Heroes of America Marathon
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Event overview
The Heroes of America event takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Columbus, GA. Races start and finish at the intersection of West 10th Street and Bay Avenue in front of Woodruff Park, two blocks north of the Columbus Marriott. Distances offered include:
- 26.2 miles (Marathon)
- 13.1 miles (Half Marathon)
- 3.1 miles (5K)
- Relay (Ranger Challenge, two-runner teams)
Minimum age requirements are specified: 16 for the marathon, 10 for the half marathon, and 6 for the 5K. The marathon course is USATF certified as a Boston Marathon qualifier (USATF GA17085WC). Finishers receive a race t-shirt and a finisher’s medal. Overall and masters awards are given for male and female winners; age-group awards are defined for the 5K, half, and marathon.
Course and logistics
The marathon and half marathon use streets near Woodruff Park and include the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge onto the Riverwalk, a loop inside Fort Benning, an exit near mile 17, a passage by the Iron Works Convention Center, and a return under a train trestle to the start/finish. The course is described as reasonably flat with some smaller inclines. The Riverwalk width means hand-crank participants are not allowed on the marathon course.
Packet pickup is at the Columbus Marriott (800 Front Avenue) on the day before and the morning of the event. Relay teams have a single exchange point at mile 13.1 inside Fort Benning; vehicle access to that exchange requires military clearance and the event does not provide transportation to the exchange. Parking locations near the start are listed at 801 Front Avenue deck and lots at 901 Bay Avenue. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.