Host City - Columbia, MO

What exactly is it about Columbia that makes visitors come back again and again?

Is it because, as one travel writer quipped, Columbia is “fun, funky and surprisingly sophisticated”? Maybe The District’s exciting mix of unique restaurants, specialty stores, galleries, and coffee shops has something to do with it.

Could it be our fantastic festivals? The Twilight Festivals in June and September bring thousands of people to The District for food, fun and entertainment. Art in the Park and the Fall Festival of the Arts are also a big hit. They showcase the work of local, regional and national artists.

And who can forget the Blind Boone Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival, honoring one of Columbia’s most renowned citizens, John William "Blind" Boone? Or the Heritage Festival, featuring exhibits honoring Lewis & Clark’s legacy.

When visitors do come back, they often return on two wheels instead of four! The beautiful MKT trail, starting at 4th & Cherry connects to the state’s 225-mile long Katy Trail State Park and attracts folks from all over the world.

Of course, it could be all about the entertainment. Columbia has indie films at the Ragtag Cinema, classic movies at the Missouri Theater, big performers at the Hearnes Center or the Concert Series at Jesse Hall. Did I mention, the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series, summer concerts at the Mizzou Amphitheater and cutting edge contemporary artists at the Blue Note?

And, to round out the year, visitors always enjoy Columbia’s First Night Celebration complete with an incredible fireworks display at midnight!

I suppose the reasons visitors come back are as unique as Columbia itself! I invite you to come see for yourself. Again and again.

Darwin Hindman
Mayor, City of Columbia

Find out more about Columbia (including travel info)

Race Site - University of Missouri Rec Center

The brand new University of Missouri (MU) Rec Center, open just over a year, offers dozens of amenities found in the best fitness centers. With aspirations to make the new Student Recreation Complex experience more memorable, 100-years worth of buildings were combined and transformed into one community. One of the Rec Center's most impressive offerings is a state-of-the-art, competition pool. The new pool boasts 8 50M lanes or (thanks to a moveable hydraulic floor) 22, 25Y lards, all-tile decks and stadium seating for up to 1,000 spectators.

MU Rec Services also offer student and public use of Stankowski Field, an astroturf field (with soccer goals) surrounded by a running tracking. Race for Sight participants will run from the pool to Stankowski Field, for the Transition... no gravel, mud or holes in this TA!