St Jude Marathon Memphis

5 Things to Know about St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend

More than 26,000 runners from all over the world will come to Memphis in December for the annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. While the race expo (and carb-loading!) begin Friday night, all races will take place Sat., Dec. 7, 2024. Considering joining in on the fun? Here are five things you should know, including start times, which Memphis landmarks you'll see along the routes, how to get involved without running and, of course, what to do (including where to eat) before and after the race.

Runners ready for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon
Andrea Zucker
St. Jude Marathon runners on Beale Street
Alex Shansky
Runners at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon
Andrea Zucker
Marathon runners against the Memphis Skyline
Andrea Zucker

1. MEMPHIS LOVES ST. JUDE.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is known worldwide, but it started in Memphis, thanks to the efforts of entertainer Danny Thomas. His mission remains big but simple: Since its founding in 1962, St. Jude has worked to dramatically increase the survival rate of childhood cancer, and patients and families never pay for treatment or related travel, housing, or food. Fundraising events like the marathon make that possible.

2. ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE.

Though you’ll hear it called “The Memphis Marathon” and “race weekend,” the event, in fact, includes a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids marathon (a one-mile run that encourages families to run with their kids ages 11 years and younger). All races take place Saturday morning. If you’re my speed, you’ll gather up some combination of cowbells, pom-poms, and DIY posters, find a spot along the route, and cheer on the runners. With bands playing along the way and runners accessorized in everything from tutus to Elvis jumpsuits, there are literally zero dull moments in this race.

3. THE RACE ROUTES READ LIKE A BEST-OF MEMPHIS.

Pay attention as you run or cheer: You’re going to want to swing back by some of the places you see along the route. Runners will jet through Downtown Memphis starting from Beale Street, following along the Mississippi River and the brand new Tom Lee Park while also passing legendary landmarks such as the National Civil Rights Museum and legendary Sun Studio. However, anyone who’s run this race before will tell you the highlight is running through the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital campus, cheered on by patients and their parents. (It’s okay to get choked up now.) The finish line is outside pretty-as-a-picture AutoZone Park in Downtown Memphis, home of the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds and Memphis 901 FC USL team.

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4. THERE’S MUCH TO DO PRE- AND POST-RACE.

Depending on how much time you have before and after the race, you might want to:

  • Carb-load: Every race weekend, restaurants across Memphis cook up discounts and pasta specials for you to enjoy before and after the race. I Love Memphis blog is keeping all the delicious details here. 
     
  • Do the Memphis music thing: Assuming you only have the weekend, sign your name outside the gates of Graceland, hold Elvis’ mic inside Sun Studio, and groove on the Stax Museum of American Soul Music’s dance floor. WYXR's annual Raised by Sound Music Festival takes place marathon weekend. 
     
  • Explore a neighborhood: Downtown Memphis’ South Main Street is a collection of original restaurants, boutiques and galleries, vivid public art, and museums including the Blues Hall of Fame and the National Civil Rights Museum. The latter is a powerful study of the civil rights movement—on the site where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. 
     
  • Stay out late (maybe after the race): Check out Beale Street, where music streams from every open door—just walk in where you hear something you like. Then, stroll over to South Main Street for late-night eats (the soul burger at Earnestine & Hazel’s is a rite), or walk the red carpet to dance at Paula & Raiford's Disco.
     
  • Get in the holiday spirit: Deck the halls with a magical Memphis holiday from Zoo Lights, to Holiday Wonders at Memphis Botanic Garden, Starry Nights at Shelby Farms, and more. Don't forget to see the historic Peabody Hotel and Graceland decorated in holiday splendor. 
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5. THE LOGISTICS ARE EASY.

  • Not registered?

    Register here for the marathon, half, 10K, 5K, or kids marathon; volunteer; or make a contribution. And anyone can cheerlead. 
     

  • Wondering where to stay?  Since all race events start and finish in Downtown Memphis—and because some critical city streets will close to become race routes—I’d recommend choosing accommodations in Downtown Memphis. Check out all our hotel listings here. Hotel discounts are listed at stjude.org/marathon.
  • Wondering where to park? Should you need to drive to the start or finish line Saturday morning, know that multiple lots and garages in a 4- to 6-block radius of the start and finish lines are available, most for around $10, but you’ll need to arrive early. A parking map is available at—you guessed it—stjude.org/marathon

RACE START TIMES

  • 5K 7:00 a.m. Wheelchair 5K start 6:55 a.m.
  • 10K, Half and Full Marathon 8:00 a.m. Wheelchair starts for these races: 7:55 a.m.
  • Kids Marathon 1:30 p.m.

About the Author

Samantha Crespo has written about Memphis for more than 13 years, including four editions of 100 Things To Do in Memphis Before You Die, a love letter/insider's guide to the city. Find her running along the river, especially in the new Tom Lee Park, listening to her favorite Memphis band: Lucero.

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