Veterans Marathon and Heroes 5K
- Date Sat 8th November 2025
- Time 8:00AM EST
- Location Columbia City, Indiana
- Price $22.20 - $64.60
- Races 3 races
- Distances 5km, Half Marathon
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Event summary
Join us for the 17th Annual Veterans Marathon, Half-Marathon, and Heroes 5K on Saturday, November 8th, 2025, in the charming town of Columbia City, Whitley, Indiana! This uplifting event is dedicated to honoring our nation’s Veterans and will feature a scenic, gently rolling countryside course that promises an unforgettable race experience. The Veterans Marathon will honor the Space Force, while the Heroes 5K will pay tribute to the Columbia City Fire Department.
Runners will kick off the day at 8:00 AM Eastern Standard Time for both the Marathon and Half-Marathon, with the Heroes 5K starting shortly after at 8:15 AM. The marathon includes two loops and holds USATF certifications (IN17015TDK for the marathon and IN17014TDK for the half-marathon). Participants of the Heroes 5K can also engage in a fun team challenge, competing for unique "Hero-based" awards. After the races, all are invited to enjoy delicious, complimentary hot soup and refreshments at the Clugston, conveniently located near the finish line on Chauncey Street. Don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate our heroes and create lasting memories in a community that
Runners will kick off the day at 8:00 AM Eastern Standard Time for both the Marathon and Half-Marathon, with the Heroes 5K starting shortly after at 8:15 AM. The marathon includes two loops and holds USATF certifications (IN17015TDK for the marathon and IN17014TDK for the half-marathon). Participants of the Heroes 5K can also engage in a fun team challenge, competing for unique "Hero-based" awards. After the races, all are invited to enjoy delicious, complimentary hot soup and refreshments at the Clugston, conveniently located near the finish line on Chauncey Street. Don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate our heroes and create lasting memories in a community that
Organiser's Description
The Bird Family is proud to continue the tradition of the 17th Annual Veterans Marathon, a superb event honoring our nations Veterans.
Located in the heart of northeast Indiana, Columbia City is a small-town community with true Hoosier values. Its a community rooted in its agricultural heritage, strengthened by its commercial and residential development, and proud of its hometown heroes.
In honor of those servicemen and servicewomen throughout nation, We present the 17th Annual Veterans Marathon, Half-Marathon and Heroes 5K on November 8th, 2025. Located in Northeast Indiana. We can promise that flags will be waving at the start, a gently rolling countryside course, and a race experience you will always remember. The Veterans Marathon will be honoring the Space Force for its 17th running of the race, the Heroes 5k will be honoring the Columbia City Fire Department for 2025. The AMVETS post 2919 out of South Whitley, Indiana will be the recipient of 50% of the Veterans Marathon profits, 25% will be donated to the Columbia City Fire Department.
Start time:
8:00 am Eastern Standard Time for the Marathon
8:00 am Eastern Standard Time for the Half-Marathon
8:15 am Eastern Standard Time for the Heroes 5k
End time:
The half-marathon course closes at 2:00 PM, the full marathon course closes at 2:00 PM
Marathon ( 2 Loops) USATF Certification #:IN17015TDK.
Half Marathon USATF Certification #:IN17014TDK.
Heroes 5k course will close by 10:00 am
The Heroes 5k has a 3 person team challenge where the total time of a team is added together to compete with other teams for a unique "Hero-based" award.
Below is our past winning teams:
2020 - HHS Patriots 58:24
2021 - RCC Timing 54:39
2022 - Team DIZ 56:19
2023 - Concord 3 Musketeers 54:31* Team Record
2024 - Blister Sisters 145
POST-RACE:
All post race festivities will take place in the Clugston at the Finish line, this is directly across from the courthouse and the finish line on Chauncey Street.
Hot Soup donated by Columbia City's Elks Lodge # 1417 and the Local VFW post 5582, will be available to all participants free of charge post race as well as other refreshments.
Soups available: Chicken Noodle, Vegetarian Vegetable, Chili
Unique Awards that are made right here in Indiana using limestone mined from Bloomington, Indiana will be up for grabs to the Top 2 in each division. Awards will be available for pick up at their respective times post race at the awards table in the Clugston.
Located in the heart of northeast Indiana, Columbia City is a small-town community with true Hoosier values. Its a community rooted in its agricultural heritage, strengthened by its commercial and residential development, and proud of its hometown heroes.
