Veterans Marathon and Heroes 5K

Race Info

The Bird Family is proud to continue the tradition of the 17th Annual Veterans Marathon, a superb event honoring our nation’s Veterans. Located in the heart of northeast Indiana, Columbia City is a small-town community with true Hoosier values. It’s a community rooted in its agricultural heritage, strengthened by its commercial and residential development, and proud of its hometown heroes. In honor of those servicemen and servicewomen throughout nation, We present the 17th Annual Veterans Marathon, Half-Marathon and Heroes 5K on November 8th, 2025. Located in Northeast Indiana. We can promise that flags will be waving at the start, a gently rolling countryside course, and a race experience you will always remember.

The Veterans Marathon will be honoring the Space Force for its 17th running of the race, the Heroes 5k will be honoring the Columbia City Fire Department for 2025. The AMVETS post 2919 out of South Whitley, Indiana will be the recipient of 50% of the Veterans Marathon profits, 25% will be donated to the Columbia City Fire Department.

Packet pickup will be held on Friday Night at Running Around Screen Printing from 3pm till 8pm and as well as Saturday race morning from 6:30am till 7:50am near the start/finish line area. More information will be posted as we get closer to race day.

Events

• Veterans Marathon: Price: $90, Time: 8:00AM EST - 2:00PM EST. Open to ages 13 - 85.
• Veterans 1/2 Marathon: Price: $75, Time: 8:00AM EST - 2:00PM EST. Open to ages 8 - 85.
• Heroes 5K: Price: $25, Time: 8:15AM EST - 10:00AM EST. Open to ages 3 - 85.

Course Details

Place: Starting at the intersection of West Van Buren St and North Chauncey St in downtown Columbia City, Indiana

Start time: 8:00 am Eastern Standard Time for the Marathon, 8:00 am Eastern Standard Time for the Half-Marathon, 8:15 am Eastern Standard Time for the Heroes 5k

End time: The half-marathon course closes at 2:00 pm, the full marathon course closes at 2:00 pm. Heroes 5k course will close by 10:00 am.

Marathon (2 Loops) USATF Certification #:IN17015TDK.

Half Marathon USATF Certification #:IN17014TDK.

The Heroes 5k has a 3 person team challenge where the total time of a team is added together to compete with other teams for a unique "Hero-based" award.

Post-Race

All post race festivities will take place in the Clugston at the Finish line, this is directly across from the courthouse and the finish line on Chauncey Street. Hot Soup donated by local restaurants and chefs will be available to all participants free of charge post race as well as other refreshments.

Unique Awards that are made right here in Indiana using limestone mined from Bloomington, Indiana will be up for grabs to the Top 2 in each division. Awards will be available for pick up at their respective times post race at the awards table in the Clugston.