3801 Ponderosa St, Columbia MO
Monday, September 7th, 2026
The Columbia Track Club Presents
The 67th running of the Heart of America Marathon
The 2nd oldest continuously running marathon in the US and the
7th annual relay
Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026 — 6:00 a.m.
Columbia, Missouri
Labor Day, since 1960 ♥
Important Links
Please refer to the links below for the most up-to-date information:
- (To be updated for 2026) 2025 Runner Instructions
- (To be updated for 2026) 2025 Heart of America Course Map
- 2025 Mile 90 Photography Photos
Why Run the Heart of America Marathon?
- Continuously running since 1960 — be part of history
- Home of the world-famous Easley Hill
- Run the race with HEART — heat, hills, and humidity included at no extra charge
- Low-frill, hometown feel with deep community roots
⚠ Please Note:
- Six-hour time limit (strictly enforced)
- Finish area closes at 12:00 p.m.
- Please do not ask for cutoff extensions
Event Details
Location:
Boone County History and Culture Center (Nifong Park)
3801 Ponderosa St, Columbia, MO 65201
Start Time:
6:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT)
First Monday in September
Marathon Registration Pricing
February 14 – May 25 - $81.00 or less ($75 + $6 or less processing)
May 26 – July 4 - $102.20 or less ($95.00 + $7.20 or less processing)
July 5 – August 30 - $134.00 or less ($125 + $9 or less processing)
May 26 – July 4 - $102.20 or less ($95.00 + $7.20 or less processing)
July 5 – August 30 - $134.00 or less ($125 + $9 or less processing)
August 31 - September 5 (noon) - $160.50 or less ($150 + $10.50 or less processing)
- Shirt size not guaranteed for registrations after August 30
- Final pricing depends on number of registrants per transaction
- Register early to ensure your preferred shirt size
Relay (50-Team Limit)
Teams of 2–4 runners
Each team member registers and pays separately
Feb 14 – May 25 – $54.50 or less ($50 + $4.50 or less processing fee)
May 26 – July 4 – $70.40 or less ($65 + $5.40 or less processing fee)
July 5 – Aug 30 – $86.30 or less ($80 + $6.30 or less processing fee)
Important Relay Notes:
- No relay registrations after August 30
- Team changes must be submitted by September 4
- Team captains are encouraged to create a team password
- Do not join a team unless invited
The relay course follows the same course as the marathon, therefore the same course information given above applies to the relay as well. Relay teams may have 2 - 4 members who work together to complete the traditional marathon course. Relay legs are 3.8 miles (Start to Veterans United (VU) - southernmost entrance from Providence), 7.7 miles (VU to Cooper’s Landing), 6.9 miles (Cooper’s Landing to Pierpont General Store), and 7.8 miles (Pierpont General Store to Finish). (THIS WILL BE UPDATED IN 2026)
Registration Policies
- No race-day registration
- No refunds
- Optional race insurance available at checkout
- Transfers to another runner (same event) allowed until September 5 at noon. Please process through your RunSignUp account. See https://help.runsignup.com/support/solutions/articles/17000062921-transfer-to-another-runner
Course Overview
- 26.2 miles starting and finishing at Nifong Park
- Includes approximately 5.5 miles of well-maintained gravel roads/trails
- Katy Trail, Missouri River views, Cooper’s Landing, Pierpont General Store
- Features the legendary Easley Hill
- Open course — runners must run single file where required
Course map 2026 (to be updated)
GPX file 2026 (to be updated)
Course Description: (to be updated)
26.2 miles starting at the Boone County History and Culture Center at Nifong Park, running 11 miles down to the Katy Trail, (formerly the MKT Trail Line, now part of the U.S Rails-to Trails system) for 1.5 miles along the scenic Missouri River, past Cooper’s Landing and the historic community of Easley, from where Easley Hill (Route N) affectionately takes its name. Picturesque rural landscape abounds along the winding uphill Route N. Passing the Pierpont General Store, a building which has stood since 1889, the course skirts Rock Bridge State Park before heading back toward Columbia, to Philips Lake, then back to the Boone County History and Culture Center. **Please note, approximately 5.5 miles of the course is on well-maintained gravel roads/trail to include Smith Hatchery Rd, the Katy Trail, East Bonne Femme Church Rd and South Gans Creek Rd. This is an open course. Runners must run single file on trafficked roads.
Aid Stations (13 Total) (to be updated for 2026)
Water and ice at all stations; sports drink starting at Cooper’s Landing
Stations at miles:
3.8, 7, 9.7, ~12, 12.5, 15, 16.5, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24.5, 25
⚠ No nutrition provided — plan accordingly
#1 - Veteran's United - southernmost entrance from Providence (Mile 3.8)
#2 - Route K/Old Plank (Mile 7)
#3 - Smith Hatchery/Dothage Rd (Mile 9.7)
#4 - Cooper's Landing (nearing mile 12)
#5 - Bottom of Easley Hill (Mile 12.5)
#6 - Nashville Church/Sapp (Mile 15)
#7 - Burton & Hutchens - 8802 S Route N (Mile 16.5)
#8 - Pierpont General Store(Mile 18)
#9 - Shooting Star Trailhead (Mile 20)
#10 - Conservation Office (Mile 22)
#11 - In and out at Philips Lake (Mile 23)
#12 - Tolton High School (Mile 24.5)
#13 - Nocona/near Aria Apartments (Mile 25)
We will have volunteers to patrol and clean up after, but the fewer stops we need to make the better. Runners are responsible for planning their own appropriate hydration and fuel. This is a tough and hot course.
