A Boston qualifier, the Bass Pro Fitness Series Conservation Marathon is an excellent race for both first-time competitors and seasoned athletes looking for an event with a great course and first class amenities. Local, regional, national and international runners and walkers will participate in the Bass Pro Conservation Marathon.
Routes wind participants through many beautiful neighborhoods, several flat paved trails, part of historic Route 66, around Missouri State University and through downtown Springfield. The course is mostly flat with a few rolling hills. The event starts in front of the Granddaddy of all sporting goods stores, Bass Pro Shops, and ends in front of our new Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium, connected to the John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Center.
People run or walk marathons for many reasons including honoring someone special in their lives, meeting personal goals or striving for personal health and fitness. A marathon is a personal challenge like no other and whether this is your first or your 50th marathon, we want this experience to inspire you just like your efforts inspire others.
The Maynard Cohick Half-Marathon is a gold-standard race, perfect race for seasoned and beginner half-marathoners. Participants in the half-marathon start at the same time as marathon and marathon-relay. Half-marathoners and marathoners will run together for the first 10.3 miles; half marathon runners will break and run the last 5K to the finish while marathoners will continue to take in some of the beauty of Springfield.
Overall, the course is excellent in every way and it displays the beautiful Autumn foliage of the Ozarks. Runners can expect some rolling hills from miles two through five but the course is mostly flat and excellent for those who are seeking a personal record.
The route takes runners through the back of Mother’s Brewing Company while on Grant Avenue, just before mile five. Runners have been known to spend some time here, enjoying the specialty beverages being poured by volunteers from Mother’s!
The finish area is in front of both the new Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium and the John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Center.
The CMC Recycling 5K (3.1 miles) is great for both runners and walkers who want to have fun while achieving their fitness goals. This is the perfect race to do with family members and friends!
The 5K shares the last 3.1 miles of the Bass Pro Conservation Marathon and the Cohick Half Marathon routes. Participants in the News-Leader 5K will complete their race before most of the half marathoners enter this part of the course. The route takes participants through the neighborhoods behind the Bass Pro Shops store. There will be one aid station along the way with water and Powerade for participants. A great finish line waits for all 5K finishers, along with a medal to celebrate your accomplishment!
The Conservation Marathon Relay appeals to families, friends, co-workers and organizations looking to build relationships and teamwork. We offer two different categories to race under each including men’s, women’s and coed teams. The two different categories are: Corporate and Friends & Family. We do offer a category called the Battle of the Badges for our Law enforcement, medical personnel, fire fighters, first responders, etc.
Marathon relay teams are made up of five members, each running or walking one leg of the marathon. The first and third leg participants will each run a 10K (6.2 miles), while the second and forth legs will each run a 5K (3.1 miles); the last leg will complete a 12K (7.5 miles) in order to complete a full 26.2 marathon (10K, 5K, 10K, 5K, 12K).
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Overall great marathon!
This race ran very smoothly and the overall theme and environment was a lot of fun. I also really enjoyed the expo which provided a lot more freebees and services … MORE
This race ran very smoothly and the overall theme and environment was a lot of fun. I also really enjoyed the expo which provided a lot more freebees and services than others I have been to. I did the full, but I would actually recommend the half marathon for this race. The second half of the marathon was entirely hilly neighborhoods with very few spectators (it was rainy though which could have been a factor). Although there weren’t many festivities specifically related to race, there’s lots to do with bass pro shop.
Top notch 1/2, A+ people, very organized
So happy I picked this race in Springfield, Missouri. Easy sign up, great email communication. EXPO was incredible, and the midwest hospitality was unreal. The volunteers had everything organized from … MORE
So happy I picked this race in Springfield, Missouri. Easy sign up, great email communication. EXPO was incredible, and the midwest hospitality was unreal. The volunteers had everything organized from the Expo, to the race, to after, no glitches. It was rainy and little chilly but there were so many families out there cheering, even the police traffic officers, happy! Made us run faster! So many incredible people we met. Bass Pro really out does itself with decorations and lights, what a perfect setting. The end, had lots of food, beer dessert etc. Then you change and go walk around Bass Pro. The medal is huge and amazing, shirt is awesome too. We got tons of freebies from the expo. Probably one of my favorite halfs! Well marked too! Few incline hills, lol.
What is up with Springfield?...
...and why am I the last to know about this treasure? Bass Pro and Springfield know how to bring it! More aid stations than you can shake a stick at, … MORE
…and why am I the last to know about this treasure?
Bass Pro and Springfield know how to bring it! More aid stations than you can shake a stick at, official and unofficial, the latter of which usually gets hurt in bad weather, but despite the rain we had an unofficial aid stations offering: marshmallows, beer, orange slices, pickle juice (x3), chocolate bars, M&Ms, gummies (x2), at least three more I didn’t stop at, 4 or 5 offering only Powerade and water, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten more on a race. There was a competition apparently. All the stations were great. The magic lady, sorry I didn’t see more of your performance. You were quite motivating. “The Pirate Pickle juice” and the other pickle juice aid station (with volunteers dressed as pickles) were both great, as were the ones with the patriotic theme and the snare drums as intro to the next track. The people of Galloway though…you came out in force and brought your A-Game with the buffet you put before us, and I loved your signs. You get my vote. You proved that “Anything IS possum-able!” We rolled back out to you folks for lunch after the race because of the fire you brought to the cheer and support divisions.
