The Greater St. Louis Marathon is fast approaching, and the sounds of anticipation are sinking in all over the city of St. Louis. The marathon, scheduled for Saturday morning, had been drawn to thousands of runners to take to the streets. The race will actually begin at 7 a.m. at Memorial Plaza and Stifel Theater on Market Street, along Memorial Plaza and near the Stifel
Theater, two landmarks known to many in downtown. The race features a scenic route, which will run down town, through historic neighborhoods and along the riverfront and participants will have 6.5 hours to complete the race.It is a huge party of fitness, community spirit and resilience. Participants are expected to ride their bikes until the streets are lined with spectators full of cheer and sunshine.
Roadway Preparations
The marathon preparations have been extensive. Overnight and earlier, city crews have been hard at work erecting barricades, signage, water stations and medical tents. Drivers had been asked to cooperate with the organizers, allowing extra travel time that day and to keep on alert for changing traffic patterns
Major Interstate and Road Closures
The race requires several major road closures. Specifically, key related interstate exits will include I-44 and I-64. The I-64 westbound on ramp at Broadway will be closed briefly in the early morning and the I-44 eastbound exit at Washington/Eads Bridge and I-44 westbound exit at Tucker/Gravois will be closed from 6:00 to 11:00 a.m.
The race begins in downtown St. Louis and there will be multiple road closures that begin as early as 3:00 a.m., including Market Street, which is the race’s starting line, between 12th and 18th Streets during the early morning hours. Closures will expand to include Pine Street, 8th Street, Clark Avenue, Tucker Boulevard, Broadway during the course of the race. The riverfront will also be closed around the key intersections on Memorial Drive and Walnut Street
Downtown West and Surrounding Areas
In addition to downtown, Downtown West and Grand Center will close at least into the early afternoon. Some parts of the event will shut down the streets of Locust Street from Tucker to Grand; Washington Avenue between Theresa and Grand; and Olive Street between Grand and Theresa.
Drivers are encouraged to check for alternate routes or to delay the travel as much as possible and these are expected to have very heavy traffic in these areas.
Riverfront, Soulard, and Lafayette Square Closures
It will also be on the riverfront areas and historic neighborhoods such as Soulard and Lafayette Square. Early in the day, Chouteau Avenue, Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard and Laclede’s Landing Boulevard roads will be shut.
Chouteau Avenue and parts of Tucker Boulevard will be disrupted in Soulard and parts of LaSalle Park. Runners will weave through Lafayette Square on full closures of Park Avenue, an attractive tree-lined are
Comparison to Nashville’s Marathon Closures
Like many other cities, St. Louis has a detailed planning that is on par with Nashville’s large scale preparations. Dozens of streets downtown will be closed for the St. Jude Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon, including Broadway and parts of Interstate 40 in Nashville.
A Celebration of Fitness and Community
The Greater St. Louis Marathon is not just one day of running, but a celebration of community, perseverance and city pride. It’s the ending of months of training and dedication for participants. It’s an opportunity for the community to come together, support one another and let the spirit that makes St. Louis great show itself.
The 2025 Greater St. Louis Marathon, with proper planning, patience, and enthusiasm will be a memorable and inspiring event to all who were a part of it.
