The short version: The second San Antonio Marathon is Sunday, December 6, 2026, with the full and half starting at 7:15 a.m. and the SATX 5K on Friday night, December 4. Registration is open at the final tier: $199 for the marathon, $169 for the half, plus fees. There are no transfers or deferrals. The marathon has a 7-hour limit and is a Boston qualifier. It is the race that replaced Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio.
With the Dallas Marathon’s Sunday races and the Houston Marathon both sold out, San Antonio is the big Texas city marathon you can still enter this winter. Here is what you need to know, from the race’s own site and RunSignup listing as of September 29.
Race weekend at a glance
| Event | When | Price now* | Time limit | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | Sun., Dec. 6, 7:15 a.m. | $199 | 7 hours (16:01/mile), 3 cutoff points | 16 |
| Half marathon | Sun., Dec. 6, 7:15 a.m. | $169 | 4 hours (18:19/mile) | 14 |
| SATX 5K | Fri., Dec. 4, 8:00 p.m. | $69 | 1 hour | 7 |
*RunSignup’s current tier, before processing fees of $15.93 (marathon), $13.83 (half) and $6.83 (5K). Online registration closes December 5 (5K: December 4).
Run the Friday 5K and either Sunday race and you earn the SATX Two-Step medal. There are no relays or kids’ races. Military members and first responders get a discount through GovX. Register on our San Antonio Marathon race page.
From Rock ’n’ Roll to the city’s own marathon
Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio ran for 16 years before its last race in December 2024. Instead of renewing, the City of San Antonio and San Antonio Sports, the nonprofit that now owns and runs the event, started their own, the San Antonio Report reported. The first San Antonio Marathon on December 7, 2025 sold out with 18,544 runners from all 50 states and 22 countries, according to the race’s 2025 impact report. There is no Rock ’n’ Roll race in San Antonio in 2026; if you see one listed, it is a stale page.
The course
The 2026 marathon map is a tour of the city’s neighborhoods rather than a loop of downtown. It passes La Villita, the Tower of the Americas, San Fernando Cathedral, the Majestic Theatre and the River Walk, then heads north past the San Antonio Museum of Art, Brackenridge Park, the Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle, the University of the Incarnate Word, Trinity University, Olmos Dam and the Pearl before coming back past the Alamo to the finish at Hemisfair. Neighborhoods include King William, Monte Vista, Olmos Park and Alamo Heights. One mile is a “wear blue: run to remember” Tribute Mile for fallen service members.
Two things to know: the Missions are not on the course, and the race says routes may change. The FAQ still lists the start as “TBD,” while the 2026 map places it south of the finish near South Alamo Street by King William. (In 2025 it started at Main Plaza.) Check the official course page before race week.
Aid is generous: the marathon has 18 water stops, 9 with electrolyte drink, 2 gel stations and 8 medical tents. San Antonio Road Runners runs the pace groups. No bikes, strollers, skates or pets.
Weather: December doesn’t guarantee cool
KSAT reported 78°F and clear for the inaugural race, warm for a December marathon. San Antonio can just as easily get a cold front, so watch the forecast the week of the race and have a plan for both. Our guide to running in Texas heat explains how much warm weather slows your pace and why.
Expo, packet pickup and getting there
- Expo: Henry B. González Convention Center, Hall 4 A/B. Friday, Dec. 4, noon–8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Free and open to the public.
- Pickup rules: Bring a photo ID. There is no race-day pickup and nothing is mailed. 5K runners must pick up by 7 p.m. Friday.
- Parking: the whole route is a tow zone on race morning. Closure times had not been published as of Sept. 29; the race posts them on its street closures page. VIA bus detours: (210) 362-2020.
- Charity: the official benefiting partner is Face the Fight, which works to reduce veteran suicide. GovX is matching donations up to $25,000.
2025 results
- Men’s marathon: Colin Mickow (Oswego, Ill.), 2:22:25.
- Women’s marathon: Mina Glenesk of Austin, 2:53:45.
- Women’s half: Therese Olshanski, 1:17:08. Adaptive half: Kohen Grantom, 53:34.
- Finishers: 3,344 marathoners (2,193 men, 1,141 women), with an average time of 4:57:58, according to MarathonGuide.
Should you run San Antonio?
- Yes, if Houston or Dallas filled up and you want a big-city race in December. It is one week before Dallas and six weeks before Houston.
- Yes, if you want a Boston qualifier close to home. The 2028 qualifying window opened September 19, 2026, so a December time counts. Our Boston cutoff explainer covers how much buffer to aim for.
- Be sure before you pay. With no transfers or deferrals, an injury in November means a lost entry. Consider the insurance or wait until your long runs are done.
- Want something smaller? See the other San Antonio-area races, every marathon in Texas and half marathon in Texas, or the full December race calendar.