In honor of those servicemen and servicewomen throughout nation, We present the 17th Annual Veterans Marathon, Half-Marathon and Heroes 5K on November 8th, 2025. Located in Northeast Indiana. We can promise that flags will be waving at the start, a gently rolling countryside course, and a race experience you will always remember. The Veterans Marathon will be honoring the Space Force for its 17th running of the race, the Heroes 5k will be honoring the Columbia City Fire Department for 2025. The AMVETS post 2919 out of South Whitley, Indiana will be the recipient of 50% of the Veterans Marathon profits, 25% will be donated to the Columbia City Fire Department.
Start time:
8:00 am Eastern Standard Time for the Marathon
8:00 am Eastern Standard Time for the Half-Marathon
8:15 am Eastern Standard Time for the Heroes 5k
End time:
The half-marathon course closes at 2:00 PM, the full marathon course closes at 2:00 PM
Marathon ( 2 Loops) USATF Certification #:IN17015TDK.
Half Marathon USATF Certification #:IN17014TDK.
Heroes 5k course will close by 10:00 am
The Heroes 5k has a 3 person team challenge where the total time of a team is added together to compete with other teams for a unique "Hero-based" award.
Below is our past winning teams:
2020 - HHS Patriots 58:24
2021 - RCC Timing 54:39
2022 - Team DIZ 56:19
2023 - Concord 3 Musketeers 54:31* Team Record
2024 - Blister Sisters 145
POST-RACE:
All post race festivities will take place in the Clugston at the Finish line, this is directly across from the courthouse and the finish line on Chauncey Street.
Hot Soup donated by Columbia City's Elks Lodge # 1417 and the Local VFW post 5582, will be available to all participants free of charge post race as well as other refreshments.
Soups available: Chicken Noodle, Vegetarian Vegetable, Chili
Unique Awards that are made right here in Indiana using limestone mined from Bloomington, Indiana will be up for grabs to the Top 2 in each division. Awards will be available for pick up at their respective times post race at the awards table in the Clugston.
Races
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Veterans Marathon
Incl. $4.60 Fee & Full Zip Weather Resistant Jacket
Sat 8th November 2025 (8:00AM EST)
$64.60
Starting downtown Columbia City at 8:00 AM on East Van Buren Street the course heads west through town before looping through the countryside and then returning back into town by the start-line and heading out on loop 2 of the course. Repeating the same loop and then finishing alongside the scenic Whitley County Courthouse on November 8th, 2025 Marathon ( 2 Loops) USATF Certification #:IN17015TDK There are 15 fully staffed aid stations (Culligan water and Gatorade) along the course at the following mile markers: 2.5, 4 (GU Gels Available), 5, 6.5, 8.5, 10, 11(GU Gels Available), 13, 15.5, 17 (GU Gels Available), 18, 20, 21.5, 23, 24 (GU Gels Available). Course Closes at 6 hours or 2:00 PM Special consideration can be made if needed for an extended time allowance with an early start. Please email the race director for more information. -
Veterans 1/2 Marathon
Incl. $3.70 Fee & 1/4 Zip Performance Pull Over
Sat 8th November 2025 (8:00AM EST)
$48.70
Starting downtown Columbia City at 8:00 AM on East Van Buren Street the course heads west through town before looping through the countryside and then returning back into town finishing alongside the scenic Whitley County Courthouse on November 8th, 2025 USATF Certification #:IN17014TDK There are 6 fully staffed aid stations (Culligan water and Gatorade) along the course at the following mile markers: 2.5, 4 (GU Gels Available), 5, 7.5, 10, 11, 12.5. Course Closes at 6 hours or 2:00 PM -
Heroes 5K
Incl. $2.20 Fee & Double Lined Fleece Stocking Hat
Sat 8th November 2025 (8:15AM EST)
$22.20
Starting downtown Columbia City at 8:15 AM shortly after the Marathon starts the course follows the Marathon course west before heading out on Old trail to a turn around point and then following the Marathon course to the Finish. There is 1 staffed Aid Station (Culligan Water) just after the Turn Around 3-Person Team Competition: The Heroes 5K will be incorporating a team competition to the race. This will consist of 3 persons, Male or Female or any combination of that will compete for a team trophy. Scoring will be based off of the total time of the 3 persons finishing times added together.
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