Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our race will look different this year. Read the latest updates.

 
 

ST. JUDE MEMPHIS MARATHON

 
 

Event summary

The marathon follows a scenic Boston-qualifying course through the city of Memphis, starting outside FedExForum. Near mile 5, the course passes through the St. Jude campus, where patients, their families and other onlookers gather to cheer. Runners will also pass through Overton Park, scenic neighborhoods and several Memphis historic areas before finishing in front of a crowd on Union Avenue. After the race, participants can join the finish festival at AutoZone Park. 

The start and finish lines are in the heart of downtown Memphis, located near a dozen hotels, plenty of restaurants and historic Beale Street. There are 24 hydration stations, all with fluids and portalets. Spirit stations are throughout the course, featuring Memphis music and other entertainment. See restrictions.

All 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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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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Date and times

Sat., Dec. 5, 2020
8 a.m.
Wheelchair start 7:55 a.m.

 
 
 
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Registration fee

General registration price information coming soon.

 
 
 
 

Age requirement

Marathon participants must be 16 years or older as of race day.

 

Course time limit

The marathon course limit is  6½ hours.

See details.

 

Course elevation

Start elevation: 236 ft.
Finish elevation: 236 ft.
Highest elevation: 295 ft.
Lowest elevation: 220 ft.

See elevation chart.

 

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.

Walkers are strongly discouraged from participating in the marathon.

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

If you’re an experienced marathoner and interested in leading a pace team, please contact our pace team coordinator, David Tuttle, at tutt.dr@gmail.com.

 
 

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 18-week training plan — which includes a full schedule, expert tips and training videos — has everything you need to get to the finish line. 

See Our Full 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.

 
 

Qualifying for Boston

The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is proud to be a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon. Runners who finish with a qualifying time will receive an exclusive St. Jude Memphis Marathon Boston Qualifier T-shirt. Qualifying standards for the Boston Marathon are defined by the Boston Athletic Association. See qualifying times.

 
 

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: #TN18054MS.

This event is sanctioned as a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon.

 
 

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