Greater St. Louis Marathon Showcases Why St. Louis Is One of America’s Great Running Cities

March 5, 2026

The event returns April 11 with iconic course, vibrant neighborhoods, and growing running community

ST. LOUIS (March 5, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — As spring running season gets underway, GO! St. Louis is spotlighting what makes the Gateway City one of the premier running destinations in the Midwest ahead of the Saturday, April 11 Greater St. Louis Marathon.

From the Gateway Arch and downtown skyline to historic neighborhoods and scenic parkways, St. Louis offers a race experience that blends iconic landmarks with a passionate and growing running community. The Greater St. Louis Marathon brings thousands of participants and spectators together each spring, showcasing the city’s energy, accessibility, and deep-rooted commitment to health and wellness.

“St. Louis has quietly become one of the best running cities in the country,” said Mona Vespa, President of GO! St. Louis. “Our running community is welcoming, our course highlights some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and race weekend brings an incredible sense of pride and momentum to the entire region.”

Running is experiencing a nationwide surge in popularity, with races of all sizes selling out faster and attracting larger fields than ever before. According to industry trade organization Running USA, the sport’s accessibility is being buoyed by newfound opportunities for runners to connect and train together, which is fueled by a widespread rise in regional run clubs.

“We’re absolutely feeling the surge here in St. Louis. People of all ages and backgrounds are discovering running, not just as a sport, but as a way to connect, improve their health, and be part of something bigger,” said Ricky Hughes, founder of the STL Run Crew. Founded in 2020, the group was one of the country’s early models of the run crew model, which has now spread nationwide.

The Greater St. Louis Marathon course offers runners a tour of the city, with scenic views, energetic neighborhood support, and a finish line celebration that reflects the spirit of St. Louis. Whether participants are local or traveling from across the Midwest and beyond, the race weekend provides a memorable destination running experience.

“St. Louis is a city of neighborhoods, and on race weekend, you’re not just moving through an abstract skyline – you’re running past neighborhood bars and restaurants you’ll want to check out post-race or whizzing past incredible historical sites,” said Jason Pippi, a founder of Three Run Four^TM, a local running group whose members have been training for the marathon and other weekend races for months.

In a GO! St. Louis-commissioned economic impact study funded by PNC, Saint Louis University’s Community Planning Lab found the Greater St. Louis Marathon supports nearly $4.5 million in total economic activity annually within the City of St. Louis.

Beyond race day, St. Louis continues to see growth in run clubs, training programs, and community fitness initiatives that make it an ideal place to train year-round. The city’s parks, trails, and active lifestyle culture contribute to a strong and supportive environment for runners of all levels.

“I have friends who have moved across the country to some of the most exciting places and I am constantly surprised when they tell me that St. Louis is still their favorite running community,” said Mark Spewak, Founder/Owner of Spewak Training and President of Spewak Racing. Many participants in his programs will be part of the upcoming event weekend.

Spewak continued: “We have such a welcoming community with so many fantastic options for places to train. The variety of different clubs and organizations that lead weekly runs makes it so easy to stay engaged in our running community. The Greater St. Louis Marathon does an outstanding job bringing St. Louis runners together to celebrate all the amazing things our town has to offer.”

Race weekend, scheduled for April 11, will include the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and Family Fun Run events that bring together participants, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators from across the region.

“The energy you’ll feel running through St. Louis is unmatched by any other city and the Greater St. Louis Marathon weekend only amps that up tenfold. Our people cheer with their whole heart. We show up. We support. We scream. You won’t just feel support. You’ll feel an entire city pulling you forward, block by block, daring you to find out what you’re capable of,” said Pippi.

For more information about the Greater St. Louis Marathon and to register, visit www.gostlouis.org.

About GO! St. Louis

GO! St. Louis is a nonprofit organization that encourages individuals and families in the St. Louis region to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle year-round through community collaborations, school-based programming and the creation of accessible fitness events.