Heroes of America Marathon

Description

The Heroes of America Marathon and Half Marathon Saturday, March 21, 2026 race starts and finishes on Broadway behind the Columbus Marriott. The marathon, Half and 5k runs south of the Columbus Marriott ( utilizing some streets including Broadway, W 9th street and 1st Ave onto the beautiful Columbus River Walk. The Marathon going all the way inside Fort Benning and looping from 8.25 mile to 17.75 miles. The course will then exit Fort Benning at mile 17.75 and return back to the Marriott start/finish line. The course is reasonably flat with some smaller inclines.  The Heroes of America 5k also starts on Broadway 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 starts behind the Columbus Marriott on Broadway.  The marathon runs south utilizing some streets including 9th onto 1st Ave to the beautiful Riverwalk going down and looping inside Fort Benning. The course then exits Fort Benning at mile 17.75 and returns to Broadway and the Columbus Marroitt

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 on Broadway behind 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

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. 

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

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).