The St. Petersburg Distance Classic courses are a scenic tour through St. Pete, from the sparkling waterfront to beautiful historic neighborhoods, the trendy downtown, and the shaded Pinellas Trail – a rails-to-trails linear park. The Marathon course is USATF Certified and a Boston Qualifier. ALL four race courses are the …
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The St. Petersburg Distance Classic courses are a scenic tour through St. Pete, from the sparkling waterfront to beautiful historic neighborhoods, the trendy downtown, and the shaded Pinellas Trail – a rails-to-trails linear park. The Marathon course is USATF Certified and a Boston Qualifier.
ALL four race courses are the same for the first two miles – heading north into Snell Isle. While 5K participants turn around and return towards the finish line, all other participants head north and around Coffee Pot Bayou before returning to North Shore Park.
The Halfathon and Marathon head south along the waterfront, through our bustling downtown, and onto Central Avenue, which features a dynamic mixture of the best local shops and cafes. Watch for an abundance of huge murals on Central Avenue’s building walls as St. Petersburg is a genuinely well known haven for artists of all types.
At Mile 10, the Halfathon and Marathon courses split at the Pinellas Trail. The half marathon participants head east back towards the waterfront, and the marathon runners head west to achieve their marathon mileage before returning to the waterfront finish line.
The St. Petersburg Marathon is the first ever 26.2-mile race staged entirely in St. Petersburg in 2019. The marathon course has been accurately measured per USATF certification standards and certified (FL19019TY) and will therefore be a Boston Qualifier for 2023 and beyond.
For our out-of-town athletes, our award winning, white-sand beaches provide the perfect setting to relax. Ideal overall temperatures (56° – 71°) make this a perfect spot for a mid-winter vacation wrapped around a long-distance run or walk.
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Will be back again next year!
This was my first St Pete classic - my winter home is here in Sarasota. I was very nervous about the parking situation but it was completely smooth. I arrived … MORE
This was my first St Pete classic – my winter home is here in Sarasota. I was very nervous about the parking situation but it was completely smooth. I arrived around 6 am and went directly to the parking garage suggested. There were plenty of spots. In my own error I downloaded the park mobile app (which is for street parking) so upon my exit I was very worried I would cause a problem – but again it was very smooth I simply scanned the QR code at the gate and was paid/out of the lot in about 1 minute. The walk from the lot was a great way to warm up. I also waited until race day for my packet pick up since I’m about 45-60 minutes from the pick up locations prior to the race. Very organized- had my racing Bib in 30 seconds and bag check was efficient. All of your staff/volunteers did a fantastic job. Thank you for a great experience- I will be back again next year! Scenery is beautiful and lots of nice restaurants in the area for post race activities.
Patti Izzo📚✏️💜
great course, beautiful city.
It’s a welcoming and well-organized race on a great course in a beautiful city. It’s big enough to feel like an event but has the local vibe of a small … MORE
It’s a welcoming and well-organized race on a great course in a beautiful city. It’s big enough to feel like an event but has the local vibe of a small race that keeps it personal and fun. I’ll definitely be back.
Scenic and Well Run Race
I only ran the 10K, but the course was beautiful and flat. Post race celebration was great. They provided the usual bananas etc. but also had croissants, and beer. The … MORE
I only ran the 10K, but the course was beautiful and flat.
Post race celebration was great. They provided the usual bananas etc. but also had croissants, and beer. The race was very well run. Communication prior to race was excellent.
Pancake flat race course
This was my second year in a row! This year they offered GU gels for the runners at about half way for the half marathoners and I think twice on … MORE
This was my second year in a row! This year they offered GU gels for the runners at about half way for the half marathoners and I think twice on the course for the marathoners. Aid stations had water and Gatorade. The sunrise over the water was beautiful. It was a bit cool at the start, and if people dropped items at the mile markers for mile 1, 2 or 3 their items were transported to the finisher area to be reclaimed which was so nice! I was a little disappointed that there were no nachos at the finish party, however they did have pasta with meatballs, bananas and chocolate milk. I would do it again.
Fun, flat race with beautiful sunrise!
