ST. JUDE MEMPHIS HALF MARATHON

This page describes our in-person event.

Consider registering for the St. Jude Virtual Half Marathon.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our in-person half marathon will not be held this year.

 
 

2019 event summary

The half marathon is half the length and twice the fun of the full marathon. Starting outside FedExForum, runners will get a tour of downtown Memphis, and run through the St. Jude campus, where patients, their families and other onlookers gather to cheer. Our slightly hilly course is perfect for a PR, and you’ll cross the finish line to the cheers of spectators on Union Avenue before joining the finish festival at AutoZone Park. See restrictions.

There are 11 hydration stations, each with fluids and portalets. All half marathon participants will receive a race number with timing tag, a clear gear bag, an official long-sleeved tech shirt and a finisher medal, among other amenities. See full list.

Race day weather: Average high/low: 56°F/38°F

 
 
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2019 location

B.B. King at Lt. Lee Ave. (in front of FedExForum)
Memphis, TN

See Course Map

Download course map with turn-by-turn directions.

 
 
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2019 date and times

Sat., Dec. 7, 2019
8 a.m.
Wheelchair start 7:55 a.m.

 
 
 
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Registration fee

Registration is currently only available for the virtual half marathon.

 
 
 
 

Age requirement

Half marathon participants must be 14 years or older as of race day.

 

Course time limit

The half marathon course limit is 4 hours 20 minutes (approximately a 20-minute-per-mile pace).

See details.

 

Course elevation

Start elevation: 236 ft.
Finish elevation: 236 ft.
Highest elevation: 285 ft.
Lowest elevation: 220 ft.

 

Fundraising options

Register at one of our committed fundraising levels for exclusive event experiences and benefits.

Register during general registration, and fundraising is not required. Those who choose to fundraise, however, are eligible for fundraising recognition items.

 
 

Corrals and pace teams

The marathon and half marathon have a staggered wave start. All participants will be assigned a corral based on their projected finish time. Your corral will be printed on your race number.

Pace teams for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend are coordinated by volunteer members of the Memphis Runners Track Club (MRTC). Teams will be organized for 17 target finish times.

See Pace Teams

 
 

Walkers

Walkers who can maintain a 20-minute/mile pace (approximately a 4:20 finish time) are welcome to participate in the half marathon. The course and hydration stations will close on this pace. Walkers who cannot maintain this pace may be asked to complete the race on sidewalks, without traffic control support.

For safety reasons, walkers are asked to start the race in the last corral, behind all runners. Walkers must complete the entire course to record a time and receive a medal.

 
 

Elite athletes

While prize money is not offered, the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend will waive the entry fee in the marathon and half marathon for elite athletes.

Find out if you qualify and how to apply.

 
 

Wheelchair athletes

Wheelchair athletes will receive the following:

  • early start with police escort
  • special restroom facilities near start, finish and throughout course
  • special parking near finish (contact race office for details)
  • trophies to the top three male and female finishers in each race

See wheelchair specifications.

If registering as a wheelchair athlete, please contact marathon@stjude.org.

 
 

Medical support

There will be a full emergency field hospital at the finish. There will also be medical support on the course, with nurses at several of the hydration stations throughout the full and half marathon courses.

A course doctor will be in the race director's vehicle throughout the race and will be able to respond to emergencies within a few minutes. There will also be 15 ambulances mobile on the course.

Runners who must drop out will be picked up at one of the hydration stations, all of which are in radio contact with the main medical unit.

 
 

Timing, results and awards

We use two timing methods:

  • gun time – the time it takes you to finish the race based on when the start gun is fired
  • chip time – the time it takes you to finish the race based on when you cross the start line

Results for the Open (Overall) Division will be based on gun time. For all other divisions, age groups and races, the results will be based on chip time. Runners will be eligible for awards only in the specific race they registered for.

Final official race results will be posted on our website no later than December 10, 2020.

Overall and age group awards will be presented to the top finishers in their respective categories. See award categories.

Please contact Best Times CCT with any timing/results questions at results@besttimescct.com.

 
 

Training

Our complete training plan — which includes a schedule, expert tips and training videos — has everything you need to get to the finish line. 

See Our Half Marathon Training Plan

The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend has teamed up with Breakaway Running to offer free group training runs on Saturday mornings. See time and location information on the Breakaway Marathon Training Group Facebook page.

 
 

Certifications and sanctioning

The marathon is sanctioned and supervised by MRTC, which is a member of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) and USA Track & Field (USATF).

The course has been certified by USATF: #TN18053MS.

 
 

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