Heroes of America Marathon/Half & 5k

The Heroes of America Marathon and Half Marathon Saturday, March 22, 2025 race starts and finishes at the intersection of West 10th St and Bay Ave. in front of Woodruff Park. 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 the start/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 22, 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

Saturday, March 23, 2024 - 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 2:30 pm - Close of Marathon

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. Start Time: 8:00am EST End Time: 2:30pm 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. Start Time: 8:00am EST End Time: 12:00pm EST

RELAY MARATHON

Each team will consist of no less than 2 runners and no more than 4 runners. The relay teams start at the same start line as the other runners. There are three exchange points on the course: mile 8, mile 13.1 and mile 20.5. The first leg of the relay is the longest at 8 miles long while the second and fourth legs of the relay are shorter at a little over 6 miles long (basically a 10k). The lead runner on the Relay Team will get the chip start time. At each exchange point The last runner receives the chip finishing time. Each runner wears a Race Bib The relay exchange points are accessible by car. 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 security clearance to access. Make sure you have 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 21, 2025 from Noon to 1:30 then again 4:30 p.m to 6 PM and Saturday, March 23, 2024 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). Additional Free Parking across Front Ave from the start line in Columbus parking garage.