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PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONUS / RACE GUIDE

Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Columbia City
US

Public domainGeorgia National Guard from United States · CC BY 2.0Lance Cpl. Andrea Cleopatra Dickerson · Public domain

Race date in 38 days: Nov 14, 2026 Sat
City · Distance: Columbia City · 42.195km · 21.1km
Entry fee: $110Varies by event and entry period
Status: OpenSun, July 5, 2026 ~ Thu, November 12, 2026See how to enter ↗

Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 7, 2026

About the race Runner stories How to enter Course Race Prep Travel

Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

This is the 18th edition of the Veterans Marathon.

The event honors American military veterans, and this year Race Beyond Limits has taken over as the organizer.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 2

JoeRan in 2013 · Finish time 4:42:46

“Most of the time I was by myself, enjoying the solitude of distance running.”

At the Veterans Marathon, they ran another full marathon just 7 days after a hard marathon effort, enjoying it like a long training run. A banana left beside course supplied fuel, and they stayed comfortable late to finish in 4 hours 42 minutes 46 seconds.

Read the original on Run with Perseverance

Mark DavidhizarFinish time 1:23:22

“I love small marathon races, and this is a good one.”

At the Veterans half marathon Marathon, they tested their recovery just 1 week after a full marathon personal best. They moved up through the field on windy country roads to finish second overall and first in the 30–39 age group in 1 hour 23 minutes 22 seconds.

Read the original on Mark to Boston 2015 Blog

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Full recap

FOX 55 Fort Wayne · Full recap

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

Marathon

Entry cost $110

subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Half

Entry cost $90

subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Registration platform RunSignup

Official race website Entry options

From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

The 42.195km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 08:00

Event	Start	Time limit
Marathon42.195km	08:00	6h
Half21.0975km	08:00	6h

START

108 South Chauncey St, Columbia City, IN

Start · Google Maps

Cut-off
Full marathon must complete the first lap by 11:15. Otherwise, you will be switched to half marathon.

The categories are Veterans Marathon and Veterans Half Marathon.

The start takes place at 108 South Chauncey St, Columbia City, IN, at 8:00 AM local time.

Typical race-season temperature: around 5°C (40°F): Long sleeves + a throwaway layer for the start

Participant benefits

Not yet confirmed in the official race guide

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2025 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

Packet pickup information has not yet been announced.
For a small race, race-morning pickup is typical; check the registration page for details.

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

No public transit; car access only

Start/finish is at the intersection of West Van Buren St and North Chauncey St in downtown Columbia City, Indiana.

No shuttle or parking-lot details posted on the official page.

Small Indiana town, no public transit system exists locally.

Getting to the finish

Same as start (downtown Columbia City intersection)

Per secondary source, parking is ample and about a half block from the start/finish.

Packet pickup at the Clugston building Friday 4:00-6:30 PM and Saturday 6:30-7:30 AM per official site.

More details

No shuttle service found.

Small town (pop.

~8,000) with no dedicated municipal bus/transit system.

Stations & transport near the venue

Columbia City, Indiana has no public transit card system;

this small-town venue is car-access only.

Visitors should plan on a rental car, with cash or card sufficient for any local parking needs.

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Columbia City in November — an average of 5°C, so cold weather is a factor.

Spend plenty of time indoors before the start so you do not cool down, and it is safest to bring gloves, a beanie, and a neck warmer.

Public transportation does not reach the venue.

Driving or renting a car is the only realistic option.

Registration is handled through the RunSignup platform.

Full marathon truly begins after 30km.

Passing halfway 5–10 seconds slower than your target pace is better for maintaining your pace late in the race,

and start taking gels early, before you feel hungry.

The start is at 08:00. Registration closes on November 12, 2026.

Times are local to Columbia City. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels that make race morning easy

2 places

Distances are straight-line from the start.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbia City, An Ihg Hotel

Hotel · 2.1km

6.7/10(138)

View on Booking.com

Super 8 By Wyndham Columbia City

Hotel · 1.5km

6.4/10(96)

View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on map Seeing Columbia City with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

Checklist Local eSIM · Yesim Flight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelp Pace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Columbia City runners' room

FAQ

When does Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon 2026 take place?

It takes place on Sat, November 14, 2026 in Columbia City, IN, United States.

How much is the Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon 2026 entry fee?

The main event costs $110.

What distances does Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon 2026 offer?

Marathon · Half.

What time does Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon 2026 start?

The race starts at 08:00.

Where does Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon 2026 start?

108 South Chauncey St, Columbia City, IN.

What are the Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon 2026 cut-off times?

Full marathon must complete the first lap by 11:15.

Otherwise, you will be switched to half marathon.

When does registration for Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon 2026 open?

Registration runs from Sun, July 5, 2026 to Thu, November 12, 2026.

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Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon

About Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon — what makes it special

A day you'll remember,long past the finish line.

The road to your own record

When the city cheers

The trip that follows the run