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The complete, course-first guide

St. Jude Memphis Marathon

Saturday, December 5, 2026 · 8:00 a.m. (marathon and half marathon; the 10K and 5K start at 7:00 a.m.)
B.B. King Blvd. and Beale St., downtown Memphis (10K and 5K start at B.B. King Blvd. and Madison Ave.)

Marathon26.2 miles
Register for the 2026 St. Jude Memphis Marathon →on St. Jude in-house registration
Aerial course portraitMemphisPublished course model · 26.2 miles
Gold marks the published course model. Public-domain aerial photography: USGS and USDA.

The race in 60 seconds

Marathon
Saturday, December 5, 20268:00 a.m. (marathon and half marathon; the 10K and 5K start at 7:00 a.m.)
Start line
B.B. King Blvd. and Beale St., downtown Memphis (10K and 5K start at B.B. King Blvd. and Madison Ave.)Memphis, TN
Modeled elevation
About 720 ft of climbroughly 216 to 297 ft
Course shape
Loop coursestart and finish stay close
Race week weather
39°F to 53°F2016-2025 average, 31% of days wet
Published course limit
6.5 hours14:52 per mile

First run in 2002, St. Jude Memphis Marathon has had time to become part of the city's running calendar. The route is a loop, keeping the start and finish in the same part of the city. The modeled line carries about 720 feet of total climb and ranges from roughly 216 to 297 feet above sea level. Look for FedExForum, The Peabody Hotel, One Commerce Square, First Horizon Bank Tower in the flyover, with recognizable forms modeled from architectural records.

Fly the course

The whole course, built from the best available published route trace and an extruded model of Memphis. Scrub it, change the camera, or let it play. Nothing here is a video: it is drawing the city live.

Route statusCurrent community course trace cross-checked against the published route. GET https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53454976.json loads: name '2025 St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend 2025 Marathon Course.kml', distance 43,122 m (26.79 mi), locality Memphis TN, first point 35.1395,-90.0518 (B.B. King Blvd @ Beale St — matches current start), uploaded 2025-12-05 (day before the 2025 race). A digitized copy of the official 2025 course KML; 2026 course (per official PDFs) keeps the same B.B. King/Beale start and Union Ave finish.

The route line uses the best published course trace available. Public-domain USGS and USDA aerial photography plus USGS 3DEP elevation are baked into RunRace USA, so the flyover makes no paid map API or third-party runtime requests. Buildings, roads, parks and water use OpenStreetMap, ODbL. This is photographic terrain with modeled architecture, not photogrammetry. Bridge approaches, elevations and facade details are approximations; the organizer's published route remains the reference.

