Meramec Marathon

Meramec River Marathon Paddle Race

2025 Registration Open now

-Race info-

meramec River marathon paddle race
Race day: June 21st, 2025
events: Paddle race
Location: Meramec River-Finish at Greentree Park
time: 7:30am

RACER UPDATE (06/17/24 6:07pm):

Hey Folks!

Its race week and I have some news for you. Hopefully this will answer the questions that some of you have, but if I don’t cover everything, please feel free to reply to this email and I’ll take care of you!

First of all, this is a historic race! I made the move back to summer and we have the largest field this race has ever had (Plus a DRAGON BOAT!)! I anticipated a bump moving back to summer, but this is incredible! Thank you all so much for supporting this race and please hang in there with some of the growing pains.

Second, the shuttle.

I’m a bit anxious with our bus company, First Student. They’ve had a lot of questions and I’m answering everything immediately, but we aren’t the usual kids field trip for them. Since there’s been some buzz with concern for everyone making it on time, I’m pushing back the start to 7:30am and 9:30am. This should give us a little more time to drop off boats.

Pacific Palisades says it opens at 4am, but I wont have volunteers there to watch boats and gear until 5am. Please leave all of your gear in/on your craft before you leave for the shuttle. You will need to leave Palisades by 6am to make the 25 minute drive and get onto the shuttle before it leaves Greentree at 6:30am to head back to the start at Pacific Palisades.

That means the shuttle will arrive at 7am. Then we launch boats and hold upstream for a safety meeting and start at 7:30am for the Marathon.

The Short Course will be ready for you to drop your boats off at 7am at the Al Foster Trailhead. We will use the grass by the small gravel lot closest to the river to drop off your boats and gear. You will need to leave Al Foster by 8:00am to make the 22 minute drive and get onto the shuttle before it leaves Greentree at 8:30am to head back to the start at Al Foster.

That means the shuttle will arrive at 9am. Then we will launch boats and hold upstream for a safety meeting at start at 9:30am for the Short Course.

With all of that being said, you can have a friend bring you and your boat to your starting line and drop you off. They’re welcome to come down to the finish and cheer you in. If you’re planning on managing your own shuttle, let me know.

Lastly, RaceOwl.

Jon Marble is the rockstar with this. He is racing with you, so if you want your race to be accurate, don’t pass him (kidding). Seriously, give this guy a thank you for all he does for paddling events like this.

You must download RaceOwl Racer onto your smartphone to track your time and location during the race. Make sure to update to the latest version and give it permissions. Want to select your Race. Then make sure to select your divisions and use your boat number from registration as well as your phone number. Once your registered, make sure your tracking is turned on and ready to go. For more: PLEASE WATCH VIDEOS HERE: https://raceowl.com/Home/Training

Anything else? Let’s have a blast on the river.

Jarrid Snyder

Race Director

Alpine Shop

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Are you ready for a-whole-nother type of adventure?

Join us for 26 miles of fluid raceway for the fourth year of the Meramec Marathon Paddle Race. Your strength and stamina will be put to the test as you take on the meandering Meramec River in your choice of kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard.

In sticking with Alpine Shop tradition, we host the afterparty at the finish line with beer sponsored by 4Hands Brewing and will give away loads of prizes. So make sure to stick around and plan your next paddle trip!

Course Maps

2025 Course is posted

The 2025 long course starts on the Meramec River at Pacific Palisades Conservation Area and finishes at Greentree Park in Kirkwood. The short course starts near the Al Foster Trail Head and finishes at Greentree Park in Kirkwood.

Event Goodies

T-shirts, 4Hands beer, BBQ, and more.

PADDLER essentials

Race capacity, gear, age limits, shuttle, and more.

The Meramec River

One of the longest free-flowing waterways in Missouri, draining 3,980 square miles while wandering 218 miles from headwaters near Salem to where it empties into the Mississippi River near St. Louis at Arnold and Oakville