26.2 miles starting at the Boone County History and Culture Center at Nifong Park, running 11 miles down to the Katy Trail, (formerly the MKT Trail Line, now part of the U.S Rails-to Trails system) for 1.5 miles along the scenic Missouri River, past Cooper’s Landing and the historic community of Easley, from where Easley Hill (Route N) affectionately takes its name. Picturesque rural landscape abounds along the winding uphill Route N. Passing the Pierpont General Store, a building which has stood since 1889, the course skirts Rock Bridge State Park before heading back toward Columbia, to Phillips Lake, then back to the Boone County History and Culture Center. **Please note, approximately 5.5 miles of the course is on well-maintained gravel roads/trail to include Smith Hatchery Rd, the Katy Trail, East Bonne Femme Church Rd and South Gans Creek Rd. This is an open course. Runners must run single file on trafficked roads.
The Heart of America Marathon was the 327th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 323rd largest in 2022.
This year 5.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 2.6% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Heart of America Marathon the 413th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 273rd highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 96.56 ranks it as the 391st fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 8th fastest course in Missouri.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Heart of America Marathon a PR Score of 93.44. This PR Score ranks it as the 415th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 9th fastest in Missouri.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Heart of America Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 810 feet (246m) Min Elevation: 558 feet (170m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Heart of America Marathon
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