Shrewsbury Thrifty Fifty

Shrewsbury Thrifty Fifty

Date: 2026-02-28

Location: Shrewsbury Aquatic Center, Saint Louis, MO

For more information, visit: Shrewsbury Thrifty Fifty Race Page

Event Overview

A midwinter celebration & untimed run-walk-roll.

~ 50 minutes ~ 50 kilometers ~ or ~ 50 miles ~

Events

• 50 Minutes: Group Send-Off at 10:00 a.m. Run, walk, roll, dance, or strut your way around the block. Decorations, art, crafts, music, costumes, signs, posters, musical instruments, etc. are strongly encouraged. When you reach your goal of 50 minutes of continuous movement, ring the big bell to celebrate!
• 50 Kilometers: 6:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Make your way around the loop 60 times, and you have completed a true ultramarathon distance on a challenging (but fun & supportive) course. Ring the big bell to celebrate! Check in with the organizers so we can personalize your trophy!
• 50 Miles: 6:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Make your way around the loop 100 times, and you have completed a true ultramarathon distance on a challenging (but fun & supportive) course. Ring the big bell to celebrate! Check in with the organizers so we can personalize your trophy! 50-mile participants are encouraged to begin as early as possible. It is very difficult and takes a long time. But you can do it!

Registration

Registration is encouraged (and free), but anyone can join for ANY distance, at ANY time, or just hang out. Enjoy positivity, art, music, and fellowship to cast-off those winter doldrums. We will collect 50-cent cash donations at the event. As many as you like :) ALL DONATIONS WILL GO TO THE ST. LOUIS AREA FOODBANK.

The Course

• Course Length: A .5 mile loop on asphalt road. 2 loops = 1 mile.
• Course Features: The loop includes a slight incline and decline that is usually manageable for wheelchair and stroller participants.
• Loop Direction: Loop direction will be clearly marked and will change every hour, in theory.
• Elevation Gain: Each loop includes 20 feet of elevation gain. This makes the course challenging at higher mileage.

To illustrate: The NYC marathon has a total elevation gain of 810 feet and is considered a very hilly marathon. 26 miles on the Thrifty Fifty course will get you 1,040 feet of elevation gain.

Accommodations

We will provide Gatorade, water, nutrition, a few electrical outlets, and restrooms. We will provide thumb-click lap-counters. Participants will rely on their own electronic devices for digital data. Results are "on your honor." This is analog.