2ND Annual
River to River Marathon (2nd Annual) is a running race on May 1, 2027 in Louisiana, IL, with an entry fee of $79.
From the Organizer
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.
Weather
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
69°
Typical Low
49°
Chance of Rain
37%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Bowling Green 1 E, 8 mi from the venue.
Host City
Nearest Airport
UIN
Quincy Regional Airport Baldwin Field · 36 mi
Major Hub
STL
St. Louis Lambert International Airport · 60 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at River to River Marathon (2nd Annual), put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
236
Days to train
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From Endurance Grid
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.
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
River to River Marathon (2nd Annual)
May 1, 2027