Run for the Ranch Marathon
Springfield's year-end charity marathon covers eight laps of a flat, certified 3.275-mile loop, a common last chance at a marathon finish each December.
Quick facts
- Marathon runs exactly eight laps of a certified 3.275-mile loop.
- One of the last chances each calendar year to finish a US marathon.
- Flat course with aid roughly every mile and a half.
- Volunteer-run fundraiser for the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, held since 1999.
About the Run for the Ranch Marathon
Since 1999 the Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners have staged this volunteer-run fundraiser for the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in late December. The loop format is the point: aid comes around every mile and a half, splits are easy to read, and the date makes it one of the final marathons on the US calendar each year.
Course
The marathon runs exactly eight laps of a certified 3.275-mile loop near the Missouri State campus. It is flat and fast, with repetition standing in for hills as the main mental challenge. Seeing the same aid stations every loop keeps fueling simple but puts a premium on staying engaged.
Race-day weather
Late December in southwest Missouri can serve anything from sunny 40s to wind chill in the teens. Cold wind on an open loop hits repeatedly, though the format means warm gear and clothing changes are never far away.
Past Run for the Ranch Marathon dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, December 19, 2026 | Upcoming | — |
Run for the Ranch Marathon FAQ
When is the Run for the Ranch Marathon?
The 2026 Run for the Ranch Marathon is on Saturday, December 19, 2026.
Is Run for the Ranch Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes. Run for the Ranch Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier. To use the result, you must run the certified full-marathon course within the qualifying window and meet the current standard for your age and gender. Meeting the standard lets you apply but does not guarantee entry, and net-downhill courses can receive a time adjustment under current B.A.A. rules. Review the Boston qualifying times and downhill-course rules, or browse upcoming Boston qualifier marathons.
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