St. Louis Trials
St. Louis Secures 2028 US Olympic Marathon Trials, Kicking Off LA28 Selection
St. Louis will host the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials on March 25, 2028, making it the first selection event for the Los Angeles Summer Games. ABC10 reported that three men and three women will earn spots on Team USA that day, with the finish line set at Energizer Park. St. Louis beat out Phoenix, Arizona for the right to host the race.
USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland called it the start of something big. "This race will determine the initial members of Team USA for the Olympic Games returning to home soil after more than 30 years," she said. The Los Angeles Olympics open roughly 18 weeks after the Trials, on July 29, 2028.
St. Louis Beats Phoenix in Heated Bidding Race
Phoenix submitted its bid in January 2026, pitching itself as a "heat rehearsal" for Los Angeles. The argument was simple: train in the heat, perform better in the heat. But USATF and the USOPC went a different direction. They chose St. Louis, where late-March temperatures typically run between 48°F and 62°F — far cooler than what athletes will face in LA.
Analysts noted that the 2024 Trials in Orlando drew criticism for dangerous heat and athlete safety concerns. The St. Louis course is described as "hilly and technical," which may favor endurance runners over pure speedsters — a style that matches the demanding LA Olympic course.
America's First Olympic City Gets Another Chapter
St. Louis has deep Olympic roots. It hosted the very first Olympic marathon on U.S. soil in 1904 — a famously chaotic race run in 90-degree heat on dusty roads. The city also hosted the U.S. Olympic Women's Marathon Trials in 2004. Marc Schreiber, President of the St. Louis Sports Commission, said the city is "ecstatic to add another exciting chapter to our rich Olympic history."
Olympic legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a six-time Olympic medalist, is co-chairing the local organizing committee. She said the event will "make a lasting impact on the lives of young people throughout the region." USATF CEO Max Siegel added that St. Louis showed "professionalism, vision, and passion" throughout the bidding process.
$13.5 Million Economic Boost Expected for St. Louis
The event is projected to generate $13.5 million in direct economic impact for the region. Organizers expect more than 100,000 spectators on-site and a live NBC broadcast audience of 1.6 million. The city paid a $150,000 rights fee to USATF. In return, USATF estimates the event's media coverage is worth roughly $27 million in national exposure.
The race finish at Energizer Park ties into St. Louis's broader push to brand itself as a sports destination. The city has leaned into sports tourism since launching St. Louis CITY SC and renovating key venues downtown. The qualifying window for athletes opened September 1, 2025, and runs through January 25, 2028. Men must run a 2:16:00 or faster; women need a 2:37:00 or better.
Course Route Still Being Debated Ahead of 2028
USATF prefers a looped course with loops of at least four miles. That format helps spectators and makes for better TV. But local organizers want a route that passes landmarks like the Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium. That tension could shape the final course design. Organizers are targeting a field of about 400 elite athletes and 400 local volunteers.
The event is projected to reach 21.3 million people through social media. The broadcast airs live on NBC at 11:00 AM local time on March 25, 2028. With the Olympic marathon set for July 29–30 in Los Angeles, qualifiers will have an 18-week window to recover and prepare for the heat they did not face in St. Louis.
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