San Antonio is gearing up to host a brand-new marathon in 2025, marking a significant shift in the city’s running landscape. Executives from San Antonio Sports and the City of San Antonio announced the launch of the San Antonio Marathon, an event poised to become a signature race for the city, as it steps away from its long-standing partnership with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series.
The inaugural San Antonio Marathon, organized by the city’s nonprofit sports commission, is set to debut on December 7, 2025. Registration is already open for the event, which is anticipated to attract over 18,000 runners and walkers. This announcement comes as San Antonio prepares to welcome thousands of attendees for The Running Event, North America’s largest running convention, scheduled for December 2-4.
A New Chapter for San Antonio Running
The move to establish a city-owned marathon signifies a strategic decision to cultivate a unique running event that truly reflects San Antonio’s identity. Jenny Carnes, CEO of San Antonio Sports, emphasized that the timing was right to create something new and distinctly San Antonian. “Over the course of 16 years, we have seen our city grow and evolve, as has San Antonio Sports, which is why now is the right time,” Carnes stated at the event unveiling the marathon’s name and logo. The vision is to create a “destination marathon” that showcases the city’s beauty and attracts both local and international participants.
This new venture means the end of the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio marathon, an event that has been a fixture in the city for 16 years. Past participants of the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio received an email from the organizers expressing their disappointment at not returning in 2025. The email conveyed that the City of San Antonio and San Antonio Sports had chosen to pursue their own event, concluding their partnership for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series in San Antonio after the upcoming December 7th and 8th race.
Local Ownership and a Vision for Growth
Josh Furlow, formerly CEO of Competitor Group (which operated the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series) and now Founder and CEO of The Trust Group, is partnering with the city and San Antonio Sports to bring the San Antonio Marathon to life. Furlow, who has a history with running events in San Antonio dating back to 2010, highlighted the impetus behind this change. The decision to create a city-owned marathon stemmed from a desire to enhance the event’s local impact. Conversations revolved around making the race better, engaging local neighborhoods, restaurants, and bars, and ensuring that the economic benefits remained within San Antonio.
“It’s just time for the city to take the pride, take the ownership, and really control the ownership of what they want this event to turn into,” Furlow explained. The focus is now firmly on local control and reinvestment within the San Antonio community.
A Marathon Course Designed by an Olympian
The San Antonio Marathon is not just about local ownership; it’s also about delivering a top-tier running experience. To ensure a challenging and appealing course, organizers have enlisted the expertise of U.S. Olympian Meb Keflezighi. Keflezighi is tasked with designing a Boston Marathon-qualifying course, signaling the ambition to attract serious runners.
“Running is difficult,” Keflezighi acknowledged at the Civic Park announcement. “But you’re all here to do one thing: To be the best version of yourself. And I’m glad to help bring the San Antonio Marathon to downtown, where so many people can cheer you on.” The course will feature themed miles, including The Yanaguana Mile, the Fiesta Mile, the Military Mile, the Rodeo Mile, and the Culinary Mile, promising a diverse and engaging experience for runners.
Registration and Event Details
Online registration for the San Antonio Marathon is currently open with special introductory rates: $39 for the 5K, $79 for the half-marathon, and $89 for the full marathon. The event is scheduled for December 7, 2025, with related activities and The Running Event convention occurring in the days prior.
Despite ongoing construction in the downtown area, CEO Jenny Carnes expressed confidence that San Antonio will be ready to host the marathon. The city is already preparing for the NCAA Final Four event, indicating its capability to manage large-scale events.
The San Antonio Marathon represents an exciting new chapter for running in the city, building upon the legacy of events like the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio while forging its own unique path. With a focus on local ownership, community engagement, and a commitment to a high-quality race experience, the San Antonio Marathon is set to become a must-run event for years to come.