The race was through a number of neighborhoods and relatively flat, with a nice gradual downhill into the finish that won’t burn your quads. It’s a good long stretch and gives lots of opportunity for high fives as you come in for your finish, which will come with another buffet of goodies from beef jerky to chips and salsa to oranges and milk and all the normal bars we always get. Way to diversify Bass Pro, and this really set you apart. The start and end was at their giant building which had fireplaces to warm by and medal engraving on sight as well as massages and TIMS machines.
The B&B (Mansion at Elfindale) I have to mention because above and beyond being spacious and gorgeous, they let us come back after the race to shower, which I’ve only had one hotel do before (JW @ MiniIndy…much love!), so this showed above and beyond that deserves recognition. Also, less than a mile away from the start line (which is around the corner from the finish line in the giant parking complex of Bass Pro, but technically not the same). The shirt is wonderful. Soft polyspandex blend long-sleeved that I’ll actually wear. Designs on both sides without sponsor logos. The medal is nicely polished with a 3D relief of a deer in the woods. Everyone I showed it to thought it was a nice medal. This is quite aways away and I already see myself driving back next year, as well as checking out the other Springfield and Bass Pro races. Excellent production, value, experience and coordination, as their RD Melissa Bondy had the packet delivered to the B&B since I wouldn’t make it in time for the expo (due to a prior race) and there is no same-day pickup. That was just indicative of how well the little details of customer experience mattered here, and that has earned a loyal competitor. Kudos, truly. I only wish the 5k was a different day or early enough that we could double up and do a challenge I just didn’t want the experience to end. Says something when the only downside I can come up with is “need to have more.” I could see a great two-day challenge, or better yet, MiniIndy-style where you do the 5, then an hour later the half starts. I can’t say anything bad about the race so at least let a guy dream of how to get more. Despite the long drive, I will absolutely be there next year. If the energy was this great in the rain I can only imagine how a clear day would be. I’ll find out in 2025 though. Hope to see you all there.
TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE
If you want a race that cares about you as a runner. Don’t run this race. I couldn’t get my packet due to a sudden funeral. I send an email … MORE
If you want a race that cares about you as a runner. Don’t run this race. I couldn’t get my packet due to a sudden funeral. I send an email letting them know I wasn’t able to pick up my packet. I never hear back from them. I arrive early to talk to someone to get my packet there was no booth or anyone in charge that I could see. VERY UNORGANIZED. I couldn’t run because I didn’t get my BIB. I have run 2 other marathons and 3 other half marathons and this was the worst experience by far. Very unorganized.
Big local support.
Easy in and out race. We stayed across the race start/finish making this race super convenient. Also enjoyed Bass Pro museum and store. This race has big community support and … MORE
Easy in and out race. We stayed across the race start/finish making this race super convenient. Also enjoyed Bass Pro museum and store. This race has big community support and I highly recommend it.
Bass Pro Shop Best for Men and Women
The medal, the t shirt wonderful and one of the best in both regards. I loved the scenery and all the things to do in and around the Bass Pro … MORE
The medal, the t shirt wonderful and one of the best in both regards.
I loved the scenery and all the things to do in and around the Bass Pro shop.
My performance was not good, as I was so busy enjoying myself. A Definite must for anyone who loves the outdoors and fishes, hunts, bring the family. Enjoyed eating at the Hemingway restaurant.
Its a great location!!
Great Race with good support
Course overall is fairly flat with some rolling hilly neighborhoods around mile 17-18. Fan support and aid stations well manned even for the slower runners. Pacers provided for most times … MORE
Course overall is fairly flat with some rolling hilly neighborhoods around mile 17-18. Fan support and aid stations well manned even for the slower runners. Pacers provided for most times up to 6hr marathon. Very good snacks during and at race finish.
Beautiful Fall Marathon
If you are looking for beautiful weather, gorgeous fall colors, a manageable course, all without fighting large crowds of a big city race then you will find it at the … MORE
If you are looking for beautiful weather, gorgeous fall colors, a manageable course, all without fighting large crowds of a big city race then you will find it at the Bass Pro Marathon in Springfield, MO in the first weekend of November. It is worth noting that I think this race traditionally falls on the Sunday of time change (falling back) meaning that you snag an extra hour of sleep on race day which is super nice!
… I share a full race recap at the link below
https://nowenthomas5.wixsite.com/website/post/bass-pro-conservation-marathon-2021
Beautiful Course, Very well Organized
The Bass Pro Series is so well put together, it would be hard to surpass the professionalism in the execution of all the events for the entire series of runs … MORE
The Bass Pro Series is so well put together, it would be hard to surpass the professionalism in the execution of all the events for the entire series of runs they manage. The Half, and I assume the full, marathons were absolutely fun, and a great place & course if one wants to attempt a personal best time. Scenery throughout Springfield was awesome; historical neighborhoods and the downtown were very appealing.
A well put together race!
I really enjoyed this race. The expo and packet pickup were quick and i found a good deal on socks. Parking the day of was very easy and since it … MORE
I really enjoyed this race. The expo and packet pickup were quick and i found a good deal on socks. Parking the day of was very easy and since it was cold, we were allowed to wait inside Bass pro. I loved the course; mostly residential and some parts of “downtown”. The spectators were hilarious; a lot of the aidstations had themes. I don’t think the race could have been much better! And at the finish, they had excellent food; I had cheese dip, pizza, and cookies! The medals were also very big and cool. Overall an excellent race that I would recommend.
Nice neighborhood race
Loved the race swag shirt! Mostly flat course. I feel like it was mostly running through neighborhoods. Nothing spectacular, but nicely organized and nice community. MORE
Loved the race swag shirt! Mostly flat course. I feel like it was mostly running through neighborhoods. Nothing spectacular, but nicely organized and nice community.