The St. Petersburg Marathon is the first ever 26.2-mile race staged entirely in St. Petersburg. The marathon course has been accurately measured per USATF certification standards and certified (FL19019TY) and is a Boston Qualifier. With perfect Florida running weather in February, and a beautiful flat course, this is a newer marathon worth checking out.
How does the St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon Rank?
The St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon was the 169th largest marathon in the U.S. last year.
This year 5.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 6.7% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon the 279th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 76th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.63 ranks it as the 73rd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in Florida.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon a PR Score of 98.03. This PR Score ranks it as the 260th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 11th fastest in Florida.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 52 feet (15m) Min Elevation: 1 feet (0m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon
View available accomodations around the St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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How Fast Can You Go?
If you ran the St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon in 4:56:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.
Recent St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon Reviews
John's review of 2024 St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
Review
February in St Pete! Weather is great, the views along the water, the houses spectacular! The pre dawn start is great to miss the bulk of the blistering sun.
Great water stations, volunteers, quick results. After race refreshments were spectacular.
Race Tips
Be a little prepared for the humidity. Temperature is great, but if you're from a dry climate you may want to arrive early to acclimate some.
Arrive early. The line for the porta potties was ridiculously long. People were running to the start from the portolets, me included. Wish they would fix this next year.
CO's review of 2024 St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
The race starts out beautifully as far as scenery goes but the race is not well supported or attended. There is a long stretch between miles 10&23 that are mostly in the sun and aid stations are very far apart and ran out of water. Lots of dehydration because the race was advertised as fully supported. If you do this race you have to plan your own hydration because they leave you hanging. There also isn't any local excitement built for the race. Packet pickup consists of 4 tents. No celebration. There were long stretches without any people cheering etc. it was kind of boring. Overall was disappointing.
Race Tips
Bring your own water and don't have to go to the bathroom. They say there's lots of toilets along route but that was not true AT ALL.
CV's review of 2024 St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon.
1 /
5 Stars
Review
Liked: Race was basically flat and the route was great. It started at 6:30.
Didn't like: Four of the 17 water stations were out of all water and Gatorade and it was sunny and nearly 80 degrees! Runners were given a handout at packet pickup urging us to find our own sources of water if we required more than what the course offered No gels were available; runners were told to bring their own. An early start was offered but runners were told that they would be disqualified if they came in before a certain time. The only timing mats were at the start and end, no others. No mat at the 16 mile turnaround just a cone (and no volunteer). This is troubling given that this is a Boston qualifier. Finally, I did not finish the race but was still listed in my age group.
Eric H's review of 2019 St. Petersburg Distance Classic Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
This was the inaugural event for the St Petersburg Distance Classic but run by a local veteran race director and it showed. The course was amazing and flat, the volunteers were amazing and plentiful, the aid stations were well stocked with water, gatorade, and even orange slices at a few along the way. The only thing I'd like to see, which I know won't happen, is energy gels at some of the aid stations. He just doesn't offer them
Race Tips
First things first, it's a Boston Qualifier. Since the course itself is extremely flat and extremely fast you can expect this to be a good qualifying event in the years to come. You only have to worry about 2 pedestrian bridges that you run twice on the Pinellas Trail. It's an out and back course so it's a quick exit when over. However, if you're not early, parking can be pretty far away if you're stuck at one of the garages in downtown St Pete. As the inaugural event, I imagine it will continue to grow in the future but don't expect much in the way of vendors at the after party. All said, it was a great event and should be a fun run for anyone that likes a thinner crowd with room to maneuver.
