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 (1000 Bay Ave.). The full marathon runs both north and south of Woodruff Park utilizing some streets including the 14th street pedestrian bridge onto the beautiful Riverwalk. The course then loops inside Fort Benning then existing Fort Benning at mile 17 and returning past Iron Works to Bay Street to W 9th under the train Trestle and back to thr startt/ finish in front of Woodruff park. The course is reasonably flat with a few short inclines. The Heroes of America 5k also starts at West 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, 2025 at the Columbus Marriott, 800 Front Ave, Columbus GA 31901:
Noon to 1:30 pm - Then again at 4:30-6:30 pm Packet Pickup, Registration and Expo
Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 6:00 am to 7:45 am - Packet Pickup, Registration and Expo
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 and schedule
EVENT DETAILS:
MARATHON
The Heroes of America Marathon course is a 26.2 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 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
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 mile 13.1. The lead runner on the Relay Team will gert the chip start time. The last runner receives the chip finishing time. The relay exchange points are accessible by car with Military clearance Transportation for relay team members will not be provided by the Heroes of America Marathon. Keep in mind the 13.1 exchange is inside Ft Moore and will require securty clearance to access. Make sure you a badge the evening before the race at one of the gate security points. The entrance at the Ft Benning drive is the closest to the exchange point.
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
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 age-group winners will also receive awards for each event.
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 from Noon to 1:30 and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m, 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:
You can park at the 801 Front Avenue deck garage across from W. 8th Street or the lots on Bay Avenue and Dillingham Street at 901 Bay Avenue (this lot will fill quickly).
