St. Jude Memphis Marathon

The St. Jude Memphis Marathon is a city race built around a powerful cause. Runners start near Beale Street and spend 26.2 miles touring downtown, Midtown and historic neighborhoods before passing through the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital campus, where patients and families line the course. The event is the hospitals largest single day fundraiser and draws tens of thousands of participants each year. A certified, Boston qualifying course plus generous on course support make it a strong choice for runners who want both a meaningful experience and a serious race.

The marathon begins on B.B. King Boulevard near Beale Street, then winds through downtown Memphis before heading into Midtown and the shaded streets around Overton Park. From there the route works back toward the riverfront and into the St. Jude campus for one of the most emotional segments in marathoning, with patients, families and staff lining the route. The course is gently rolling with a mix of long straight sections and gradual inclines, but no extended climbs, making even pacing achievable for well prepared runners.

Early December in Memphis usually brings cool but not harsh conditions, with average highs in the low to mid 50s Fahrenheit and lows in the mid 30s. Mornings can feel chilly and occasionally damp, yet many race days warm into very comfortable running weather once the sun is up. A light throwaway layer, gloves and a hat are often enough to stay warm in the corrals while still keeping your race kit dialed for a steady effort over the full distance.