The SATX 5K kicks off the San Antonio Marathon weekend on Friday evening, December 4, 2026, starting and finishing at Hemisfair park in the shadow of the iconic Tower of the Americas. The 5K course loops through the heart of downtown San Antonio’s historic core, illuminated by city lights, passing close to the River Walk and the city’s most celebrated landmarks. With a 1-hour course time limit and a festive evening start at 8:00 PM, this is San Antonio running at its most atmospheric and enjoyable.<\/p>\n
The SATX 5K starts Friday, December 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM with start and finish at Hemisfair. The 1-hour course limit makes it accessible to walkers and all fitness levels. Registration is available through the San Antonio Marathon registration portal. Participants receive full race-weekend timing and bibs, and finishing the SATX 5K is a great way to shake out the legs before cheering for or pacing marathon runners on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
Hemisfair is one of San Antonio’s most beloved public spaces \u2014 a park created for the 1968 World’s Fair and now transformed into a vibrant urban gathering place at the city’s core. The Tower of the Americas, a 750-foot observation tower that dominates the skyline, serves as the landmark backdrop for the start and finish line. Running toward and past this iconic structure in the evening light creates a finish line photograph that every participant treasures.<\/p>\n
The SATX 5K is the ideal race for participants who are supporting marathon runners on Sunday and want their own race-weekend experience, for families where some members are racing and others want to participate, and for visitors to San Antonio who want to experience the city’s downtown on foot with a race-day energy. The December date, the night start, and the Hemisfair setting combine to make this one of the most pleasurable and photogenic 5Ks in Texas.<\/p>\n