Overview
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend draws approximately 1,846 marathon finishers each December through Tennessee's blues capital while raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The course passes Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Mississippi River bluffs on rolling Memphis terrain. December's mild Mid-South winter and the hospital's lifesaving mission make it America's most charitable marathon.
St. Jude Memphis Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
St. Jude Memphis Marathon 2026 race day
The next St. Jude Memphis Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, 5 December 2026 with a 7:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 150 m of climbing on a rolling with moderate climbs layout.
St. Jude Memphis Marathon course route
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon is an urban road that starts and finishes in downtown Memphis near the St. Jude campus. Flatter corridors and river valleys offer the easiest miles, while the moderate climbs through hills, bridges, or bluffs are the tougher sections once fatigue builds. Spectators gather at the start-finish festival and at organised cheer zones through the city centre and along the main boulevards.
St. Jude Memphis Marathon elevation profile
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon course is rolling with moderate climbs over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
St. Jude Memphis Marathon course videos
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Introduction to the Series: History of Memphis Running
Start Line Celebration | St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the St. Jude Memphis Marathon elevation profile?
- The St. Jude Memphis Marathon has 150 metres of total climbing and 140 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is rolling with moderate climbs, with 10 metres of net climb from start to finish.
- How long is the St. Jude Memphis Marathon?
- The St. Jude Memphis Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Starts and finishes in downtown Memphis near the St.
- What time does the St. Jude Memphis Marathon start?
- The 2026 St. Jude Memphis Marathon starts at 7:00 am local time on Saturday, 5 December 2026. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.stjude.org/memphis-marathon confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
- What is the St. Jude Memphis Marathon's charitable mission?
- The race raises funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which treats children with cancer at no cost to families. Many runners are fundraising heroes for the hospital.
- Does the Memphis marathon pass Beale Street?
- Yes. Beale Street, the home of the blues, is a centrepiece of the course through downtown Memphis.
- Is the Memphis marathon hilly?
- The Mississippi River bluffs add rolling terrain with moderate climbs. Downtown Memphis is not flat but not mountainous.
- What weather should I expect in Memphis in December?
- December in Memphis is mild Mid-South winter, often 5–12 °C (41–54 °F). Occasional cold snaps are possible.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
