Veterans Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, November 11, 2023 • Columbia City, IN • Course Map

Timed to coincide with the week that commemorates Veterans Day and to honor all those who have served in the U.S. armed forces, Columbia City’s Veterans Marathon & Half Marathon will take runners on a tour of this city of just over 8,000 souls in northeastern Indiana, which lies between the state’s more well-known cities of Fort Wayne and South Bend, the home of the University of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish.

The fall of 2023 marks the race’s 15th annual running, and will start and finish near the center of Columbia City, with the starting line on Van Buren Street, just a block away from the finish line, which runners will cross in front of the Courthouse Square on Market Street.

Those running the half marathon will run first loop of the full marathon course, making roughly an out-and-back loop from the streets of town out into the farmland areas south of town, through residential neighborhoods in the first few miles and along roads that run past wide-open farm fields in the middle and later stretches of the route.

The brainchild of longtime local race director Gary Bird, the Veterans Marathon is also a USA Track & Field-certified course, which means that runners will be able to use it as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Like the full, 26.2-mile race, the half marathon features rolling hills throughout the course, though no major changes in elevation. The lowest point in the half (just under 830 feet above sea level) occurs just after runners pass the mile 12 marker, while the highest point occurs near the mile 2 marker (just below 890 feet).

Both the half and the full marathons start at 8:00 AM, and those running the half are limited to four hours on the course (the half will close at 12 noon), while those running the full marathon have six hours to complete their race.

Race Weather & Climate

Located in the northeastern part of the state, just over 20 miles west of Fort Wayne, Ind., Columbia City typically experiences moderately cool to often cold weather in the mid-fall, with relatively even precipitation throughout the season (which may fall as frozen precipitation depending on conditions).

On race day (Nov. 11), the average low is 32ºF and the average high is 50ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Veterans Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

  • 8:00 AM – full marathon, half marathon
  • 8:15 AM – 5K

Fees

  • $50 – $100 for the half marathon
  • $70 – $125 for the full marathon
  • $15 – $35 for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of the Veterans Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, register online at RunSignup.com here.

Official Race Website

runveteransmarathon.com

Comments

Ever run in the Veterans Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: November, Indiana

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