River to River Marathon ( )

Second Annual River to River Marathon
Run from one great American river to another.

The Second Annual River to River Marathon is a one-of-a-kind, point-to-point endurance race beginning along the Mississippi River in Louisiana, Missouri. From there, runners cross into Illinois and travel through the wide-open river bottoms and rural countryside of Pike County before finishing near the Illinois River in Pearl, Illinois.

This is not another city marathon filled with loops, crowded streets and concrete. It is 26.2 honest miles across the heart of rural America—past farmland, small communities and miles of open country between two legendary rivers.

The River to River Marathon was created to be simple, challenging and unforgettable. Whether you are chasing a personal record, completing your first marathon or looking for a race with a story worth telling, this course gives every runner the opportunity to say:

I ran from the Mississippi River to the Illinois River.

Four-Person River Relay
Not ready to tackle all 26.2 miles alone? Gather four runners and cross Pike County together.

Each member of the four-person relay team will complete one section of the marathon course. At each exchange point, the team’s baton will be passed to the next runner until the final teammate carries it across the finish line at the Illinois River.

But this isn’t a track meet—and you won’t be passing an ordinary aluminum tube.

What Is the Baton?
We aren’t telling you yet.

Unmistakably connected to the River to River experience and unlike anything you have carried in another relay.

You’ll have to register, assemble your team and show up on race morning to find out exactly what you’re carrying across Pike County.

Choose your challenge:

Run all 26.2 miles as an individual
Divide the course among a four-person relay team
Carry the mystery baton from the Mississippi River to the Illinois River
No loops.
No big-city congestion.
Just two rivers, four runners and one unforgettable trip across Pike County.

Join us for the Second Annual River to River Marathon—and prepare to carry something you probably weren’t expecting.