Joplin Memorial Run Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Saturday, May 20, 2023 • Joplin, MO • Course Map

Named as a tribute to the 161 people who lost their lives when the F5 Joplin tornado struck this southwest Missouri city in May 2011, the Joplin Memorial Run Half Marathon takes runners along a course with plenty of hills and long, steady ascents through the streets of Joplin, Missouri.

The race previously was part of this southwestern Missouri town’s annual Boomtown Days festival, which draws an estimated 40,000 attendees each year for live music concerts, fireworks, a car, truck and motorcycle show and more.

The out-and-back loop course for the race starts and finishes at the intersection of West 8th Street and South Joplin Avenue, and starts out by heading south along Joplin through the first mile to the intersection with 19th Street.

Runners turn left on 19th Street and then head north again for another mile before running east along 15th Street for the next mile or so. This section features a gentle uphill stretch that takes runners through Parr Hill Park and Murphy Boulevard Park before heading south (and downhill).

The course then continues west toward Joplin High School, which suffered heavy damage from the tornado — which the school’s principal then described as “total devastation,” comparing to the impact of bombing of cities in World War II.

After that, the course then brings runners onto the residential streets of the neighborhoods west of the high school. There are some rolling hills here and there, but no major changes in elevation through this stretch of the race.

After reaching the start line, runners repeat the course to complete the half marathon. The start and finish line lie within areas of Joplin’s downtown renovated just a few years ago before the tornado struck, beautified with new streetscapes.

Race Weather & Climate

Located in the southwestern corner of Missouri, just miles from the borders with Kansas and Oklahoma, Joplin typically experiences mild to warm weather in the late spring.

• May 20 average low temp: 56ºF
• May 20 average high temp: 72ºF

Past Results

• 2022 Half Marathon Results
• 2019 Joplin Memorial Half Marathon Results
• 2018 Joplin Memorial Half Marathon Results
• 2017 Joplin Memorial Half Marathon Results
• 2016 Joplin Memorial Half Marathon Results
• 2015 Joplin Memorial Half Results
• 2014 Joplin Memorial Half Results
• 2013 Joplin Memorial Half Results
• 2012 Joplin Memorial Half Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Joplin Memorial Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

• 6:30 AM – half marathon, 10K
• 6:45 AM – 5K

Course Time Limit

4 hours

Fees

• $70 and up – half marathon
• $45 and up – 10K
• $40 and up – 5K
• $160 and up – team relay

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of the Joplin Memorial Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Walk of Silence or Kids’ Race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

joplinmemorialrun.com

Comments

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