I was impressed with the race organization - staggered start for the different distances; plenty of water and gatorade at all the aid stops (note NO gels or snacks, just … MORE
I was impressed with the race organization – staggered start for the different distances; plenty of water and gatorade at all the aid stops (note NO gels or snacks, just water and gatorade); well-marked course with turns or possibly confusing areas manned by a volunteer – all were very helpful and encouraging; nice after party with a taco bar and massages available for runners. I recommend this race!
PR Course for sure!
If you want to PR, do this race either the half or full. Weather is usually cool so good for running. Lots of waterfront scenery and nice neighborhoods. Not much … MORE
If you want to PR, do this race either the half or full. Weather is usually cool so good for running. Lots of waterfront scenery and nice neighborhoods. Not much crowd support if you need that. Race is well organized. The organizers are very experienced and typically put on a flawless event. Post race offer pasta with meatballs. I mention the meatballs because it’s rare to get protein after a race, which is when you need it. They also have wonderful brownies and other good post race food. Medals and shirts are nice, shirts are tech. If I’m in town, I will always run this race.
Loved this race!
What a beautiful course! Loved the early morning start before dawn and running as the sun rose. It was perfect weather. The race is easy to find, easy to get … MORE
What a beautiful course! Loved the early morning start before dawn and running as the sun rose. It was perfect weather. The race is easy to find, easy to get to, easy to park, and a great run. The finishing medal is a nice addition to my collection. The post race activities are varied, entertaining and fun. If I could make one recommendation, it would be to corral runners either according to distance (marathon, half, 10k) or by estimated finishing time. Having all the runners together at the start was a little jumbled. However, the positive energy at the start line was electric. I loved it! Can’t wait until the race next February.
Fantastic race
The organization, medals was great, I’m a participant since 2010, and I always appreciate running with this organization that offer so many programs to enter with lower prices, following the … MORE
The organization, medals was great, I’m a participant since 2010, and I always appreciate running with this organization that offer so many programs to enter with lower prices, following the shirts and after finish line with a good party. Thank you!
Flat course, reasonably well organized,
Flat reasonably fast course. Lots of turns. Enough water stops. Wish they could avoid the one stretch of race that is on pavers - tough on ankles. Critical turn for … MORE
Flat reasonably fast course. Lots of turns. Enough water stops. Wish they could avoid the one stretch of race that is on pavers – tough on ankles. Critical turn for half vs full marathon not absolutely fully manned and marked.
I would run this again.
Nice race, but ran out of water.
Race was a good course, and generally well organized, but the water stop management was the worst I have seen in 90 races. Most of the water stops after mile … MORE
Race was a good course, and generally well organized, but the water stop management was the worst I have seen in 90 races. Most of the water stops after mile 8 had no water, and some had no water or gatorade.
Nice race good time for sure
The timing was spot on. Nice race course. Nice snacks for sure at the after-party, including beer. The awards were very nice and they gave away a good Finisher Medal. MORE
The timing was spot on. Nice race course. Nice snacks for sure at the after-party, including beer.
The awards were very nice and they gave away a good Finisher Medal.
Fast and Flat in St. Pete
Fast and flat course in beautiful St. Petersburg if the weather cooperates. 2023 brought mid-sixties with very windy conditions. 20 mph headwinds were rough, but they became tailwinds returning to … MORE
Fast and flat course in beautiful St. Petersburg if the weather cooperates. 2023 brought mid-sixties with very windy conditions. 20 mph headwinds were rough, but they became tailwinds returning to the finish! Super nice husband/wife team coordinate this event. Starts running along the Tampa Bay with some beautiful neighborhood homes. About mile 10 to 23 is on the Pinella bike trail. Appreciate not having to fight traffic, but gets kinda lonely. RD said they’re planning on having live music on the trail next year, which will be an upgrade. Very well organized with water stations and Police at every questionable intersection. Packet pickup location was a little frustrating as it’s at a park and the address given isn’t real clear. I found it, but had to help several others stumbling around as I did searching for the small tented location outside in a large park area. Overall…..definitely a nice way to knock out FLA if you’re going after the states!