16 running, walking, and fun run events in Saint Charles, Missouri

The St. Luke’s New Town Triathlon has become one of the most popular triathlons in the Midwest. Originally a biathlon started many years ago, the event evolved into the John Howard New Town Duathlon, and now in its current format as an ‘almost’ Olympic distance triathlon.

This year the distances remain at a .62 mile Swim, 20 mile Bike and a 4 mile Run for the Long Course, and .3 mile Swim, 17 mile Bike and a 2 mile Run for the Sprint Course. The Kid’s Triathlon and EXPO will be held on Saturday, July 11th and the main event will be on Sunday, July 12th, 2026.

Set in New Town, St.Charles, the venue is tailor made for a fast race. The flat course profile makes this event the perfect race to open up full bore or try the sport of triathlon for the first time.

Sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital and produced by Big Shark Bicycle Company/Big Shark Events.

We encourage you to sign up early to get a jump on the competition! You can also train with us at our Open Water Swim Series running almost every Saturday from May 2nd through June 27th, 2026. There will not be swims on Memorial Day Weekend and July 4th Weekend.

Lace up your sneakers and grab your lederhosen because the Saint Charles Oktoberfest Wurst Race Ever 5K and 10K is taking over Historic St. Charles on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Whether you are aiming for a personal best or just here for the festive atmosphere, this event brings the spirit of Munich right to the cobblestone streets.

The course winds through the scenic views of Frontier Park and the Missouri River, offering a perfect backdrop for a morning run. You can choose your distance and then stick around to enjoy the festivities that make this weekend a local staple.

Participating in this race does more than just get your heart rate up. All proceeds go toward supporting the Saint Charles Oktoberfest and the St. Charles Regional Chamber Foundation. These funds play a critical role in workforce development and talent attraction initiatives throughout the county, helping to build a stronger professional community for everyone.

Registration includes:

• Official race shirt

• Finisher medal

• A great reason to treat yourself to a beer afterward

Register now to secure your spot in the most spirited race of the year. Let's hit the pavement and make an impact on our local workforce together.

The Whiskey Run St. Charles/St. Louis is the perfect race for seasoned runners or amateur enthusiasts looking for a run that doesn’t skimp on the fun. Expect great 5K and 10K routes followed by local food pairings, whiskey samples, and music. In its fourth year, the run includes venues all across the southeast, with races scheduled in Atlanta, Nashville, Huntsville, Rome, GA and Knoxville.

The run is produced by Run Rhino. A Chattanooga-based company known for putting on unique races and events, including 7 Bridges Marathon, Scenic City Mud Run, the Caffeine Run, the World Run, and the Southeastern Santa Hustle Race Series.

Hear What Other Racers Have to Say About The Whiskey Run:

“I just wanted to thank you for such a fun event today! So thankful the run gods were on our side and brought in all the good weather. It was a gorgeous route, a beautiful day, and the people were all just fantastic. It was such a well-run event.”

• Christiana V.

The Second Annual Backyard Ultra marathon in New Town, Missouri will be held October 10th, 2026. Event registration will start at 7:00 AM, and the race will begin at 8:00 AM. The event will consist of a 4.17 mile loop and runners will have up until the next hour to be back in time to start the next loop. Registration for the event is $25 to cover costs, but to run each loop you must put a dollar into a race jar. The winner of this last person standing race will receive half of the jar, while the other half will be donated to MSMDS charity. If you just want to come run some laps but can’t start at 8:00 AM, we would love to see you come out and try to PR at any hour time slot. (you just won’t be able to win the overall money jar prize.) Each participant that completes a lap will be given a custom NewTown Ultra DNF token.

Race location will be at the amphitheater in New Town in Saint Charles, Missouri. https://maps.apple.com/place?coordinate=38.836652,-90.494863&name=Marked%20Location&map=h

This is where registration and start of each lap will be. There is an area with bathrooms and where runners can set up their area in between laps for refueling, relaxing, and making friends. There are multiple restaurants, coffee shop, ice cream shacks around that will have food available as well. The race will have volunteers staffed until 12pm Sunday, October 11th which would mean ~116.8 miles! If two runners are still going at that time, accommodations will be made to keep the race going since we would love to see two make it that far!

With the $25 covering the cost of coins and other race related expenses, we ask you consider donating to a cause that is near and dear to our hearts. Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome (MSMDS), an ultra-rare genetic disease affecting only 70 patients worldwide, mostly children.

