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2009 Sabates Eye Centers Trolley Run

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A Vision for Giving...A History Of Success. The Trolley Run Story


The Trolley Run Benefits the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit agency in Kansas City, Missouri, whose mission is to prepare you children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with multiple disabilities, to function at their highest potential in the sighted world. CCVI provides a comprehensive program for children, birth through school age, that includes highly specialized instruction, therapies and family education.

The idea for this fundraiser was presented to the Friends of CCVI by the former Michael Forbes Restaurants, Inc., which owned two restaurants, four miles apart in the heart of Kansas City from Waldo to the Plaza. The 4-mile course follows the old streetcar/trolley tracks and hence, the name, Michael Forbes Trolley Run! In 2001 the Trolley Run welcomed a new Title Sponsor, the Sabates Eye Centers. In its nineteen (19) year history, the Trolley Run/Walk has become:

  • The largest 4-mile timed run in the U.S.
  • The largest 4-mile run in the States of Missouri & Kansas
  • The largest 4-mile run in the Greater K.C. Metropolitan Area
  • The first major run in the Kansas City to use "chip" technology for race results

*New record set again in 2007

Since 1998 several records have been broken for a 4-mile U.S. race. The Trolley Run in Kansas City continues to hold these distinctions:

  • Since 1998 Home of Men's 4-mile U.S. best
  • Since 1999 Home of Men's Masters 4-mile U.S. best
  • Since 2001 Home of Women's 4-mile Course record & American record*

A weekend of events leads up to the run itself, which is promoted across the U.S. After the race, the streets of the Plaza are filled with runners, walkers, spectators and families as they enjoy one of the largest "Afterbash" celebrations in the country to include food, music, beverages and massage stations The Kids' run follows the adult Run/Walk and is held in Mill Creek Park. The week following the Trolley Run/Walk we thank all our sponsors at a Post Race Partners Party.

A full year of preparation by over 80 dedicated volunteers working every week culminates on Race Day when approximately 800 volunteers will be on the course working under the direction fo the Trolley Run/Walk Chairman, The Mid-America Running Association, and BDB, Ltd. (professional organization that times, operates and computes the results from the ChampionChip®). Entrants come from 38 states and three countries.

The Trolley Run is the largest annual fundraiser event for the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired. In its nineteen year history, the Trolley Run has grown from 778 runners/walkers and netting $13,000 in 1989 to 9,200 entrants, 800 volunteers and netting $305,000 for CCVI in 2007.

Please join us in Kansas City on April 26, 2009 for the 21st Anniversary Trolley Run.


Partners

Title Partner

Sabates Eye Centers

Sabates Eye Centers

Results from Previous Runs

Did you know …

The first Michael Forbes Trolley Run in 1989 raised $13,000 for CCVI with 778 runners participating. In 2001 the Sabates Eye Centers became title sponsor of the Trolley Run which remains the largest four-mile run in the U.S. as well as the home of the U.S. men's and women's four-mile records.