I was lucky enough (ha, get it?) to travel to St. Louis for work last season to run this race. It…read morehappened to be a cold day (about 32 degrees), but that didn't stop the spirit of St. Louis! It reminded me a lot of Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle, just on a bit of a smaller scale. The people were super friendly as we chatted in line. My awesome St. Louis coworker even drove me to the race and hung out to watch the runners (thanks, Todd). Overall, a great experience and I'm glad I planned the extra day to participate. I did not stay for the parade - that will have to be added to the bucket list!

This is by far my favorite run in STL. I have done this race for the past 3 years and it is a…read moreblast! There are always a lot of people at all skill levels so if you can walk 5 miles, you can participate. This race is very entertaining. There are kids, adults, people in funny costumes, people tied together with shamrock tinsel, a group pulling a keg in a wagon and drinking while running. Although I have yet to spot a leprechaun...maybe this will be my year! The best part of the race is the finish line, free beer! Whooohooo! Oh, and you can get a super green running shirt at Big River Running that says, "Kiss me, I'm a runner" to wear at the race. Check it!

The St. Louis city parks website says the park name is Jackson Place Park, but the sign at the…read moreentrance says simply Jackson Park. The website also squeezes an awful lot into the small (less than 3/4-acre) park. It says this park contains a soccer field, softball field, basketball court, playground, and pavilion. The soccer field is not full size, the softball field is pretty rough, and for basketball you have a half court. There is a modern playground but it's not fenced in this Old North St. Louis neighborhood. The small pavilion, presumably for picnicking, has no tables or seating. Restrooms are absent and parking is street only.

This will definitely be a repeat for next year. It was my first 10k, so I'm not sure what I should…read morehave expected.

THE WILD, WILD WEST!…read more Have you ever seen those cowboy showdowns which causes all the townsfolk to leave? That's what it felt like running in St. Louis; an abandoned town when a big event goes on. The folks of St. Louis knew the Rock n Roll series was coming, so they basically fled. There was no activity whatsoever especially for a downtown area, and it was a bit eerie. It's like us runners were a disease. Did St. Louis think we brought Cholera, Measles, or even Typhoid Fever? Remember the game Oregon Trail in elementary school? I guess they took the "You have died of dysentery" memo seriously. Lol In addition to the sense of loneliness, the race was quite boring after the first 3 miles. At the beginning of the race, you run alongside of the Gateway Arch and by Busche Stadium. Beyond that, you are just running down the depressing streets of St. Louis. The only thing missing along the course was tumbleweed. I did see a pizza box rolling around on the street... so close enough. Lol I wish there were more opportunities to run by the arch, and to run inside Bushe Stadium. The next day, the field at Bushe Stadium was gutted so it wouldn't have mattered if runners ran by it, or on it. At the least, the course wasn't difficult. They used to offer a marathon option, but it looks like they did away with that. I heard it was hilly, and if were a little more exciting, I wouldn't have mind. The post-race was also quite uneventful as well. It was in a small, and cramped area at one of the nearby parks. They should have allowed runners to at least celebrate inside Bushe Stadium. We are in downtown, and Bushe Stadium is just right there. Baseball season is over in October, unless you make it to playoffs. The Rock n Roll race in San Diego did that with Petco Park (home of the Padres!) and it was amazing. Plus, it was baseball season, and they had a game in the evening too... so if San Diego can do it, anyone else can do it too. For some reason, the Rock n Roll series holds this race and Denver at the same time. The Rock n Roll series is a big organization, so I don't understand why they have to host 2 races on the same day. Anyway, for 2018 I guess it won't be an issue because St. Louis has been cut. Oh well. Hopefully St. Louis will make it's way back into the Rock n Roll series again... maybe even with Will Smith, Wild-Wild-West style? lol. :) In 2016, if you ran the RnR Chicago, and this race, you were entitled to the Midwest Quest Medal. It spins, and who doesn't love a medal that spins?! :D http://www.runrocknroll.com/chicago/wp-content/sites/20/2016/01/MIDWEST-GIF.gif

Ive run this several times. It is always organized well. Im thinking about volunteering next…read moretime. Everyone involved is so motivating and positive. Get in early for cheaper registration fees or chexk for groupon deals. The information provided about packet pickup and parking is always so helpful. My group was able to us the map and find parking close that was fairly inexpensive. Keep up the good work.

Named for the Mayor of Saint Louis from 1933 to 1941, Dickman Park backs up to the train tracks and…read morethe 5 acre park doesn't have much for services. What it does have is a nice looped walking trail that was in use by a few folks today with their dogs. The grass is green and there are a few shade trees. It was a nice break and opportunity to get back to nature. There is street parking along Baden Avenue. [Review 17216 overall - 127 in Missouri - 733 of 2022.]

At Faust Park, there's a ton of historically preserved buildings. They haven't been ripped down and…read morethey look pretty cool. Makes for a fun stroll around the park.

This is a nature area with a 1-2 mile natural hiking trail in northwest St. Louis County…read more It's a bit hidden and some online info is confusing. The city website, for example, misplaces the park by putting it on the southeast corner of Bellefontaine and Chambers roads. It's on the southwest corner. And, though the park's formal address is on Bellefontaine, the entrance is on Chambers. The park sign is nearly overgrown and the lot is just a wide gravel drive. Other than a picnic table there are no amenities such as restrooms at Wilderness Park.

Beautiful, clean, loved the turf grass as it was cool even in 90 degree heat. Great playground…read moredesigned for ages 2-5, although I have an adventurous 3yo and would've liked more features geared up to 8yo (swinging bars, higher climbing features), but if you have multiples under 5 this would be a great place to come. Nice shaded Pavillion, water fountain not working and no bathrooms though.