, here is the recipe for Butterfinger Blondies Kelly Pfannenstiel brought to the March meeting for her birthday.

    • birthday-photos What a party!

      13 Mar 2012

      KC Express celebrated 30 years with a birthday party on March 1. What a great night this was! June Moore planned the outstanding event, and Cecelia Parle coordinated fabulous food from Eden Alley Cafe. About 200 attended, just the right size to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and sense of community.

       

      Lara Moritz from KMBC TV 9 emceed the evening’s festivities. KC Express founding member Mary Edwards told how the club began, training and traveling together, to run women-only marathons in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Paris. Their efforts not only helped get the women’s marathon included in the Olympics, they also formed friendships for a lifetime.

       

      Special guests Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell, the nationally known authors of Run Like A Mother, debuted their new book, Train Like A Mother. They gave a talk about how to believe in yourself as a runner, full of practical examples and humor. They were the perfect speakers to highlight the KC Express tagline “Stay healthy while having fun.” Keep up with Sarah and Dimity at anothermotherrunner.com.
       

      KCE Prez & Prez Elect Alisa Mueller and Katrina Allen enjoyed welcoming guests. For more info, here’s a great recap by Rebecca Sommers. Finally, we owe Shawnee Mission Medical Center a big thank you for partnering with us in honor of our birthday.

    • DSC_3129 Daisy has a new sprout

      11 Feb 2012

      Lisa Boos, shown here being Daisy at the 2011 MD5K, had a bouncing baby boy on Feb. 6. His name is Jonah William and he was 9 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches long. Lisa was the first Race Director for our Mother’s Day 5K when we started it eight years ago. Congratulations Lisa!

    • IMG_0744 Kelly Pfannenstiel named Outstanding Mentor

      6 Feb 2012

      Kelly Pfannenstiel, 2011 KCE President, received the Outstanding Mentor Award from WIN for KC (Women’s Intersport Network for Kansas City) on Feb. 3. This program recognizes local women for their community contributions and achievements in sports. We’re proud to add Kelly’s name to the impressive list of Express members who have been past WIN for KC award recipents: Mary Edwards, Debra Callaway, Ann Nelson, Paula Labart, Trudy Nepstad, Sherri Wattenbarger, Jean Nearing, Mary Haley, Amy Turissini, Terry Franzen, Jean Buchanan, Verna Troutman, Lou Ann Keyes, Mary Otte, and Fritzi Hazelrigg. We are so lucky to know you all!

    • IMG_0276 KCE ♥ WNR

      14 Jan 2012

      Dress yourself in red and head over to Amy Medina’s on Feb. 15 when KC Express will host the popular Wednesday Night Run as our “valentine” to the running community. It’s a 2-10 mile run/walk, followed by a potluck dinner. We encourage everyone to wear a red dress (yes, guys too!), the symbol of women’s heart health. You’ll eat some delish mac ‘n cheese, and see some amazing outfits! More info at the Feb KCE meeting, or email kcexpresspres@gmail.com.

    • _MG_9970 Leaders of the pack

      31 Dec 2011

      Happy New Year! Your 2012 KC Express officers are (L to R): President Elect-Alisa Mueller; Secretary-Virginia Harmer; President-Katrina Allen; Treasurer-Melissa Stringer. With this team in charge, we’re off to a great start.

    • IMG_3326 Janet Baker is our 2011 Pace Setter

      9 Dec 2011

      Congratulations to Janet Baker, who received the Phyllis Bahner Pace Setter Award from Janice Young Miller at our December meeting. The award is given annually to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to our club. Janet is very deserving! Read all about it: Phyllis Bahner Pacesetter presentation.