St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend takes place on Sat, Dec 5, 2026 in Memphis, United States. The main route is 42.2 km.
- Date
- Sat, Dec 5, 2026
- Start
- Memphis 🇺🇸
- Distance
- 42.2 km
- Climbing
- 214 m
- Level
- Open to all
Your 9-week plan to St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend
The Build phase starts this week. Built around your fitness and adjusted every day as your form changes; attach the course and it prepares for the climbs too.
Build my planFree to start · No credit card
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend features multiple distances including a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K, serving as a major annual charity event to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
What this race demands
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend requires athletes to complete a 42.2 kilometer running distance in early December.
Aerobic endurance
Covering the full 42.2 kilometer distance demands sustained cardiovascular capacity and muscular stamina over an extended duration.
Late-season pacing
Racing a marathon in December requires disciplined energy distribution to manage fatigue across the entire distance.
Aim for 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour to sustain energy output throughout the marathon duration.
What would it take you?
Pick the level closest to yours for an estimate of finish time on this course and the training a solid preparation needs.
Estimated finish
3:55–4:45
Peak-week training
5–7 h/week
A model estimate from distance, climbing and level, not a promise. Conditions, drafting and pacing move it.
IntervalCoach turns those weekly hours into a concrete plan built around your actual fitness. Start with this race as your goal
Your road to race day
Race day at St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is 9 weeks away. This is how a coach divides that time. The first phase starts now.
01Build3 weeks · Oct 4, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026
Progressive overload: training load climbs in waves, with harder weeks stacked on the base and planned recovery weeks that let the gains land.
02Peak3 weeks · Oct 25, 2026 – Nov 14, 2026
The hardest weeks of the plan: race-specific intensity at nearly full training load, sharpening exactly what this race asks for.
03Taper2 weeks · Nov 15, 2026 – Nov 28, 2026
Volume drops while intensity stays: short, sharp efforts keep the legs awake as fatigue drains away.
04Race week1 week · Nov 29, 2026 – Dec 5, 2026
Openers, rest and logistics. The work is done; the job now is arriving fresh.
Frequently asked questions
When is St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend?
St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend takes place on Sat, Dec 5, 2026 in Memphis, United States.
How long is St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend?
The main route is 42.2 km.
What does St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend demand?
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend requires athletes to complete a 42.2 kilometer running distance in early December.
How much climbing does St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend have?
St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend has 214 m of climbing.
Who is St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend for?
St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is open to all participants.
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