Heroes of America Marathon/Half Marathon/5K

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

The Heroes of America Marathon and Half Marathon Saturday, March 21, 2026 race starts and finishes at the intersection of West 10th St and Bay Ave in front of Woodruff Park, Columbus, Ga two blocks north of the Columbus Marriott. The full marathon runs both north and south of Woodruff Park (1000 Bay Ave) utilizing some streets including the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge onto the beautiful Riverwalk, going down and looping inside Fort Moore (AKA Benning). The course will then exit Fort Moore (AKA Benning) at mile 17 and returns passing the Iron Works Convention Center exiting to Bay Ave to W. 9th under the train trestle and back to the start/finish line. The course is reasonably flat with some smaller inclines. The Heroes of America 5K also starts at W 10th and Bay Ave immediately after the Half Marathon start. Because of the width of the Riverwalk the Heroes of America Marathon does not allow participants who use hand-cranks.

🗓️ Event Details and Schedule

• Date: March 20, 2026
• Location: Columbus Marriott, 800 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA
• Packet Pickup: Noon to 1:30 pm and 4:30 to 6:30 pm
• Race Day Registration: Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 6:00 am to 7:45 am

⏱️ Race Start Times

• Marathon & Half Marathon: 8:00 am
• 5K: 8:10 am
• Half Marathon Close: 12:00 pm
• Marathon Close: 3:00 pm

🏅 Marathon Details

• Course Length: 26.2 miles
• Minimum Age: 16 years old
• Start Time: 8:00 am EST
• End Time: 3:00 pm EST

🏃‍♀️ Half Marathon Details

• Course Length: 13.1 miles
• Minimum Age: 10 years old
• Start Time: 8:00 am EST
• End Time: 12:00 pm EST

🤝 Ranger Challenge Relay Marathon

• Team Composition: No more than 2 runners
• Exchange Point: 13.1 miles within Fort Benning
• Transportation: Not provided by event team
• Registration: Badge required for access

🏃‍♂️ 5K Details

• Course Length: 3.1 miles
• Minimum Age: 6 years old
• Start Time: 8:10 am EST
• End Time: 9:30 am EST

🏨 Accommodation

Host Hotel will be provided at a later date.

🏆 Certification and Awards

• Certification: Marathon course is certified as a Boston Marathon qualifier (USATF GA17085WC)
• Finisher Perks: Race t-shirt and finisher’s medal
• Categories: Overall Winners and Overall Masters for Male and Female
• Age Group Awards: Various categories for 5K, Half, and Marathon

🎟️ Packet Pickup

Packet pickup will be at the Columbus Marriott, 800 Front Avenue, Columbus GA 31901, on Friday, March 20, 2026 Noon-1:30 and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. A team representative may pick up the registration packet with a bib for each member of the relay team.

🚗 Parking

Parking is available at 801 Front Avenue deck garage across from W. 8th street or the lots at Bay Avenue and Dillingham Street at 901 Bay Avenue, Columbus, GA (this lot will fill up quickly).

🔗 More Information

For more details, visit the official race page at Heroes of America Marathon/Half Marathon/5K.