SOLDIER MARATHON
Planned by runners for runners
Soldier Marathon and Soldier Half MarathonThe Soldier Marathon and
Half Marathon are long distance endurance races that will be held November 10, 2012 in Columbus, Georgia. Both races are planned by runners for runners. The marathon distance is 26.2 miles and half marathon distance is 13.1 miles. The courses are certified for accurate distances. The mission of the races is to salute the United States soldier, to showcase our community, and to give runners a great experience. The inaugural Soldier Marathon and Half Marathon were held in 2010. In 2011 the Soldier Marathon and Half Marathon attracted over 1,300 runners from 38 States and 4 international runners.
Kids Soldier Marathon and Half MarathonAlso included is the
Kids Soldier Marathon in which kids ages 6 to 12 run a total of 26.2 miles by accumulating 25.2 miles prior to November 9th, 2012, and then run a one mile fun run at the National Infantry Museum the Friday evening of November 9th . Kids ages 3 to 6 can register to run the Soldier Kids Half Marathon in which the kids run a total of 13.1 miles by accumulating 12.1 miles prior to November 9th, then run a one mile fun run at the National Infantry Museum the Friday evening of November 9th.
Boston Marathon CertifiedBoth the Soldier Marathon course and the Soldier Half Marathon course are certified for accurate distances. The Soldier Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifying race and is also certified with USA Track and Field.
Soldier Marathon CourseThe Soldier Marathon course is rated as being reasonably flat and cool. The marathon course starts and finishes at the National Infantry Museum. The full marathon course runs the first 7 miles on historic Ft. Benning, the home of the world's best military installation. There is a 0.5 mile hill at mile 2 of the full marathon course and then the course runs down a similar hill at mile 5. The full marathon course continues on the RiverWalk along the Chattahoochee River to Uptown Columbus and the world headquarters of TSYS before it returns along the RiverWalk to Oxbow Meadows and the National Infantry Museum. There are 4 short inclines on the marathon course along the RiverWalk of between 0.1 to 0.3 mile.
Soldier Half Marathon CourseThe Soldier Half Marathon course is rated as being reasonably flat and cool. The half marathon course starts and finishes at the National Infantry Museum. The half marathon course runs the first 7 miles on historic Ft. Benning, the home of the world's best military installation. There is a 0.5 mile hill at mile 2 of the half marathon course and then the course runs down a similar hill at mile 5. Afterwards the half marathon course is completely flat and continues along Oxbow Meadow before returning to the National Infantry Museum
TemperatureRace day temperature is great for running. The temperature is cool at the start, usually in the high 30's, and then rises to the mid 60's by the finish of the race.
Beneficiaries The beneficiaries of the Soldier Marathon and Half Marathon are the National Infantry Museum, which memorializes the history of the United States soldier, and the House of Heroes, which helps soldiers repair and rebuild their homes.
Fallen Hero ProgramFallen Hero Program Runners are offered the opportunity to run in honor of a fallen soldier. The fallen hero may be a family member or friend from any branch of armed service and from any campaign or period of service, or the runner may select a fallen hero from the names of soldiers offered at the registration table.