Heart of America Marathon & Relay

Columbia Track Club Presents

The 67th Heart of America Marathon & the 7th annual relay

The 2nd oldest continuously running marathon in the US!

Why Run the Heart of America Marathon?

• Historical Significance: Continuously running since 1960 — be part of history
• Unique Challenge: Home of the world-famous Easley Hill
• Authentic Experience: Run the race with HEART — heat, hills, and humidity included at no extra charge
• Community Feel: Low-frill, hometown feel with deep community roots

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

⚠ Please Note:

• Time Limit: Six-hour time limit (strictly enforced)
• Finish Closure: Finish area closes at 12:00 p.m.
• Cutoff Extensions: Please do not ask for cutoff extensions

Marathon Registration Pricing

February 14 – May 25 - $82.50 or less ($75 + $7.50 or less processing)
May 26 – July 4 - $93.10 or less ($85.00 + $8.10 or less processing)
July 5 – August 30 - $103.70 or less ($95 + $8.70 or less processing)
August 31 - September 5 (noon) - $114.30 or less ($105 + $9.30 or less processing)

• Shirt Size: Shirt size not guaranteed for registrations after August 24
• Final Pricing: Final pricing depends on number of registrants per transaction
• Register Early: 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 – $55.00 or less ($50 + $5.00 or less processing fee)
May 26 – July 4 – $71.90 or less ($65 + $6.90 or less processing fee)
July 5 – Aug 30 – $87.80 or less ($80 + $7.80 or less processing fee)

Important Relay Notes:

• Registration Deadline: No relay registrations after August 30
• Team Changes: Team changes must be submitted by September 4
• Team Password: Team captains are encouraged to create a team password
• Transportation: Relay teams are responsible for arranging their own transportation. Shuttle service will not be provided.

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:

• Leg 1: 3.8 miles (Start Line to Veterans United (VU), southern entrance from Providence)
• Leg 2: 7.7 miles (VU to Cooper’s Landing)
• Leg 3: 6.9 miles (Cooper’s Landing to Pierpont General Store)
• Leg 4: 7.8 miles (Pierpont General Store to Finish)

Registration Policies

• No Race-Day Registration: No race-day registration
• No Refunds: No refunds
• Optional Insurance: Optional race insurance available at checkout
• Transfers: Transfers to another runner (same event) allowed until September 5 at noon. Please process through your RunSignUp account. See here

Course Overview

• Distance: 26.2 miles starting and finishing at Nifong Park
• Terrain: Includes approximately 5 miles of well-maintained gravel roads/trails
• Sights: Katy Trail, Missouri River views, Cooper’s Landing, Pierpont General Store
• Growth Challenge: Features the legendary Easley Hill

USATF Certification: #MO21024MU

Course Description

26.2 miles starting at the Boone County History and Culture Center at Nifong Park, running 11.5 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 3.2 miles of the course is on well-maintained gravel roads/trail to include, the Katy Trail (1 mi), East Bonne Femme Church Rd and South Gans Creek Rd (2.2 mi). This is an open course. Runners must run single file on trafficked roads.

Aid Stations (13 Total)

Water and ice at all stations: sports drink starting at Cooper’s Landing

Stations at miles:

• 3.8, 7, 9.7, 11.5, 12.5, 15, 16.5, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24.5, 25

⚠ No nutrition provided — plan accordingly.

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.

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