Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon
Springfield, United States · November · Independent
Why people love it
- Aid about every 2 mi (3 km), with neighbourhoods running their own stations.
- Start and finish at Bass Pro Outdoor World with easy parking and an indoor warm-up space.
- Free massages, finish food and well-rated swag.
- Small marathon field (about 350 to 480) with friendly local support.
- Open entry, though one reviewer said it came close to selling out.
Watch out for
- November starts range from -7 °C (19 °F) to rain-soaked; dress for both.
- One reviewer warns of a significant hill late in the marathon.
- No elevation profile is published, so claims of flat versus rolling conflict.
- Few independent race reports; most evidence comes from one site.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.1
RaceRaves rates it 4.6 from 38 runners and 87% of 8 BibRave reviewers recommend it. Praise centres on neighbourhood support, aid and easy logistics. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.3
Runners praise registration, packet pickup, course marking and the finish area; one called it among the best organised marathons. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.1
A 2026 first-timer called it a wonderful first marathon. Mostly flat, aid every 2 mi (3 km), easy parking, one late hill. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.6
30 Boston qualifiers among about 476 finishers in 2025 (6.3%). Described as fast and flat, though cold, rain and a late hill can slow it. · Low confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryBeautiful3.5
Ozark fall colour, neighbourhoods, Route 66 and greenway trails. Mostly urban Springfield, not spectacular. · Medium confidence
- Room to runRoomy3.7
The marathon field is small (about 350 starters in 2022), so there is little congestion. The half shares the first 10 mi (16 km). · Low confidence
- Road surfaceGood3.7
Road surface listed paved with paved trails; no surface complaints found. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.8
Several streets closed and Springfield police and sheriff's deputies directed traffic in 2022, with no incidents reported. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessMostly flat3.5
No elevation figure is published. Reviewers split between fast and flat, and rolling with a significant hill late on. · Low confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Loop starting and finishing at Bass Pro Outdoor World, so no net change. Boston qualifier. · Medium confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSmooth4.1
Easy parking at Bass Pro, a compact expo with bib pickup up front, and an indoor warm-up space. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingGood3.7
A BibRave reviewer said pace group leaders were excellent. The range of pace groups is not known. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportStrong3.7
Reviewers repeatedly praise neighbourhood and spectator support, and some neighbourhoods run their own aid stations. The field is small. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.3
Aid roughly every 2 mi (3 km) with water, Powerade and toilets. Reviewers praise the volunteers, finish food and free massages. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindMostly calm3.5
No wind complaints found. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant3.6
Typical start about 3 °C (37 °F), highs near 12 °C (53 °F). The 2023 start was -7 °C (19 °F). · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Wide swings in five years: -7 °C (19 °F) in 2023, 24 °C (75 °F) in 2022, and rain with wind in 2024. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.5
The loop runs through neighbourhoods near the start and reviewers mention many spectators. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow4.4
Springfield sits at about 390 m (1,280 ft), a modest elevation. · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.7
Springfield has chain hotels around the Bass Pro area. No reviewer reports on availability. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.7
Mid-sized Midwest city with no price evidence. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.5
Start and finish are at Bass Pro Outdoor World, near hotels on Campbell Avenue. Walking distances are not confirmed. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.2
Springfield-Branson National is a regional airport. Most runners drive in from up to 40 states. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.1
Several reviewers describe easy registration, a compact expo and simple parking. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodFine3.4
Downtown Springfield, Route 66 history and Bass Pro attractions nearby. Reviewers say little about food. · Low confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inEasy4.0
Open entry. One reviewer said it came close to selling out. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyGood value3.9
Swag rated 4.3 on RaceRaves, with free massages and finish food. The entry fee was not found. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Springfield, Ozarks, United States
- Typical month
- November
- Latest or next date
- 1 November 2026
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 480 athletes
- First held
- 2007
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- loop
- Start time
- 07:00
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Paved streets and Ozark Greenways trails
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Rarely
- Air temperature
- 3–12 °C (37–54 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate
- Altitude
- 390 m (1,280 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Springfield-Branson National (SGF)
- Where to stay
- Near Bass Pro Outdoor World
- Booking
- Start and finish at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, which has an indoor warm-up space per a 2026 reviewer.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.6 from 38 runners (difficulty 2.7, scenery 3.8, production 4.7, swag 4.3). Reviewers agree on frequent aid, friendly neighbourhood support and smooth registration and packet pickup. One marathoner warns of a significant hill near the end.
“There are enough runners that it feels like a real race.”
- BibRave reviewsRaced various · aggregator · Positive
Eight reviewers, 87% would recommend it. Praise for easy parking, a compact expo, the Ozark route and pace groups. One said it rivals big-city marathons.
“pacers were excellent and so friendly”
- KY3 (Springfield TV) 2022Raced 2022 · article · neutral
Cold Sunday; 350 marathoners, 1,090 half and 1,145 5K runners. Police directed traffic. Half winner said the cold made it hard but worth it.
- KY3 (Springfield TV) 2024Raced 2024 · article · neutral
Over 3,000 people from 40 states, rain and tough weather, race director praised perseverance. Course covers neighbourhoods, trails, Route 66, Missouri State and downtown.
Raced Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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