Check out this turn-by-turn description of the flattest, fastest course in the St. Louis Region!
MILE 1
The USATF Certified MO’ Cowbell Half Marathon has quite the picturesque start with Frontier Park and the Missouri River to the right as runners head north on Riverside and turn left on Clark.
The course spends less than a quarter mile on Clark before turning right onto 2nd Street also known as Hwy 94.
The one-mile mark is just past the intersection of N. 2nd & French.
MILE 2
Runners continue heading north on 2nd Street past quaint storefronts of Old Town St. Charles then turn right on Tecumseh.
The course then takes a left on N. Main Street which becomes N. River Road.
The two-mile mark is on N. River Road, just a quarter mile or so after passing under the 370 overpass.
MILE 3
Fluid Station #1 is just after the two-mile mark at the parking area for the Dusable Dog Park.
Runners continue on N. River Road running parallel to the Katy Trail and Missouri River on the right and with plenty of green fields and trees on the left.
The N. River Road bears left and becomes Hawning Rd.
The three-mile mark is on the N. River Road just before Hawning Rd.
MILE 4
Runners continue on Hawning Road for just over a half mile as it heads toward Hwy 94. The course takes a right at 94 and heads north to the northern most point of the course.
The 4-mile mark about a quarter mile after the turn onto Hwy 94, just north of Joyce.
MILE 5
Runners continue on Hwy 94 to State Hwy B. Runners make a left on Hwy B and another quick left onto Boschertown Road and are greeted by cheering volunteers at Fluid Station #2.
The 5-mile mark is a quarter mile after turning onto Boschertown Road.
MILE 6
Enter New Town by turning right onto Island Harbor which becomes Sublette Street.
This course is meant to be pretty darn fast, but there are a few turns as the runners tour New Town.
Just after Sublette Street curves left, runners take a right onto Barter Street.
Runners head west on Barter St. then left onto Hempstead and then turn south on Galt House Drive.
Runners are officially in New Town at the six-mile mark, which is on Galt House Drive.
MILE 7
Follow Galt House as it borders the New Town Lake and then as it bends right to Rue Royale St. Head north onto Rue Royale Street and then loop west onto Outer Civic Circle to Domain.
Runners make a short jog south on Domain St. to N. New Town Ave. then run west thru a tree-lined alley along the canal in the center of New Town and quickly turn left again onto South New Town Avenue.
Heading east, runners turn right on Domain, then loop back left on Outer Civic Circle, then left on Rue Royale Street to New Town Lake Drive.
Runners head east on New Town Lake Drive toward Granger Boulevard with the canal on their left.
Mile seven is on New Town Lake Drive just after the turn from Rue Royale.
MILE 8
Runners continue east and turn left on Granger at the corner of New Town Lake.
Heading north on Granger Boulevard runners reach Fluid & Fuel Station #3 before they turn right onto Barter to rejoin the out-and-back portion of the course.
Before this mile is complete runners turn left on Sublette Street and continue on Island Harbor toward the exit of New Town.
The eight-mile mark is on Island Harbor about 200 meters before exiting New Town.
MILE 9
Say goodbye to New Town as you turn right on Boschertown Road.
The remainder of mile nine is slightly downhill, fast straight-away south on Boschertown.
Mile 9 is near the north entrance to Charlestowne Village.
MILE 10
Say hello to some hills as you enter mile 10! For the first time on this mostly pancake flat course you’ll have to pump the arms and call on the quads to do some climbing.
Before you turn left onto the aptly named Little Hills Expressway, volunteers at Fluid Station #4 will cheer you on your way.
The ten-mile mark is a little less than a half mile after turning onto Little Hills.
MILE 11
This mile is the only truly tough mile on the course. Before this is child’s play and after this it’s mostly smooth sailing to the finish.
Runners remain on Little Hills Expressway for most of this stretch before turning onto Mel Wetter Parkway.
The 11-mile mark is not long after the turn onto Mel Wetter Parkway.
MILE 12
What goes up must come down right? Runners will enjoy a nice downhill as they continue on N. 5th Street followed by another slight uphill.
Runners make a left on Olive Street and are welcomed by volunteers at the Fluid Station #5.
Here half-marathoners will wish marathoners Good Luck and turn right onto 2nd
MILE 13
As if the first ten miles of flat roads weren’t enough to make this a fast course, the last mile rewards runners for their hard work with a big downhill finish!
After continuing on 2nd Street runners then turn left on Clark followed by a right onto Riverside Drive. There they have a straightaway of less than a half a mile to the finish on Riverside just north of First Capitol.
We recommend getting there as fast as you can so you can enjoy all the post-race fun in Frontier Park!