Description
We are returning to our roots! The Tortoise & Hare fundraiser actually began many years ago as a walk, and this year’s event recaptures our origins with the Walk for Mercy. Although there will be no 5K race this year, we hope past years’ runners will also join us in the circle drive at the Hall of Waters, where the two-mile course begins and ends .
Early t-shirt pick-up will be held at the Good Samaritan Center from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 20. Late registration/t-shirt pickup will be held at the Hall of Waters starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 21.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Be sure to register by Friday, June 6, 2025, to be guaranteed a t-shirt. Late registrations after June 6 won’t be guaranteed to receive a shirt.
HAVE MORE FUN WITH A TEAM of your best friends or co-workers! Create a team of five, and each participant will receive a $6 discount (only $24 -- like signing up 4 and getting the 5th member free). You might even want to get artistic and design some team t-shirts for your group. Team leaders have the option to create a team and register all of the members together, or to allow team members to register individually after the team has been created. (Note: The discount is applied retroactively when the final team member registers.)
Walk for Mercy
As you might guess from our organization’s name, we’re fond of the story Jesus told in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus affirmed that the most important commandment is to love God and neighbor, but a lawyer in the crowd spied a loophole. “Who is my neighbor?” asked the lawyer, and Jesus told this story as an answer to that question.
You know the story. A man is assaulted, robbed, and left for dead along the side of the road. Several religious folks walk by without stopping to help. Finally, a Samaritan passes by and places the man on his donkey to take him to the nearest inn. The Samaritan provides for the man’s medical needs, food, and shelter.
“Who was a neighbor to the man in need?” asks Jesus.
“The one who showed him mercy,” replies the lawyer.
To which Jesus proclaimed: “Go and do likewise.”
When we show mercy to those in need – whether that means providing for their medical needs, easing their hunger, finding shelter, or meeting other needs – we are demonstrating our love for our neighbors. We are obeying the greatest commandment. And we are following Jesus.
Sometimes mercy is as easy as a walk in the park – literally! By joining our walk to support the Good Samaritan Center, you are showing mercy to our neighbors who need our help.
Who Is My Neighbor?
As we walk, we want to proclaim our purpose. So, we encourage you to bring some signs! The more colorful and creative, the better. We’ll be carrying homemade signs on posterboard, with slogans like “Who is My Neighbor?” or “Walk for Mercy”.
High-quality T-shirts
Every participant will receive a high-quality shirt. Registration deadline to receive shirts is Friday, June 6, 2025.
Two-Mile Walking Course
The Tortoise & Hare Walk for Mercy will begin in the circle drive in front of the Hall of Waters in downtown Excelsior Springs at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025. We will stroll west one block on Spring Street, then turn onto Marietta Street and follow it south to the start of the Fishing River Linear Park trail. Walkers will enjoy the scenic view on the paved pathway along Fishing River all the way to Lover’s Lane, then walk on Lover’s Lane as it winds through East Valley Park. A short walk along Isley Boulevard will loop us back to Marietta Street to return to the Hall of Waters.
The Good Samaritan Center
This annual event supports the work of The Good Samaritan Center. For more than 30 years, the Good Samaritan Center has been dedicated to preventing homelessness and hunger by providing basic life needs and access to life skills for residents in northern Clay County (including Excelsior Springs, Lawson, Kearney and Smithville) and throughout Ray County.
Please consider making an additional donation to The Good Samaritan Center by selecting the blue “Donate” button in the upper left corner, thank you.
Place
201 E. Broadway Avenue
Excelsior Springs, MO US 64024
Race Contact Info
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Directions
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