Quick answer: The St. Pete Marathon will host the 2027 USATF Florida Association Marathon Open and Masters Championships. The championships take place at our inaugural race in December 2027 on a flat, fast waterfront course through downtown St. Petersburg, and every registered runner lines up on the same start line as the championship field.
The Official Announcement
It’s official. The St. Pete Marathon has been named host of the 2027 USATF Florida Association Marathon Open and Masters Championships. The championships will be contested at our inaugural race in December 2027 in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
A championship needs a fast stage. Ours is a flat waterfront course through the heart of downtown St. Pete, with December weather built for racing. Some of the fastest marathoners in Florida will now be chasing state titles on that course, and they will be doing it at the very first running of the race.
What Open and Masters Divisions Mean
USATF association championships are typically contested in two divisions:
- Open division. The overall championship field, open to eligible athletes of any age. This is where the fastest marathoners in the state compete head to head.
- Masters division. The championship for athletes age 40 and over, with recognition across masters age groups.
Full championship eligibility details, including USATF membership requirements, will be published as race day approaches. If you plan to compete for a championship title, keep an eye on this site and our race communications for those specifics.
Why the Championships Are Coming to St. Pete
Championship racing rewards courses where fitness decides the outcome, not hills, heat, or logistics. That is exactly what this race was built for:
- A flat, fast course. The route runs through downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront core with no bridge climbs to break up your rhythm.
- December racing weather. St. Pete’s mild winter gives runners cool morning conditions that favor fast times.
- A purpose built race. From aid station spacing to start and finish logistics in the same downtown area, the event was designed for racing from day one.
You can explore the route in more detail on our course page.
What This Means for Your Race
The championships are run within the St. Pete Marathon, not as a separate event. That means every registered runner shares the same start line, the same course, and the same finish line as the best marathoners in Florida.
And because this is our inaugural race, everyone who runs it gets something no future field ever will. You can say you were there for the first one, the year the championships came to St. Pete.
Ultra Early Bird registration is open now. If a championship field on a fast December course sounds like your kind of race day, this is the time to lock in your spot.
Run the championship race
Ultra Early Bird registration for the St. Pete Marathon is open now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What championships will the St. Pete Marathon host in 2027?
The St. Pete Marathon will host the 2027 USATF Florida Association Marathon Open and Masters Championships at its inaugural race in December 2027 in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
Do I have to be an elite runner to participate?
No. The championships are contested within the St. Pete Marathon itself, so runners of every level register for the same race and share the same start line, course, and finish line as the championship field.
What is the difference between the Open and Masters divisions?
The Open division is the overall championship for eligible athletes of any age. The Masters division is the championship for athletes age 40 and over. Full eligibility details will be published closer to race day.
Is registration open?
Yes. Ultra Early Bird registration for the December 2027 race is open now at stpetemarathon.com.