Corps of Discovery Trail Races

Ready to follow in the footsteps of legends? The St. Louis Track Club invites you to the bluffs of the Missouri River for the 2026 Corps of Discovery Trail Races. Whether you're looking for a fast-and-flowy 5-miler or a hilly half marathon, these historic trails have a challenge waiting for you.

⚠️ SLTC Member Perk: Current members receive an automatic $10 discount at checkout! (Make sure to use the email associated with your membership). Not a member yet? Click here to join and save!

Choose your Adventure

All distances kick off at 8:00 AM from the Lewis & Clark Trailhead in Weldon Spring.

• The Clark (5 Miles): A single, scenic loop of the Clark Trail. Perfect for those new to trails or looking to burn through the hardwood-lined ridges.
• The Lewis (8 Miles): A rugged loop of the Lewis Trail featuring stunning river views and hollow-to-ridge climbs. 
• The Expedition (Half Marathon): The ultimate test. You’ll conquer the 8-mile Lewis loop first, then head back out to tackle the 5-mile Clark loop. 

View the courses: 5-Mile Map | 8-Mile Map | Half Marathon Map

Swag & Awards

• The deadline: Register by August 15th to guarantee your race shirt. 
• All race finishers will receive a medal. 
• Overall awards (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) will be given to female, male and non-binary winners for each distance. 

Race Day Logistics:

⏱️ Schedule & Cut-offs

• 6:30 AM: Packet Pick-up opens near the start line.
• 8-8:10 AM: Race waves begin (Half Marathon, 8 Mile, 5 Mile).
• 12:00 PM: Course officially closes (4-hour limit).

👟 Pace requirements: 

• 5-Mile distance: 48-minute/mile
• 8-Mile distance: 30-minute/mile
• Half Marathon distance: 18:19-minute/mile. Half marathon participants must start the 5-mile Clark Trail loop by 10:30 a.m.

♻️ Cup-Free Policy

In our mission to keep the Weldon Spring Conservation Area pristine, this is a CUP-FREE event. No paper cups will be provided. Please carry your own bottle or hydration pack. We will provide plenty of water and Tailwind Nutrition at our aid stations to keep you moving!

We’re proud to partner with Hydrapak’s Sustainable Racing Program to help reduce race day waste in 2026! 

Each runner will receive a reusable HydraPak SpeedCup at packet pickup to use throughout the race. Our amazing volunteers and staff have worked hard to create a seamless aid station experience for you. 

At every aid station, they’ll be ready to fill your cup, or you can use the self-serve coolers stocked with water and electrolytes for quick and easy access. Let’s race responsibly together! 

🚗 Parking & Safety

• Location: Park at the Weldon Spring Interpretive Site (7295 RT-94, St. Charles, MO). Follow signs to the secondary lot.
• Road Crossing: You will need to cross Hwy 94 to get to the start line from the Interpretive Center. Please use the coned safety lane and follow volunteer directions. Watch for vehicle traffic on Hwy 94. 
• Drop Bags: A designated area for bags will be available at the Start/Finish line. Please label your gear!

Aid Station Support

• 5-Mile (Clark trail): Manned station at Mile 3 (Water, Tailwind, snacks).
• 8-Mile (Lewis Trail): Water-only station at Mile 4; Manned station at Mile 6.5.
• Half Marathon: Access to all Lewis stations, a full reload at the Start/Finish (Mile 8.2), and a final manned station at Mile 12.

Thank you to our sponsors Tailwind Nutrition and Hydrapak! 

Ready to test your limits? The Corps of Discovery Trail Races brings a highly anticipated Half-Marathon, 12.9K, 8K to Saint Charles on August 29, 2026. Expect a fantastic route right in the heart of Missouri.