The elevation profile

Marathon elevation26.2 miles · about 720 ft of climb
160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 Mile 0.0 to 0.2: -0.1% Mile 0.2 to 0.4: +0.6% Mile 0.4 to 0.6: -0.1% Mile 0.6 to 0.8: -0.2% Mile 0.8 to 1.0: +0.1% Mile 1.0 to 1.2: +0.8% Mile 1.2 to 1.4: -0.7% Mile 1.4 to 1.6: +0.8% Mile 1.6 to 1.8: -0.0% Mile 1.8 to 2.0: -0.3% Mile 2.0 to 2.2: -1.9% Mile 2.2 to 2.4: +0.5% Mile 2.4 to 2.6: +1.2% Mile 2.6 to 2.8: +0.1% Mile 2.8 to 3.0: +0.7% Mile 3.0 to 3.2: +0.3% Mile 3.2 to 3.4: -0.0% Mile 3.4 to 3.6: -1.0% Mile 3.6 to 3.8: +1.8% Mile 3.8 to 4.0: -1.0% Mile 4.0 to 4.2: +0.0% Mile 4.2 to 4.4: -0.2% Mile 4.4 to 4.6: +1.0% Mile 4.6 to 4.8: +0.2% Mile 4.8 to 5.0: -2.4% Mile 5.0 to 5.2: -0.3% Mile 5.2 to 5.4: +0.3% Mile 5.4 to 5.6: -0.1% Mile 5.6 to 5.8: -0.9% Mile 5.8 to 6.0: -0.0% Mile 6.0 to 6.2: +3.4% Mile 6.2 to 6.4: -1.1% Mile 6.4 to 6.6: -0.4% Mile 6.6 to 6.8: -0.9% Mile 6.8 to 7.0: -0.9% Mile 7.0 to 7.2: -0.2% Mile 7.2 to 7.4: +0.5% Mile 7.4 to 7.6: +0.8% Mile 7.6 to 7.8: -1.0% Mile 7.8 to 8.0: -0.9% Mile 8.0 to 8.2: +0.2% Mile 8.2 to 8.4: -0.4% Mile 8.4 to 8.6: +0.6% Mile 8.6 to 8.8: +0.7% Mile 8.8 to 9.0: +0.7% Mile 9.0 to 9.2: -0.4% Mile 9.2 to 9.4: -0.7% Mile 9.4 to 9.6: +0.1% Mile 9.6 to 9.8: -0.1% Mile 9.8 to 10.0: +0.9% Mile 10.0 to 10.2: +0.1% Mile 10.2 to 10.4: +0.9% Mile 10.4 to 10.6: +0.2% Mile 10.6 to 10.8: -0.0% Mile 10.8 to 11.0: +0.6% Mile 11.0 to 11.2: -1.1% Mile 11.2 to 11.4: +0.1% Mile 11.4 to 11.6: +0.8% Mile 11.6 to 11.8: -0.2% Mile 11.8 to 12.0: -1.0% Mile 12.0 to 12.2: -0.0% Mile 12.2 to 12.4: -0.7% Mile 12.4 to 12.6: +0.7% Mile 12.6 to 12.8: +0.2% Mile 12.8 to 13.0: -0.7% Mile 13.0 to 13.2: +0.5% Mile 13.2 to 13.4: +0.5% Mile 13.4 to 13.6: +0.6% Mile 13.6 to 13.8: +0.2% Mile 13.8 to 14.0: -1.4% Mile 14.0 to 14.2: +0.0% Mile 14.2 to 14.4: +0.9% Mile 14.4 to 14.6: -0.5% Mile 14.6 to 14.8: +0.9% Mile 14.8 to 15.0: +0.5% Mile 15.0 to 15.2: -0.2% Mile 15.2 to 15.4: -0.5% Mile 15.4 to 15.6: -0.0% Mile 15.6 to 15.8: +0.7% Mile 15.8 to 16.0: -0.5% Mile 16.0 to 16.2: -0.7% Mile 16.2 to 16.4: +1.3% Mile 16.4 to 16.6: -1.0% Mile 16.6 to 16.8: -0.4% Mile 16.8 to 17.0: +0.8% Mile 17.0 to 17.2: +0.4% Mile 17.2 to 17.4: +1.1% Mile 17.4 to 17.6: +0.9% Mile 17.6 to 17.8: +1.3% Mile 17.8 to 18.0: -0.1% Mile 18.0 to 18.2: -1.1% Mile 18.2 to 18.4: -0.3% Mile 18.4 to 18.6: -0.8% Mile 18.6 to 18.8: +1.6% Mile 18.8 to 19.0: +0.6% Mile 19.0 to 19.2: -1.7% Mile 19.2 to 19.4: -0.1% Mile 19.4 to 19.6: -0.6% Mile 19.6 to 19.8: +0.8% Mile 19.8 to 20.0: +0.9% Mile 20.0 to 20.2: +0.6% Mile 20.2 to 20.4: -0.9% Mile 20.4 to 20.6: -0.5% Mile 20.6 to 20.8: -0.2% Mile 20.8 to 21.0: -0.2% Mile 21.0 to 21.2: -0.6% Mile 21.2 to 21.4: +0.4% Mile 21.4 to 21.6: +0.1% Mile 21.6 to 21.8: -0.2% Mile 21.8 to 22.0: -0.8% Mile 22.0 to 22.2: +1.2% Mile 22.2 to 22.4: +0.7% Mile 22.4 to 22.6: +0.3% Mile 22.6 to 22.8: +0.0% Mile 22.8 to 23.0: -0.6% Mile 23.0 to 23.2: -0.6% Mile 23.2 to 23.4: -0.7% Mile 23.4 to 23.6: -0.7% Mile 23.6 to 23.8: +0.5% Mile 23.8 to 24.0: +0.9% Mile 24.0 to 24.2: -1.0% Mile 24.2 to 24.4: -0.3% Mile 24.4 to 24.6: +0.1% Mile 24.6 to 24.8: -0.5% Mile 24.8 to 25.0: -0.1% Mile 25.0 to 25.2: +0.3% Mile 25.2 to 25.4: -0.6% Mile 25.4 to 25.6: -0.7% Mile 25.6 to 25.8: +1.0% Mile 25.8 to 26.0: +0.6% Mile 26.0 to 26.2: -1.4% 5 10 15 20 25 mile +92 ft +72 ft +53 ft +49 ft +48 ft
steep up up flat down steep down

This Marathon profile covers 26.2 miles, ranges from roughly 216 to 297 feet, and contains about 720 feet of modeled climb.

  • , mile 16.62 to 17.65: 92 feet up, 1.7% average.
  • , mile 19.77 to 20.23: 72 feet up, 2.9% average.
  • , mile 5.72 to 6.2: 53 feet up, 2.0% average.
  • , mile 2.31 to 3.24: 49 feet up, 1.0% average.
  • , mile 8.05 to 9.02: 48 feet up, 0.9% average.

