Runners familiar with GO! St. Louis may associate it with the Greater St. Louis Marathon. The annual race celebrated its 26th year in April, but the nonprofit is far from the finish line for 2026, with a recently announced slate of events to keep runners of all ages active throughout the summer.
“It’s pretty turnkey for people,” says GO! St. Louis president Mona Vespa. “All you have to do is grab a pair of shoes and head out the front door.”
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To that end, the organization’s summer series has something for everyone. The event kicks off June 6 with the KT82 Trail Relay, in which teams of three or six runners traverse an 82-mile course through the Missouri countryside from Creve Coeur Airport in Maryland Heights to wine country in Hermann. The event will be capped off with an afterparty, complete with barbecue and libations.
“From our perspective, it’s an easy lift to organize these short races, but it also fits the theme,” Vespa says. “It’s a fun way to do a summer race and get people out to places maybe they haven’t been before.”
Vespa adds that the summer program is intended to be a laidback, approachable experience and an introduction to the running community. It also takes advantage of a current boom in interest for running events and clubs. She attributes the uptick to two main factors: a younger average age of runners and increased diversity in the local scene.
“We see a lot of people in their 20s out there doing the running clubs and making it a social event,” Vespa says. “There also are several running groups now that haven’t always been represented in the community, and that’s awesome to see.”
Families looking for a fast, fun way to celebrate Father’s Day weekend will want to circle June 21 on the calendar for the All-American 5K and Fun Run. The 5K course begins in Kirkwood and ends in Webster Groves; there will also be a shorter, 1-mile option.
Then, June 25–August 6, four separate Thursday night races comprise the Summer Sizzle series. Ranging from a 2-mile run at Shaw Park and ending with a 5K at George Winter Park, each of the four races also offers a shorter, 1-mile course.
“They’re all designed around a quick evening race during the week, and summer is a great time to do that,” Vespa says. “Listen to some music, hang out in the park afterward—it’s a more social event. Come for the run, but also hang out with your family, friends, and fellow racers.”
Participants can find more details and sign up for the events at gostlouis.org.
