The United States Air Force Marathon is a mostly flat loop course through Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
The course does have two sections of hills. The first section is at the start and the other section is near the end of the race at approximately mile 21 to mile 25. The rest of the course is very flat.
How does the United States Air Force Marathon Rank?
The United States Air Force Marathon was the 64th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 66th largest in 2022.
This year 1.5% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 4.8% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the United States Air Force Marathon the 348th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 361st highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 98.91 ranks it as the 215th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 6th fastest course in Ohio.
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 United States Air Force Marathon a PR Score of 97.58. This PR Score ranks it as the 299th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 9th fastest in Ohio.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
United States Air Force Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 930 feet (283m) Min Elevation: 785 feet (239m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the United States Air Force Marathon
View available accomodations around the United States Air Force Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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How Fast Can You Go?
If you ran the United States Air Force Marathon in 3:38:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
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KL's review of 2019 United States Air Force Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
Review
The staff and volunteers were very helpful and accommodating. However, because it falls in september you run the risk of an Indian summer. I trained with most of my summer runs falling in the high 60s/low 70s. This race was 80* two hours in. There was little to no shade, many miles With zero human interaction and two huge hills between miles 21-25.
Race Tips
If you're an experienced marathon runner you should be able to take all of the above in stride. This was my 3rd marathon and I think I learned that September is just too dicey when it comes to heat to spend months of training for conditions out of your control.
Not enough portable toilets - get to race early to get in line.
G's review of 2019 United States Air Force Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
You would expect the military to be well organized and the Air Force delivers in that area. Generous on course support, and the air base is a unique setting for this race. The weather was bad, with a 40 minute delay for lightning and a hot muggy day on the course - it was yellow flag conditions for the whole race. While the course is mostly not hilly, it isn't pancake flat either, and the hills that are on the course hit you at the end when you are digging deep already. Visit the the museum, the exhibits are awesome and you can see all that for free as part of the dinner. This was only my third marathon, but despite the heat and the weather, I still made a PR and qualified for Boston, so all in all a good day.
I bought a VIP parking pass and was glad I did, quicker into the lot and a much shorter walk to the car after the race.
DB's review of 2017 United States Air Force Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Excellent organization, polite and impressive military presence, great volunteers, challenging and well-marked course(s), easy parking and logistics. Very cool fly-overs by various AF aircraft - different each year!
Race Tips
Expect a great race environment, as proven by the consistent popularity of this event (all distances). The USAF is very experienced at putting this race and it shows. Not an easy course - rolling, climbs, and false flats abound. Pace yourself conservatively as climbs in beginning AND end will be challenging. Weather can also be a factor, heat and humidity are generally felt, especially as the race progresses.
Plenty of lodging options near-by, but reserve early. Bring BAGGIES to protect running shoes from getting wet from the short walk from grass field parking area to pavement approach to start area. Also allow time for security check, etc.
MWR's review of 2017 United States Air Force Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
This is a well-organized and fun race, with a unique setting (on active military base), with lots of enthusiastic volunteers. I especially like that there was an aid station at almost every mile. This made a big difference to me. Most of the race is void of spectators due to being on secure military base, but there is plenty of support where the course runs off-base. Begins and ends at the National Museum of the US Air Force; an incredible collection of aircraft! It would take 2 complete days to see everything. Make time to see at least some of it, which will be easy to do if you attend the pasta dinner the night before since the dinner takes place in the museum. Where else can you eat a dinner with a B52 on one side of you and an F22 on the other side?
Race Tips
The hills across miles 2-5 didn't seem noticeable and from there thru mile 21 is a slight downhill. I made the mistake of thinking the hills of miles 22-25 would come back the same way as going out. Not so! You run out on gradually up-sloping lanes of a highway, but return on the frontage road which has lots of rolling hills; which is where I began cramping. If I could do it over again, I would not have gone out so fast in order to save something for the rolling hills at the end. I made a rookie mistake :( I hope to return to this race in a later year to show it who is boss!
The hills across miles 2-5 didn't seem noticeable and from there thru mile 21 is a slight downhill. I made the mistake of thinking the hills of miles 22-25 would come back the same way as going out. Not so! You run out on gradually up-sloping lanes of a highway, but return on the frontage road which has lots of rolling hills; which is where I began cramping. If I could do it over again, I would not have gone out so fast in order to save something for the rolling hills at the end. I made a rookie mistake :( I hope to return to this race in a later year to show it who is boss!
Tim's review of 2017 United States Air Force Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
I enjoyed helping others and as a United States Air Force Cycling Team member, this is a well organized event and everything moves right along. I will be there again this year for 2018.
Race Tips
Course is relatively flat and many roads are closed for the event.
Arrive on time. The start wait's for no one. Information is well provided in your packets. Do not stay at Motel 6 in Dayton. It is very disgusting and ill kept.
