Air Race Classic coming to St. Louis Regional Airport this month
St. Louis Regional Airport is hosting the 49th Annual Air Race Classic Start, bringing one of the nation’s premier all-female aviation competitions to the region.
The Air Race Classic is an all-female-piloted aviation race which provides approximately 60 teams from around the country the opportunity to fly a pre-determined cross-country route over a four-day period. Competitors are judged on their cross-country flying skills as they visit eleven different airports en route to the terminus.
This year’s race includes 106 participants from 28 states. Teams of two to three pilots will compete in single-engine aircraft.
Operated entirely by volunteers, the Air Race Classic Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to: Encouraging and educating current and future women pilots; increasing public awareness of general aviation; demonstrating women’s roles in aviation; and preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation.
As Start Airport for the event, race officials and participants will descend upon St. Louis Regional Airport for several days of pre-race preparations which include detailed event briefings, aircraft safety inspections, and celebratory gatherings all leading to the take-off event on the morning of Tuesday, June 23, 2026, where spectators can expect to see dozens of aircraft take off in rapid succession as the race begins.
The community is invited to attend these free, family-friendly events, including:
- 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, June 20 – Pancake Breakfast hosted by EAA Chapter 864. Enjoy all you can eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and juice for just $10 per plate.
- 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, June 20 – Meet the Racers event. Meet the 106 participants that make up the field of the 49th Annual Air Race Classic.
- 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20 – Youth Event – Youth ages 8 to 17 can experience aviation-related topics that the racers must know and consider as part of their race. Hands-on activities in conjunction with EAA Chapter 864. Currently this event is sold out.
- 7:30 to 9 a.m., Tuesday, June 23 – Celebratory Takeoff event. Visit the airport to watch the 106 racers and 46 aircraft depart within an hour as they begin their 4-day race journey. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with the first departure planned for 8 a.m. Free admission; bring your own chair.
All public events are hosted at St. Louis Regional Airport, located at 8 Terminal Drive, East Alton, IL 62024.
For more information about Air Race Classic Inc. or the Air Race Classic event, visit www.airraceclassic.org
Images provided by St. Louis Regional Airport.
About St. Louis Regional Airport
The St. Louis Regional Airport (ALN), classified as an FAA Reliever Airport, provides more than 1,500 jobs with an annual economic impact of $480 million. With two runways capable of handling a variety of aircraft, the Airport serves a diverse clientele from private aviators to Fortune 500 companies, and regional aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul customers. It is located at 8 Terminal Drive, East Alton, IL 62024. For more information, visit www.stlouisregional.com and follow on Facebook.