Portable Toilets
Toilet facilities will be located at the Start line. Three will be located outside, and the History Center, although closed until 9 am, will open for runners to use their indoor front area restrooms at 0530. Please stay in their front area if you go in. There is also a public restroom behind the History Center. Ask a volunteer for directions.
VU (Mile 3.8)
Rt K/Old Plank turnoff (mile 7)
Cooper's Landing using their portables (nearing Mile 12)
Nashville Church/Sapp (Mile 15)
Pierpont General Store - port-a-pot (Mile 18)
Shooting Star Trailhead (Mile 20)
Philips Lake - park flush toilets (Mile 23)
Finish area (park bathrooms).
Packet Pickup
Sunday: 2:00–5:00 p.m.
Race Day: 5:00–5:30 a.m.
Location: Boone County History and Culture Center
- No shirt size changes at pickup. If we have extra sizes after the race, we might be able to swap your shirt.
- One relay member may pick up for the entire team
Awards (No Double Dipping – 24 Total)
Marathon
- Overall: 1st–3rd M/F
- Masters (40+): 1st–3rd M/F
- Super Masters (50+): 1st M/F
- Grand Masters (60+): 1st M/F
Relay
- Overall 1st, 2nd, 3rd (regardless of team size or gender)
Special Awards
- Dave Schulte Award – Most improved performance
- Joe Schroeder Award – First-time marathon winners (M/F)
- Average Joe Award – Closest to the mean finishing time
Post-Race & Amenities
- Post-race snacks and water at finish
- Finish-line celebration open to all
- Boone County History and Culture Center open 9 a.m.–12 p.m. (free admission, air-conditioned)
Additional information to be announced.
Shirts
- Unisex Bella + Canvas Short Sleeve (XS–3XL)
- Women’s Bella + Canvas Short Sleeve (S–2XL)
- Optional Long-Sleeve Lightweight Hoodie (+$15.90)
Color TBA
Lodging
TownePlace Suites by Mariott Columbia (0.8 miles from start)
Group rate: $139/night (click on link)
Booking deadline: Monday, August 10, 2026
Volunteer & Charity
- Volunteers needed. Sign here or contact comoheart1960@gmail.com
- Charity Partner: Mid-Missouri Fisher House
Chip Timing
Chip timing is by Kinetic Timing. Awards will be given based on gun times, while official results and records will be based on chip times.
Fitness for Event/Medical
No one should attempt this race without proper training and medical advice. Any runner must retire from the race at once if directed to do so by an event official or physician. A sweep vehicle will pick up runners who are not able to complete the marathon in the allotted time. THERE IS A SIX HOUR TIME LIMIT. The finish area will close at noon. Please do not ask us to extend the cutoff.
There will be medical support on the course and at the finish line.
Information Contact
"Like" Heart of America on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heartofamericamarathon for updates and to send messages, or email the race directors at comoheart1960@gmail.com
*IMPORTANT NOTICE*
Before registering for the Historic Heart of America Marathon please make note of what others have said about this race below. This marathon has the reputation of being tough.
Most loved parts:
- Easley Hill
- Running on the Katy Trail along the Missouri River
- Trail/Gravel Roads, (approximately 5.5 miles gravel roads) rural feel
- Community support
- Running past Pierpont General Store and their aid station
- Running past Cooper’s Landing and their aid station
- Historic
- Hometown feel
- Low on frill
- Challenging
- Special awards instead of age group awards
- Heat, hills and humidity
Most hated parts:
- Easley Hill
- Trail/Gravel roads, (approx.. 5.5 miles gravel roads) rural feel
- Roundabouts - 4 of ‘em, and no cutting across. You run 4 roundabouts in a clockwise fashion.
- 6 hr cut off - Firm.
- Low on frill (“What? No Gu?” – “That’s right. Plan your own nutrition”)
- The 13 Aid stations are not evenly spaced (check map and locations prior to race to plan)
- Open course, traffic on Rt. K and Rt. N
- Challenging
- Last 4 miles (often in the heat and full sun)
- No age group awards
- Heat, hills and humidity
Please Note
- 6 hour cut off – (marathon and relay)
- Approximately 5.5 miles of the course is on well-maintained gravel roads/trail
- There are roundabouts. The course goes around them in a clockwise fashion on the sidewalk.
- This is no frill. 13 Aid Stations are provided with water and/or sports drink. No nutrition is provided.
- Pacing is not allowed. No bicycles pacing runners
- Open course with some narrow, winding roads (Route N). Runners must run single file.
- Non-race sanctioned drive alongs or ride alongs (bicycles) are not allowed.
