St. Jude Memphis Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K & Relay

Saturday, December 2, 2023 • Memphis, TN • Course Map

Runners get their chance to run through the home of the blues and American roots music of every stripe in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon & Half Marathon, which tests the hardiness and dedication of more than 2,000 full marathoners and 5,000 half marathoners each December.

From the starting line at the corner of B.B. King Boulevard and Lt. Lee Avenue, in the heart of the city’s biggest tourist draw, both the half marathon and the full marathon head out on what is roughly a counter-clockwise loop route through Memphis, taking runners past many of the city’s most famous sites, including Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the Lorraine Hotel, the Elvis Presley Memorial, and more.

Those running the half and the full share the same course for nearly all of the first 10 miles of the race; the full marathoners will split off from the half marathoners just before the latter group turns to head toward AutoZone Park for their finish.

Mostly flat and fast (it’s run through the Memphis city streets), the race also provides ample views of the waterfront by the Mississippi River, and finishes at majestic AutoZone Park, home of the AAA-level Memphis Redbirds minor league baseball team. Walkers are welcome, as long as they can keep a pace of 20 minutes per mile or better.

"Elvis" cheers runners on at the 2013 Memphis Marathon.

“Elvis” cheers runners on at the 2013 Memphis Marathon. (Photo by Dave Herholz/flickr)

Awards & Accolades

The St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon was the seventeenth most popular half marathon in the United States in 2023.

Race Weather & Climate

The Memphis area can dip into some cold wintry temperatures in early December, as average temperatures during the month range between 34°F and 52°F. December is also among the city’s wettest months with more than 5 1/2 inches of average precipitation, so come prepared for rain or possibly a frozen mix.

On the day of the race (Dec. 2), the average low is 38°F and the average high is 56°F.

Results

Course Map

See the St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon course map here.

Starting Time

see event website

Fees

see event website

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, Half Marathon or Memphis Grizzlies House 5K race, visit the event website.

Official Race Website

www.stjudemarathon.org

Comments

Ever run in the St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: December, Tennessee

2 comments… add one
  • Brenda Wyatt November 23, 2015, 2:18 pm

    If you dont finish the race do you still get your medal

    Reply
  • Brenda Wyatt November 23, 2015, 2:14 pm

    When do we pick up package.
    What do we need to pick up another runners pack?

    Reply

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