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Running

Corps of Discovery Trail Races

Date
August 29, 2026
Distance
Half Marathon · 8 Mile · 5 Mile
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From the Organizer

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! 

 

Events

Half Marathon8 AMRegister →
8 Mile8 AMRegister →
5 Mile8 AMRegister →

Weather

Typical Conditions

It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.

Typical High

86°

Typical Low

63°

Chance of Rain

27%

Based on US Climate Normals data from St Peters 2 Se, 3 mi from the venue.

Sunrise 6:29 AMSunset 7:39 PMDaylight 13h 9m

Host City

About Saint Charles, MO

Population

71,048

as of 2023

Elevation

570 ft

Nearest Airport

STL

St. Louis Lambert International Airport · 9 mi

Time Zone

Central Time

From Endurance Grid

A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.

Race Location

Your Next Start Line

What Are You
Waiting For?

Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Corps of Discovery Trail Races, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.

82

Days to train

Race
Corps of Discovery Trail Races
Date
August 29, 2026

From Endurance Grid

About This Sport

Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.

With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.

Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.

Read the Guide

Running

From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Corps of Discovery Trail Races?
Corps of Discovery Trail Races is a running race held in Saint Charles, Missouri on August 29, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is the Corps of Discovery Trail Races?
Saturday, August 29, 2026 in Saint Charles, Missouri at Lewis and Clark Trailhead, Saint Charles, MO. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for the Corps of Discovery Trail Races?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

Corps of Discovery Trail Races

Aug 29, 2026

Register →