Open the full course breakdown →

The route at a glance

1 5 10 13 15 20 25 26
Marathon route26.2 miles
course featured climb start/finish

Gold is the selected modeled course; route provenance is stated beside the flyover.

Race-week weather, measured

At the start line, December 1-9 averaged a low of 39°F and a high of 53°F across 2016-2025. The same window reached 74°F at its warmest and 22°F at its coldest. Measurable rain appeared on about 31% of sampled days. Treat the range, not just the average, as the packing list.

Pace it by effort

The profile and grade strip come from the same route currently loaded in the flyover. Use even pace as a baseline, then protect effort on the highlighted climbs and exposed sections.

FinishEven paceHalfway
3:006:52 /mi1:30
3:308:01 /mi1:45
4:009:09 /mi2:00
4:3010:18 /mi2:15
5:0011:27 /mi2:30
Published course limit, 6:3014:52 /mi3:15

Build your race weekend

The course

Live 3D flyover, synchronized elevation, route map, mile-by-mile shape and local landmarks.

Where to stay

22 mapped places to stay, compared by the endpoint that matters.

Expo and logistics

Packet pickup, the published weekend schedule, transit, parking and current entry tiers.

Spectators

Route-aware viewing anchors and a plan that respects the actual course geography.

The weekend

A city guide built around the places modeled beside the course.

Official race site

The organizer's current dates, entry details and late course notices.

Common questions

How does entry work, and does it sell out?

Two tracks. St. Jude Heroes fundraising registration opens first (April 1 to June 2, 2026), with commitment levels from Bronze at $750 up to Elite at $25,000; general registration opens June 3. Prices step up on set dates. Distances can sell out: once one does, distance-change requests are rejected outright.

Can I switch distances or race down?

If your distance is still open you can request a change, but once a distance sells out those requests are refused. Runners registered for a longer distance may simply run a shorter one without an official transfer, but doing so forfeits awards eligibility. Plan the distance you actually want at signup.

Are the corrals actually enforced?

Yes. Your corral letter is printed in the lower left of your bib, assigned from your estimated finish time, and race officials check bibs at the corral entry point to confirm you belong there. You may move back but never forward. Corral changes are handled only at the expo Solutions desk.

What is the time limit and what happens if I fall behind?

The marathon limit is 6.5 hours, timed from when the last corral crosses the start. Official course closure means police protection ceases and traffic resumes, and you must obey race officials including an instruction to retire immediately. Do not assume a soft cutoff because it is a charity event.

Which half marathon cutoff is right?

The race's own pages conflict. The FAQ and participant guide both list the half marathon at 4 hours 20 minutes, while other summaries of the FAQ report 6.5 hours covering both marathon and half. Train to 4:20 for the half. The 10K is 2 hours, the 5K 1.5 hours.

How does bag check work?

Only the clear bag handed out at the Health and Fitness Expo is accepted: all checked gear must be in it, no exceptions. You attach the pre-numbered tab torn from the bottom of your race bib. Skipping the expo means no bag, so gear check becomes impossible on race morning.

Can I transfer or defer my bib?

No. There is a strict no-transfer policy, and no deferrals to future St. Jude events under any circumstance. Running on someone else's bib gets both the runner and the registered owner banned from St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend events for a minimum of two years. Bandit runners are prohibited entirely.

What catches first-timers out on race day?

Bib must stay visible at start, finish and all course points or you risk disqualification; pin all four corners and never fold it, since the timing chip is embedded. Strollers, animals, bikes, skates and unauthorized pacers are banned. The early-December Memphis date can be cold and wet (general knowledge, not sourced from the race site).

What is the race actually known for?

It is St. Jude's largest single-day fundraiser, and the course runs through the Beale Street entertainment district and directly through the St. Jude campus, where patients and families line the route. Heroes must hit their fundraising minimum by Dec. 17, 2026, or the balance is charged to the card on file.

Ready to commit? Registration is open on St. Jude in-house registration. As of 2026-08-27 the marathon was $155, and the price only moves one direction.

Register for the 2026 St. Jude Memphis Marathon →on St. Jude in-house registration

Course geometry provenance is stated beside the player; elevation profiles always use the same route loaded there. City geometry is OpenStreetMap, ODbL. Aerial imagery is from USGS and USDA; other images carry their own source credits. Weather figures use Open-Meteo reanalysis for December 1-9 across 2016-2025 at the start line. Schedule, prices and expo hours were checked in 2026-08-27 and are the fields most likely to move: confirm them on www.stjude.org/get-involved/fitness-fundraisers/memphis-marathon.html before you book anything. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix it fast.