Braxley is who we are running for and she is two of our racers amazing warrior niece. Braxley is a fun, loving and sassy 3 year old. She enjoys coloring, tumbling and playing with her dogs, brother and cousins. Braxley suffers from a rare disease called Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome, or MSMDS for short. A life threatening condition caused by mutations in the ACTA2 gene.

MSMDS is an ultra-rare genetic disorder that affects the smooth muscle cells throughout the body--including those in the vascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and urinary systems. Children born with ACTA2-related MSMDS often face serious, debilitating complications such as early-onset strokes, aortic dilation with risk for dissection or rupture at a young age, periventricular white matter lesions, chronically dilated and fixed pupils, chronic interstitial lung disease, hypotonic bladder and recurrent urinary infections. Many do not survive past early childhood. For those who do, the journey is filled with constant medical intervention, high-risk surgeries and a deep uncertainty about the future.

There is an amazing team of doctors and researchers working on gene therapy to help patients like Braxley. They were prepared to start a clinical trial in February of 2026. Due to cuts from the federal government, the team never received the grant to move forward. They're now in limbo of waiting on if/when they will receive the grant. Because of how quickly the disease is progressing for Braxley, she does not have the time to sit around and wait. There's hope that there's help out there, but it's an arms length away. We need champions who will support funding for research. Please consider becoming one of those champions. The lives of children and families living with ACTA2 related MSMDS depend on it.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/ali-and-nate-hodson

Please sign up and tell your friends that we would love to see the run one or 21 loops and push themselves to new heights!

Don't miss the fun and excitement of the 15th annual MO' Cowbell Race on November 8, 2026! Four events to choose from on Sunday morning, the Marathon, the Half-Marathon, 10K or the 5K. Flat & fast courses, perfect for beginners or those who want to set a new personal best!

Registration for the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K, or the 5K includes:

• Commemorative performance long-sleeve swag

• One-of-a-Kind finisher medal

• FREE and convenient parking

• Free downloadable photos for all participants

• Two-day Health and Fitness ExMO' Packet Pickup

• Family friendly post race party with lots of food, fun, and music

Registration for the Virtual Run includes:

• 2026 One-Of-A-Kind Finisher Medal

• Shipping and handling of your medal to you

• Option to add on race swag

Santa's North Pole Dash

Saturday, December 5, 2026 in Historic St. Charles, MO

Dust off your bell-bottoms, polish up your dancing shoes, and get ready to groove! The most wonderful run of the year is back! Welcome to the 16th Annual Santa’s North Pole Dash, where this year’s theme is officially Disco Santa! We are bringing the funk to the frost on Saturday, December 5, 2026, kicking off at 8:30 AM.

Held in beautiful, festive Historic St. Charles, this beloved tradition celebrates the beginning of the city’s world-famous holiday season. Whether you are a seasoned sprinter or a casual stroller, we have a lane for you with both 5K and 1-Mile options. Both courses are fully timed, so you can race for a personal best or just dance your way to the finish line.

The Grooviest Swag in Town

Registered participants will get loaded up with exclusive, limited-edition gear to keep you looking cool while staying warm!

• Themed Runner Shirt: High-quality, Disco Santa-approved threads.

• Themed Santa Hat: A festive cap with a retro, funky twist.

• Finisher Medal: A custom piece of bling to commemorate your 16th-anniversary hustle.

More Than Just a Race: It's a Holiday Party!

We are turning up the volume on fun this year. Stick around before and after the dash to enjoy:

• Fresh Donuts: Warm, sweet treats waiting for you at the finish line.

• Giant Snowglobe: Step inside our massive, life-sized snowglobe for the ultimate holiday photo-op.

• Costume Contest: Channel your inner Disco Diva or Studio 54 Santa. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative, retro, and festive looks!

• Runner Prizes: Awards for top finishers across multiple age categories.

Event Details at a Glance

• When: Saturday, December 5, 2026

• Time: Race starts promptly at 8:30 AM

• Where: Historic St. Charles, MO

• Distances: 5K (Timed) & 1-Mile (Timed)

• Ages & Abilities: All are welcome! Strollers and walking groups encouraged.

Can you dig it? Lace up your sneakers, grab your tinsel, and let’s make the 16th year the brightest one yet.