St. Louis gives you a Saturday-morning marathon through the heart of the city, starting at 7:00 a.m. downtown near the Gateway Arch riverfront. The course rolls more than people expect, roughly 1,000 feet of climbing on mostly out-and-back legs that take you past Busch Stadium and through historic neighborhoods such as Soulard and past Forest Park, so train for hills rather than a flat personal best. The brick warehouses and shaded older streets make the middle miles pleasant; the late climb near mile 25 is the one to save something for. About 1,400 marathoners and 3,700 half marathoners finished in 2026, so you will have company without crowds. Early entry starts at $115, and the 6.5-hour limit suits steady runners and first-timers.
Downtown start and finish near the Gateway Arch riverfront with mostly out-and-back legs and rolling hills, about 1,000 feet of climbing, through neighborhoods such as Soulard and past Forest Park, with a notable climb around mile 25. Course map ↗
Open online (opening date not stated). Early marathon pricing from $115, rising by registration period. Register ↗
- The marathon has a 6.5-hour course limit; the half has 3:15. ↗
- Elevation gain is 984 ft with 967 ft of loss; 4.8% of 2026 finishers ran Boston-qualifying times. ↗
- 1,409 runners finished the marathon in 2026, up from 474 in 2021. ↗
- Runners pass Gateway Arch National Park and Busch Stadium and run through Soulard and Forest Park. ↗
- Early marathon entry starts at $115. ↗
Checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site before booking travel.