Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon 2026
- Date
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (Indiana)
- Location
- Columbia City, Indiana
- Entry fee
- From $75 · goes up to $90 on Oct 1, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a hoodie or sweatshirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Nov 14, 20268:00 AM | $75$90 after Oct 1, 2026 | – |
| Veterans Marathon | Marathon | Nov 14, 20268:00 AM | $90$110 after Oct 1, 2026 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The Half Marathon fee goes up to $90 on Oct 1, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Veterans Half Marathon: $75 until Sep 30, then $90 until Nov 12.
- Veterans Marathon: $90 until Sep 30, then $110 until Nov 12.
Online registration closes Nov 12, 2026, unless the race fills first.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a marathon in Indiana runs 3:59:12, about 9:07 a mile, based on 5 races with published results. Women typically finish in 4:07:58 and men in 3:56:42.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:27 AM, and the Veterans Half Marathon starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 870 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
108 South Chauncey St, Columbia City, IN 46725
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2025 results
All results (5 years)Heroes 5K
Veterans 1/2 Marathon
Veterans Marathon
Aggregated from official results (eRunner Timing and Results) for Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon?
At the 2025 Heroes 5K, the fastest tenth finished in 24:51 or better, the top quarter in 29:04, and half the field in 36:17; the last tenth came in after 56:35.
At the 2025 Veterans 1/2 Marathon, the fastest tenth finished in 1:30:39 or better, the top quarter in 1:47:45, and half the field in 2:10:09; the last tenth came in after 2:57:41.
At the 2025 Veterans Marathon, the fastest tenth finished in 3:18:26 or better, the top quarter in 3:45:08, and half the field in 4:17:07; the last tenth came in after 5:18:33.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 24:55 | 22:38 |
| 20-29 | 29:06 | 23:47 |
| 30-39 | 27:33 | 22:05 |
| 40-49 | 32:04 | 25:18 |
| 50-59 | 32:54 | 26:24 |
| 60-69 | 40:04 | 37:06 |
| 70+ | 46:07 | n/a |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
About the same size since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon 5K year by year
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 205 to 228 finishers, and the median time rose from 32:20 to 36:17.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 228 (+61%) | 36:17 | under 24:51 | 17:23 |
| 2024 | 142 (-22%) | 35:43 | under 23:42 | 17:16 |
| 2023 | 183 (+34%) | 34:58 | under 22:17 | 15:57 |
| 2022 | 137 (-33%) | 31:34 | under 21:37 | 14:28 |
| 2021 | 205 | 32:20 | under 21:22 | 16:17 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
About average for Indiana 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 29:04, against 28:30 in a typical Indiana 5K, so times here are about average.
- Half Marathon: Faster than most Indiana half marathons. The fastest quarter of the 2025 half marathon field finished under 1:47:45, against 1:53:02 in a typical Indiana half marathon, so times here run 5 percent faster.
- Marathon: Faster than most US marathons. The fastest quarter of the 2025 marathon field finished under 3:45:08, against 3:52:43 in a typical US marathon, so times here run 3 percent faster.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around November 14 the day usually runs from 36°F at dawn to 51°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 25% of days. Cold snaps dip to 27°F and hot years reach 63°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- 108 South Chauncey St, Columbia City, IN 46725Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 870 feet
- Included with entry
- Unisex 1/4 Zip Performance Pull Over; Unisex Jacket
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- Half Marathon, Marathon
- Editions
- 2026 (Nov 14, 2026), 2025 (Nov 8, 2025), 2024 (Nov 2, 2024), 2023 (Nov 11, 2023), 2022 (Nov 12, 2022), 2021 (Nov 13, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon?
- Saturday, November 14, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $75 before processing fees, and rises to $90 on Oct 1, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Nov 12, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a hoodie or sweatshirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- Half Marathon, Marathon.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 228 runners finished the Heroes 5K; the median finish was 36:17 and the winner ran 17:23.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 29:04, against 28:30 in a typical Indiana 5K, so times here are about average.
- Where does it start?
- 108 South Chauncey St, Columbia City, IN 46725.
From the organizers
Race Beyond Limits is honored to continue the tradition of the Bird family and serve as the new hosts of the 18th 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.