Description

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 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

Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Columbus Marriott 800 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 3901 

Noon to 1:30 pm, Then again at 4:30-6:30 pm Packet Pickup, Registration 

Saturday, March 21, 2026 at the Columbus Marriott

6:00 am to 7:45 am - Packet Pickup, Registration 

8:00 am - Start of Marathon & Half Marathon

8:10 am - Start of 5k

12:00 pm - Close of Half Marathon

3:00 pm - Close of Marathon

EVENT DETAILS:

MARATHON
 
The Heroes of America Marathon course is a 26.2 mile course that 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 utilizing some streets including the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge onto the beautiful Riverwalk going down and looping inside Fort Benning. The course then exits Fort Benning at mile 17 and returns to W 1oth and Bay Ave in front of Woodruff Park
 
Minimum Age Restriction for Marathon
 
The minimum age to register for the Heroes of America Marathon is 16 years old.  Most experts believe that training for and running a 26.2 mile race is best done after a runner has matured both physically and mentally.  Age 16 is the minimum age our race committee has decided for the 26.2 mile marathon
 
Start Time: 8:00am EST
End Time: 3:00pm EST
 
HALF MARATHON
 
The Heroes of America Half Marathon course is a 13.1 mile course that 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. . 
 
Minimum Age Restriction for Half Marathon
 
The minimum age to register for the Heroes of America Half Marathon is 10 years old.  Most experts believe that training for and running a 13.1 mile race is best done after a runner has reached at least the age of 10.  Age 10 is the minimum age our race committee has decided for the 13.1 mile Heroes of America Half Marathon.
 
Start Time: 8:00am EST
End Time: 12:00pm EST
 
RANGER CHALLENGE RELAY MARATHON
 
Each team will consist of no more than 2 runners. The relay teams start at the same start line as the other runners. There is one exchange point on the course at 13.1 The lead runner on the Relay Team will get the chip start time. The last runner receives the overall finishing time. The relay exchange point is inside Ft Benning and accessible by car with military clearance. Make sure to get your badge on site no later that the day before the race or online (online with take about 72 hours to issue)  Transportation to the exchange point is NOT provided by the Heroes of America event team.   

 
5K
 
The 5K race starts right after the start of the marathon and half marathon races. Runners for the 5K race will queue up behind the marathon and half marathon runners. After the start of the marathon and half marathon race, the 5K runners will move up to the same start line to begin the 5K race.
 
The Heroes of America 5K course is a 3.1 mile course that starts and finishes at the same start and finish line for the marathon and half marathon at the intersection of West 10th St and Bay Ave in front of Woodruff Park, Columbus, Ga two blocks north of the Columbus Marriott.  
 
Minimum Age for 5K
 
The minimum age to register for the Heroes of America 5k Race is 6 years old.
 
Start Time: 8:10am EST
End Time: 9:30am EST

Host Hotel will be provided at a later date.

CERTIFICATION:
 
Marathon course is certified as a Boston Marathon qualifier. The USATF Certification Number is USATF GA17085WC.
 
AWARDS:
 
Race finishers will receive a race t-shirt and a finisher’s medal.

Overall Winners and Overall Masters:  Male and Female. 

5K & Half Age Group Awards: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 up.

Marathon Age Group Awards: 19 and under 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 up.
 
Each member of the relay team will receive a finisher’s t-shirt and a finisher’s medal.
 
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).