Going the Distance for Brain Injury Memorial Day Run

Presented by The Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City (BIAKS-GKC), the Memorial Day run is celebrating its 39th year. Formerly the Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury, it is one of the oldest runs in the Kansas City area and attracts close to 1,000 runners and spectators of all ages each year.  The course begins and ends in beautiful Loose Park in Kansas City and goes through some historic neighborhoods surrounding the park.  All particpants receive a finishers medal and compete for age group and overall awards.  Custom event shirts can be added to your registration for an additional $7.

This run focuses on the successes and challenges of those affected by brain injury. It celebrates their courage and their families’ determination to move forward after a brain injury.  Every 18.5 seconds a brain injury occurs in this country. It is the number one cause of death and disability in children and young adults. Over 21,000 individuals in Kansas and the Greater KC area were affected by a brain injury last year.

Proceeds from the run help BIAKS-GKC (www.biaks.org) provide vital programming, including referral services, prevention programming, support and education for survivors, loved ones and brain injury professionals.

The Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City (BIAKS-GKC) is the only non-profit in the state of Kansas and the Greater Kansas City metro area solely serving individuals who have sustained a brain injury, their family members and the professionals who treat them. Brain injuries don’t discriminate. They can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone.

BIAKS-GKC provides information and resources, training, support group information, education on preventing brain injuries and an advocacy voice for legislative issues.

Brain Injury Support Groups
Information & Referrals
Family & Survivor Seminars
Professional Development
More Resources
Prevention

Learn more at https://biaks.org.

This year, the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City (BIAKS-GKC) is proud to recognize an extraordinary individual at the 2026 Going the Distance Run: AmyRenee Sheldon.

AmyRenee is a graduate of Kansas State University. During her undergraduate studies, she survived a near-fatal car crash that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Despite facing discrimination, misinformation, and widespread misunderstanding about brain injuries, she persevered. AmyRenee holds a BS in Secondary Education and a BA in Elementary Education, and she will earn her MS in Special Education this May. She currently works as a paraprofessional in a local school district, supporting students as they learn and grow.

In addition to her work in education, AmyRenee has been a cast member of the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, where she performed her own stage show for four seasons. She also has a trained, registered therapy dog that she enjoys taking to various facilities. In her free time, AmyRenee enjoys reading, sewing, learning, and cheering on her Kansas State Wildcats. EMAW!

All participants will receive custom finishers medals and compete for age group and overall awards! The top male and female finishers in both the 5K and the 10K, together with the top masters male and female finisher, will receive an award along with the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups: 10 and under, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80+.

Packet Pick up will be held on Saturday May 23 from 10am to 2pm, at a location to be determined. Leftovers from packet pickup can be picked up on race day at the race site from 7am to 8am.

Stay tuned for the 2026 event shirt!