- Wheelchair users should be aware that this course contains 5.5 miles of gravel road/trail, significant inclines, and declines, begins in the dark, is not a closed course and significant parts of the course are run on roads with no shoulders.
Our Host
The Boone County History and Culture Center will open all of their curated historic homes and the museum from 9 am – 12 pm for visitors and racers and other guests to take in the history of their interiors. It is all free admission. There is also the replica Easily store in the Village near the finish line. The original Easley store was located in Easley at the foot of Easley Hill along the marathon course. Please take the time to visit inside the History Center (it’s air conditioned!) and the historic houses. It is through their strong work, support, and generosity that we have this magnificent venue for HOA.
Award Descriptions
The Dave Schulte Award for Improved Performance
Will be awarded to the runners M/F who most improves his/her time (% improvement) from a previous (any year) personal best of under 5:00. Dave Schulte was a charter member of the Columbia Track Club and its first Secretary-Treasurer. Dave died of melanoma cancer in December, 1973. He was one of those persons who never had any thought of winning any race or even any age group award. His main objective was personal improvement and he strove mightily to achieve that in many CTC races. For many years he was in charge of results for the marathon and he was the first person to get an accurate measurement of the course with a bicycle and Jones Counter.
Will be awarded to the runners M/F who most improves his/her time (% improvement) from a previous (any year) personal best of under 5:00. Dave Schulte was a charter member of the Columbia Track Club and its first Secretary-Treasurer. Dave died of melanoma cancer in December, 1973. He was one of those persons who never had any thought of winning any race or even any age group award. His main objective was personal improvement and he strove mightily to achieve that in many CTC races. For many years he was in charge of results for the marathon and he was the first person to get an accurate measurement of the course with a bicycle and Jones Counter.
The Joe Schroeder Award
(New in 2019)! Entrants who will run HOA as their first marathon will be eligible to win this award. The male and female who, from the first-timer marathoner field, crosses the finish line first will be recipients of the Schroeder Award. Joe Schroeder ran his first marathon and was the winner of the first Heart of America Marathon in 1960. Running the original course from Columbia to Fulton in his cross country shoes and putting tape over the spikes to cushion his feet against city concrete, Joe finished in an impressive 3:57. His longest run previously had been 6 miles. Joe also ran the second HOA and oversaw timers for many years. Joe was a life-long lover of athletics, and he and his wife, Darlene, were active volunteers in many aspects of the community. Joe and Darlene have four children who all continue to support the Heart of America Marathon.
The Average Joe Award
(New in 2021)! This award will be given to the M or F who comes closest to the mean (average) time, either above or below, or perhaps, having the exact time as the mean. If there is a tie, the award goes to the slowest. The Average Joe Award is given in honor of Joe Duncan – Race Director of HOA for 47 years and an average runner! Joe’s first race of any kind, at age 32 was the 1966 HOA, the 7th Annual, with some 2 and a half weeks of “training.” Joe has been in 855 races all total. Joe ran 9 HOA, and never ran faster than the mean time. He thinks the “Average Joe Award” sounds better than the “Mean Joe Award”! Joe Duncan is listed in Road Race Management’s all time longest serving race directors and as of 2020, held the position of 3rd longest in that list.
(New in 2021)! This award will be given to the M or F who comes closest to the mean (average) time, either above or below, or perhaps, having the exact time as the mean. If there is a tie, the award goes to the slowest. The Average Joe Award is given in honor of Joe Duncan – Race Director of HOA for 47 years and an average runner! Joe’s first race of any kind, at age 32 was the 1966 HOA, the 7th Annual, with some 2 and a half weeks of “training.” Joe has been in 855 races all total. Joe ran 9 HOA, and never ran faster than the mean time. He thinks the “Average Joe Award” sounds better than the “Mean Joe Award”! Joe Duncan is listed in Road Race Management’s all time longest serving race directors and as of 2020, held the position of 3rd longest in that list.
About Columbia Track Club
Founded in 1968, Columbia Track Club is a dedicated nonprofit organization and proud member of USA Track & Field, committed to promoting health, fitness, and fun through distance running and race-walking for all ages. Our mission is to foster a supportive community that encourages individual improvement, embraces competition, and provides accessible events that enhance the athletic experience for both recreational and competitive athletes. We aim to inspire a lifelong love for running while giving back to the community through youth programs and charitable initiatives.
- Summer Youth Program: This five-week program stresses personal improvement for kids ages 3 to 18. From May to June, nearly 300 youth compete in running and walking events (ranging from 50-yard dash to 1-mile run) and field events.
- CTC Colts: The Colts are a competitive running team for kids ages 6 to 14. This program, part of the Central Missouri Athletics Circuit, promotes healthy activity and opportunities through running for boys and girls. The team practices together once a week in the fall and runs cross-country.
- Community Goodwill: In 2001, CTC donated a water fountain to the MKT trailhead at Scott Boulevard. In addition, CTC has given a helping hand to several hospitals and charitable organizations over the years. Fisher House has been a Charity Partner of the Heart of America Marathon since 2020.
If you would like to learn more or join Columbia Track Club for $20, click here.
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