Get ready to hit the open road as Route 66 turns 100 in 2026! Missouri is gearing up for a year-long celebration of the Mother Road, filled with special events, classic road trip adventures, and a glimpse into the future of this legendary highway. From vintage diners to breathtaking landscapes, you’ll experience the nostalgia and magic that have made Route 66 a true American icon.
To kick things up a notch, we’re adding a Route 66 5K race to the festivities—bringing energy, fun, and community spirit to the celebration. Lace up your shoes, mark your calendars, and join us as we celebrate a century of memories while paving the way for the next hundred years.
The Bunion Derby was the informal name given to the C.C. Pyle's International Transcontinental Footrace, a grueling, multi-stage footrace organized in 1928 that covered more than 3,400 miles from Los Angeles to New York City, largely along the newly established Route 66. Conceived by promoter Charles C. Pyle to publicize the highway, the event famously featured 199 runners, known as "bunioneers," who faced harsh conditions while Pyle organized a traveling roadshow to finance the race. The race was won by Andy Payne, who received a $25,000 prize, though the event itself was not a financial success for Pyle.
