How do I enter the Bass Pro Conservation Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners and is available online through October 29 at 11:59 PM. You can also register in person at the Marathon Weekend Expo on October 30-31 at the John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Center.

Is the Bass Pro Conservation Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston Athletic Association entry standards. Keep in mind the rolling multi-loop course makes hitting a BQ time a genuine challenge, so plan your pacing carefully.

What is the course like?

The course is a multi-loop route through Springfield with around 764 feet of total gain. It is nearly net-neutral, so there are no big net downhills to ride. Expect repeated rolling terrain that rewards even, patient effort over the full distance.

What is the weather typically like on race day?

Race day falls in early November, when Springfield typically sees morning lows around 40°F and afternoon highs around 61°F. A light throwaway layer for the start is a good idea, and the later miles can feel warmer if the day trends toward the high end of that range.

How large is the field?

The race draws a smaller field of several hundred finishers. It has a relaxed, low-key atmosphere compared to larger city marathons.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Bass Pro Conservation Marathon course is USATF certified.

Sun, Nov 1 · 2026Springfield, MOSince 2006

Bass Pro Conservation Marathon

The Bass Pro Conservation Marathon winds through Springfield, Missouri on a multi-loop course that asks you to stay focused and run honest. It's a compact, low-key race where the effort speaks for itself.

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BASS PRO CONSERVATION · US

Bass Pro Conservation

SUN, NOV 1

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 2006

Springfield is not one of those races you've heard about for years before you do it. It's quieter than that, and honestly that's part of the appeal. The course runs multiple loops through the city, and the terrain is rolling but never brutal. There are no crushing climbs, but the gain adds up. Don't let the early loops feel easy and push the pace. Save something for the back half.

This is a good race if you want a low-pressure, no-frills marathon experience in the Midwest in early November. The field is small, which means you'll know where you stand pretty quickly and the corrals feel relaxed. It is a Boston qualifier, but the BQ rate is low, which tells you the rolling loops make it trickier than the net elevation suggests. Entry is open registration, so getting in is straightforward. If you want a shot at a fall qualifier without the chaos of a big-city race, this one is worth a look.

Field size

~407

407 finishers

BQ rate

4%

Below national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

The Course

764 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑764 ft

Total descent

↓780 ft

Net elevation

↓16 ft

Highest point

1,341 ft

Lowest point

1,239 ft

Course shape

Multi loop

Start and finish in one place

The course runs as a multi-loop with about 764 feet of gain and 780 feet of loss, making it nearly net-neutral. The highest and lowest points sit within roughly 100 feet of each other, so there are no dramatic climbs or long descents to exploit. Expect repeated, modest rollers that accumulate over multiple loops. Pacing is the main challenge here: the looped format makes it tempting to go out hard when the terrain feels manageable, but the cumulative gain will catch you if you do. Plan even effort, not even splits, and treat the early loops as banked patience rather than banked time.

DIFFICULTYROLLINGPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

40°F

High

61°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Early November in Springfield usually means a cool start and a mild afternoon. You'll probably want a throwaway layer at the gun, but by the later loops you'll have warmed into it. The afternoon high can reach the low 60s, so if you're running slower or it's a warm year, the last loop can turn into more of a heat-management situation than you expected. Wind is worth checking the forecast on, since the looped course can put you into it from different angles. Generally a decent window for a fast effort, but don't assume it's a given.

Entry

OPEN

Online registration closes October 29 at 11:59 PM. Onsite registration available October 30-31 at the Marathon Weekend Expo, John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Center.

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