St. Jude Memphis Marathon

Registration opens in two phases. St. Jude Heroes registration, which includes a fundraising commitment, opens April 1. General registration without a mandatory fundraising requirement opens June 3. Both are open until the race sells out.

Yes, the course is a certified Boston qualifier. That said, the rolling multi-loop course and variable December weather mean a significant portion of finishers are running for the cause rather than a PR, so expect the field to reflect that mix.

The time limit is 6.5 hours.

The course accumulates roughly 700 feet of gain with no net downhill to offset it. The elevation difference between the lowest and highest points is less than 90 feet, so there are no dramatic climbs, but the repeated rolling terrain on the multi-loop course adds up across the full distance.

Typical race-day temperatures are around 46°F (7°C), with mornings often starting in the upper 30s. Early December in Memphis can vary considerably, with some years bringing unseasonably mild days and others delivering cold, wet, or stormy conditions. Dress in layers and check the forecast in the week before.

No. General registration participants are not required to fundraise, though fundraising tools and pages are provided to everyone. Runners who want to commit to a fundraising goal can register as St. Jude Heroes, with tiers from Bronze through Elite levels, during the earlier registration window.

Recent editions have seen close to 2,000 marathon finishers, making it an intimate field compared to large-city marathons. The size means a less crowded course and a more personal race-day atmosphere.