Heart of America Marathon
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Heart of America Marathon & Relay
The Heart of America Marathon & Relay is hosted by the Columbia Track Club in Columbia, Missouri, with the Boone County History and Culture Center at Nifong Park as the start and finish venue. The event includes a full marathon and a team relay option. The marathon is a 26.2 mile point to point course that returns to the park and includes roughly 5.5 miles on well maintained gravel roads and trails.
The route follows the Katy Trail for part of the course and offers Missouri River views, passes Cooper’s Landing, the historic community of Easley and the Pierpont General Store, and skirts Rock Bridge State Park and Philips Lake. The course features the locally known Easley Hill and several narrow, winding roads where runners must run single file. The race uses an open course with some traffic on certain roads. USATF certification is listed for the course and will be updated for 2026.
There are 13 aid stations providing water and ice; sports drink is available starting at Cooper’s Landing. No nutrition is provided at aid stations so runners must plan their own fuel. The event enforces a six hour time limit and provides medical support and a sweep vehicle. Packet pickup is available the day before and on race morning at the Boone County History and Culture Center.
Awards are given for overall and masters categories, relay overall places, and special awards for most improved, first time marathon winners, and closest to the mean finish time. The race maintains a low frill, hometown character and emphasizes community support. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
