Missouri in late fall is quietly one of the best places in the country to run 13.1. The summer humidity has finally let go, the trees along the Katy Trail and the Ozark hillsides are doing their annual show, and race morning air has that crisp edge that makes the first mile feel easy for once. If you have been circling a fall half marathon on the calendar, this is the season to commit — and Missouri has four races worth planning a weekend around.
Here is what is coming up between late October and early November 2026, plus what makes each one worth a look.
2026 Innsbrook Half Marathon — Saturday, October 24, 2026
Wright City
If you want the fall colors without the big-city crowds, start here. The Innsbrook Half Marathon lands in Wright City in late October, right when the leaves are at their best, and it has the feel of a race that locals quietly love and outsiders have not fully discovered yet. It is a solid pick for runners who care more about a pretty, low-key morning than a giant expo — and a great option if this is your first half and you would rather not share the start line with thousands of strangers.
2026 Bass Pro Conservation Half Marathon — Sunday, November 1, 2026
Springfield
Springfield's Bass Pro Conservation Half Marathon opens November with a race that pairs a fall morning with a cause-minded weekend. Early November in the Ozarks usually means cool starts and comfortable finishes, which is close to ideal for 13.1. If you are based in southwest Missouri, or you are looking for a reason to make a weekend of it in Springfield, this one slots in perfectly before the season gets crowded.
MO' Cowbell Marathon/Half-Marathon/10K/5K — Sunday, November 8, 2026
Saint Charles
This is the headliner. The MO' Cowbell races take over Saint Charles on Sunday, November 8, and the half marathon here is the kind of race people come back to year after year. It is a runner favorite by our scoring — one of the highest-rated half marathons in the state — and the multi-distance setup means you can bring along friends and family who are not ready for 13.1 yet. If you are picking one Missouri half this fall, this is the one to circle.
Saint Louis Half Marathon and 5K — Sunday, November 8, 2026
Saint Louis
Same day, different city, equally worth your attention. The Saint Louis Half Marathon and 5K gives you a big-city race day in early November, with the energy and crowd support that comes with running through St. Louis. It is a standout pick in our ratings, and the paired 5K makes it an easy race to share with a partner, a friend, or a kid who is testing the distance. Note the date: it falls on the same Sunday as MO' Cowbell, so you will have to choose — a good problem to have.
How to Pick Your Missouri Half
A few honest questions to ask yourself before you register:
- Do you want scenery or city energy? Innsbrook leans scenic and quiet; Saint Louis leans big and buzzing.
- Do you want a multi-distance weekend? Both MO' Cowbell and the Saint Louis races offer shorter distances alongside the half, which makes them easy to turn into a group trip.
- How far are you willing to travel? Springfield and Wright City are the more out-of-the-way options; Saint Charles and Saint Louis are the easiest to build a weekend around.
Whichever you choose, register soon. Fall half marathons in Missouri fill up as the weather cools and everyone remembers they signed up for something in January. Training through October is a genuinely pleasant assignment — cool mornings, long-run weather that finally cooperates, and a finish line that comes with actual fall foliage instead of August haze.
See Every Missouri Half Marathon
These four are the ones on the calendar for October and November 2026, but they are not the whole story. If you are chasing a specific month, a specific distance, or a specific part of the state, start with the full directory.
See all half marathons in Missouri — every upcoming race, with dates, cities, and details in one place. Whether this is your first 13.1 or one of many, Missouri has a start line with your name on it this fall.