What began as a limestone mine boring into the cliffs above the Missouri River has become a sprawling underground complex — and home to one of Kansas City's most distinctive races.

The big picture: The annual Groundhog Run winds through miles of tunnels reaching under Worlds of Fun, blending a long-running charity event with a glimpse into the scale and ambition of the Hunt family — one of the richest in America.

• I went to explore how this subterranean world came to be — and to experience it firsthand as a runner.

Zoom in: The race — which took place Sunday — is held at SubTropolis, a business park established by Lamar Hunt in 1964 now totaling more than 9 million square feet of developed space.

• "It's the largest underground business complex in the world," development firm Hunt Midwest communications manager Zach Murdock tells Axios, adding that he doubts even a secret military base would be as big.

Context: The development followed Hunt's move to Kansas City, a relocation that reshaped the region with the founding of the Chiefs.

• Hunt founded Hunt Midwest and later built Worlds of Fun on top of SubTropolis.
• The race route, Murdock says, passes beneath the Mamba roller coaster — a detail I was grateful to learn after the fact.
• The race started in 1982 as a benefit for Ability KC, then known as Children's TLC, to fuel donations that help people with physical disabilities.

Between the lines: The Hunt family found wealth by digging into the ground even before SubTropolis, with Lamar Hunt's father striking it big in the oil business.

• As of early 2025, the Hunt family was worth $24.8 billion — with more than $7 billion coming from SubTropolis and the Chiefs.

What's inside: Massive 25-foot-wide stone pillars prop up the ceiling (ground?), each one numbered.

• "Street" names include Hushpuckney, named after a regional type of rock. The speed limit is 15 mph — which I didn't quite reach.
• Unlit tunnels blocked by barriers and rubble disappear into inky darkness.

💭 Travis' thought bubble: Between a runner dressed as a bat and a gopher mascot, it wasn't hard to remember where I was — more than 100 feet underground.

Goat, oxtail, whole snapper and salmon share the menu at a Midtown restaurant that blends Caribbean and Ethiopian cooking.

Why it matters: We're starting Axios KC's February spotlight on Black-owned businesses at Black Garlic, a restaurant that stands out for the sheer range of what comes out of its kitchen, from Haitian staples to Ethiopian tibs.

What to expect: Chef Cherven Desauguste runs a kitchen that leans into protein, bright acidity and spice that builds.

• The Caribbean menu features slow-cooked meats and smoky flavors, seasoned to add some heat and topped with rich sauces.
• The Ethiopian dishes include a lineup of tibs (including chicken and lamb), joined by misir wot and mushroom tibs, all designed for eating with injera.
• This is a rum bar, so expect tropical drinks that lean on the sweeter side.

What to try: I tried the Surf Duo, which pairs seared salmon and shrimp with caramelized onions, Brussels sprouts and roasted potatoes, finished with a lemon butter sauce ($34).

• The hibiscus mojito mixes fresh lime, Bacardi Lime, Bacardi Silver, hibiscus and mint and manages to taste clean and refreshing rather than sweet and heavy like most rum cocktails ($16).

Keep reading

⚾️ Tonight, the KC MLB Urban Youth Academy will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day with mentorship and sports clinics designed to empower young girls. (Press release)

🎭 Missouri approved $3 million in tax credits for Starlight Theatre, meaning residents who donated to the venue can get half of their contribution back as a state tax credit. (Press release)

⛳️ Prairie Villages' former Macy's has a new tenant — a golf game startup called GolfTRK, featuring high-tech simulators. (Kansas City Business Journal)

It's been more than a week since a winter storm brought snowfall and bitter cold to KC — so why are some sidewalks still slick with icy snow?

Why it matters: Folks shouldn't have to walk around fearful of hurting themselves or their pride due to a painful and embarrassing slip.

Zoom in: Kansas City code states property owners are required to clear snow and ice from their surrounding sidewalks "within a reasonable time."

• Public Works officer Ryan McMonigle tells Axios that sidewalks should be cleared within a couple of days, but city spokesperson Sherae Honeycutt acknowledges the rules don't define a specific time frame.
• Snow removal falls into nuisance code, which requires offenses first be reported to the city. Then, the Neighborhood Preservation Division sends notice to the owner.

Yes, but: An offending owner has 10 days to take corrective action, per the city's website.

• Only if the problem persists (and doesn't melt first) will the city act, sending a crew to clear the walk and billing the owner for the work.

Between the lines: KC doesn't stay under 32 degrees for long, meaning property owners inclined to flout the rules probably just wait it out.

• The city declined to weigh in on whether the current code's timeline was reasonable.

What we're watching: Upcoming temps in the 50s, which will (hopefully) take care of the issue.

Household incomes in some states exploded over the past 50 years compared to others, per a report from the Urban Institute.

Zoom in: Kansas' household income rose 45.8% in that time, per the study.

• Missouri's only rose by 13.3%. That's after adjusting for inflation.

Zoom out: The most important factor tied to income change, per the report, is educational attainment.

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