Inaugural Muddy River Marathon held in Cape

Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian

Saturday, May 1, 2021

The first Muddy River Marathon race was held Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Cape Girardeau. Races included a full marathon, half marathon, competitive team and half marathon relay. The course highlighted many landmarks in Cape Girardeau, including the Bill Emerson Bridge, Common Pleas Courthouse, Dalhousie Golf Course, Old St. Vincent’s Church, and more, as well as finishing along the Missouri Wall of Fame Mural. Some of the proceeds from the race went to the Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri. The mission of the Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri is to maximize resources to develop and deliver a wide range of services that improve the lives of individuals, children and families, and to build strong neighborhoods and communities.

A runner in the Muddy River Marathon checks her watch and cheers upon completing the course in downtown Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 1, 2021. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
A volunteer hangs a commemorative finishers medal over a runner's neck after crossing the finish line of the Muddy River Marathon course in downtown Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 1, 2021. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
A participant in the marathon is seen during the 'home stretch' of the Muddy River Marathon course as he runs down Independence Street in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The finish line of the Muddy River Marathon was located in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
A runner in the Muddy River Marathon smiles while holding her commemorative finishers medal and attempts to catch her breath upon completing the course in downtown Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 1, 2021. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)

A group of runners approach the finish line of the Muddy River Marathon on Saturday, May 1, 2021, in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
Participants in the Muddy River Marathon embrace each other in a hug upon completing the marathon course in downtown Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 1, 2021. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
A runner in the Muddy River Marathon throws her hand up and cheers as she approaches the finish line of the course in downtown Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 1, 2021. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
Community members gathered by the finish line of the Muddy River Marathon course in downtown Cape Girardeau to support friends and family participating in the race on Saturday, May 1, 2021. A spectator is seen ringing a cowbell as runners passed by, and waving a handwritten sign that read, 'You run this town, literally.' (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
A participant in the marathon is seen during the 'home stretch' of the Muddy River Marathon course as he runs down Independence Street in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The finish line of the Muddy River Marathon was located in downtown Cape. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)

Volunteers gave massages to runners upon completing the Muddy River Marathon course in downtown Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 1, 2021. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
A group of runners poses for a photo after completing the Muddy River Marathon on Saturday, May 1, 2021, in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
Runners in the marathon are seen coming down Independence Street as they near the 'home stretch' of the Muddy River Marathon course on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The finish line of the Muddy River Marathon was located in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)
Participants in the Muddy River Marathon congratulate each other upon crossing the finish line of the course in downtown Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 1, 2021. (Brooke Holford ~ Southeast Missourian)