Get ready to run. The 26th annual Greater St. Louis Marathon returns to downtown on Saturday, April 11, bringing around 10,000 participants together for one of the city’s most high-energy and inspiring annual events.

The weekend offers events for all abilities. In addition to the half and full marathons, there’s a one-mile family fun run, a 5k, and a 10k. All registrants receive an event shirt, a finisher’s medal, on-course support, and access to a finish-line party outside Energizer Park.

For an extra $125, you can opt for the VIP package, which includes prime parking, VIP-only bathrooms, pre-race coffee and snacks, and a post-race breakfast.

A Tour of St. Louis
The marathon’s route serves as a citywide tour, highlighting many of St. Louis’ most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks. The course winds through Soulard, the Anheuser-Busch complex, Lafayette Square, Ballpark Village, Union Station, Grand Center, and along the riverfront. Runners also get to pass directly under the Gateway Arch.

“You’ll come away feeling like you know the city and have experienced some of the people,” says Mona Vespa, president of GO! St. Louis, which puts on the event. “There’s no better way to see the uniqueness of St. Louis than by getting a tour on foot.”

Along the route, neighborhood cheer squads and porch parties turn race day into a full-blown celebration. “One of the most significant things we’ve been able to do is keep the course consistent,” Vespa says. “Neighborhoods know this is happening and end up throwing parties. That energy and community support is so important to the race experience.”

The finish-line party features local food and, ahem, hydration. (GO! St. Louis)

Everyone Can Race
Good news, walkers and slower joggers: New this year is an “Early Start” option for those who expect to complete the marathon in over six hours or the half-marathon in over three hours and fifteen minutes.

“We added Early Start so folks who need some extra time get an additional hour,” says Vespa. “Any way to make the race more accessible is a great thing.”

So whether you’re chasing an ambitious PR or dipping your toes into the running world for the first time, the Greater St. Louis Marathon offers the ideal opportunity to experience the neighborhoods, landmarks, and spirit of the Gateway City.

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Maxing Out
How to make the most of marathon weekend.

Thursday and Friday, April 9-10
The weekend begins early at the Greater St. Louis Marathon Expo at America’s Center, where runners can pick up their race packets, browse gear from vendors, and take in the pre-race excitement. Admission is free and open to the public.

Tip: Embrace being downtown. “Even for local runners, there are great things happening downtown,” says Vespa. “The more people stay there and grab coffee and breakfast, the more we’re all going to appreciate downtown and all the work everyone’s doing to build up the area.”

Saturday, April 11
Head to the start line on Market Street and run your heart out! Afterward, celebrate your accomplishment at the finish-line party with live music and local food and drinks. If you opted for the VIP package, dig into that post-race breakfast.

Tip: There’s a lot happening on marathon weekend, so read all pre-race communication from GO! St. Louis to stay in the know.

To register for the Greater St. Louis Marathon, go here.

Author: Stephanie Zeilenga is a frequent contributor to Terrain.

Top image: Courtesy of GO! St. Louis.