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Marathon Details - BG26.2 Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > KY > Bowling Green > BG26.2 Marathon

BG26.2 Marathon

BG26.2 Marathon & Half Marathon, 6K

Bowling Green, KY USA

November 3, 2024

http://www.bg262.com

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Race Details

The bg26.2 is a Boston Qualifier. 13.1 mile loop running through historic downtown Bowling Green and through the beautiful Western Kentucky University campus

Contact Information

Name:	bg26.2 & half marathon
Address:	PO Box 2652 Bowling Green, KY 42102
Phone Number:	270-791-2346
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (5)

Course 4.2

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.4

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Number of comments: 5

n. s. from FL (12/6/2019) "Fun & Well Organized Small Race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We had a lovely, cool sunny day to run this year. The course is scenic & a nice tour of the charming town. I ran the full marathon, so it was two identical loops (thus 4 stars instead of 5). I didn't mind this like I thought I would because I knew exactly how the 2nd half would be. There are a couple of good hills in the first 4 1/2 miles, but enough downhill (that isn't severe enough to trash your quads) to make up for that, and the remaining miles of the loop are relatively or completely flat. I ran a good time and was just out for a training run. The volunteers are wonderful and include a pirate themed stretch of the course ('Say arrrggghhh!'). Race organization was really SUPERB. I'm a former marathon RD and organization is the most important factor for me in choosing a race. I'm a 50 stater and did this for my KY race and I loved it. Highly recommended!! My 42nd race marathon or longer distance.
L. B. from Kansas City, MO (11/7/2016) "Low Key, Well Run Marathon" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon is a double loop, challenging course run through a charming campus town. The first loop is hilly and runs through the WKU campus; the second relatively flat. You run the course twice for the marathon - they use the same course for the half. (Does that make it a double loop, double loop course?!!) Packet pickup, held at the National Corvette Museum, was combined with the fee-included pasta dinner. Both were efficient and low key. There was a rudimentary expo with more free goodies than expected given the size of the expo and race. A gentleman greeted runners at packet pickup and offered strategies (warnings?) to runners about how to deal with the hills on the WKU campus and to remind everyone that uphills lead to downhills. Race morning was also low key as the marathon and half marathon runners start before most of the much larger 6k race field's participants had arrived. The combined field for the full and half was never 'large' and thinned considerably on the second lap of the course. On that second lap portions of the course were opened to traffic, but all major intersections were manned by police, lesser roads had course monitors, and locals were very runner friendly - they slowed down for runners, they smiled, they waved. Great people. The course was marked with signs and at virtually every turn of the course there were bright yellow stickers on the pavement pointing the way. Water/Gatorade stations were located basically at every mile and several also had gel packets and/or gel blocks. In sum, the race director had course support covered. If you are looking for cheering crowds you should probably look elsewhere. Then again, you would miss the most enthusiastic crew of pirates that ever manned a water(melon) stop - no kidding! There is more than enough eye candy in the autumn colors and local Bowling Green sights to hold your interest for 26.2. WKU is a handsome, modern campus and if you keep an eye out you can spot one of their famous albino squirrels. The whole of Bowling Green is filled with interesting historic buildings and Victorian houses. This race is perfect for 50 Staters looking to check Kentucky off the list and any runner who likes well-run races in interesting towns.
D. M. from Ogden, UT (11/5/2014) "Very nice college town marathon" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is a double loop, with the first five miles of each loop containing significant hills and back-and-forth paralleling of streets. Once that section is done, runners head east on a relatively flat section. The toughest part of this is setting out on the beginning of the second loop - tough hills to conquer after 13 miles. The organization and amenities were second to none. Decent race bag in the form of a day pack, throw blanket, cotton shirt, tech shirt - pretty amazing. The pasta dinner was nice (although, I should have gone back for seconds - I wasn't certain that was allowed.) The two things I would strongly advocate for are: 1) run the second half in some other way - the repeat of those hills really was murder; and 2) organize an area to leave a drop bag at the start/finish. That should be a very easy logistic. I ended up leaving my rental car unlocked with the keys inside (since running with rental car keys is next to impossible.) Just a very nice event. It gets lonely out there on the second loop, though - be prepared for that (I personally like it that way, though.)
G. F. from Dayton, OH (11/7/2013) "Very nice 'small-town' marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 16th marathon. It was a very well run small marathon. It was a very spectator-friendly race with numerous spots to watch. It was definitely a little hilly in the first 6 miles, but not too hateful. Shirt sizes ran a little small, refreshments were adequate and volunteers were excellent
R. M. from North Carolina (11/3/2013) "Wow - great small town marathon!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 What a wonderful event. I ran the marathon (less than 200 runners - the half was much more popular with probably 500 runners). Having run over 50 marathons of various sizes, the Bowling Green marathon is one of the best small marathons you could hope for. The race organizers have every detail covered. Race course is certified and is a double loop through the town and Western Kentucky University campus. Although not a closed course, there is an abundance of friendly police at all intersections and enthusiastic volunteers to keep you going in the right direction. Pre-race pasta dinner at the Corvette Museum was a nice touch, included a free tour and everyone so friendly - especially the WKU spirit club who handled the bib/t-shirt stations! The goody bag included a nice gym bag filled with great stuff (not just printed matter). Nice tech long-sleeve with the race logo. The start at the ballpark offered easy parking, ample bathrooms in the stadium and a lively race announcer that kept you excited for the race start (and it felt great to hear him call your name and hometown at the finish!) The post race food offered chocolate milk and burgers on the grill, among other usual snacks - what a nice touch. My hat is off to the Bowling Green Marathon race organizers, I don't know how you could do it better - A six hour drive for me to get there, but I will be back. Value, organization, attention to detail - this race has it all. Now, if I can just make a better time next year....



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n. s. from FL (12/6/2019) "Fun & Well Organized Small Race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We had a lovely, cool sunny day to run this year. The course is scenic & a nice tour of the charming town. I ran the full marathon, so it was two identical loops (thus 4 stars instead of 5). I didn't mind this like I thought I would because I knew exactly how the 2nd half would be. There are a couple of good hills in the first 4 1/2 miles, but enough downhill (that isn't severe enough to trash your quads) to make up for that, and the remaining miles of the loop are relatively or completely flat. I ran a good time and was just out for a training run. The volunteers are wonderful and include a pirate themed stretch of the course ('Say arrrggghhh!'). Race organization was really SUPERB. I'm a former marathon RD and organization is the most important factor for me in choosing a race. I'm a 50 stater and did this for my KY race and I loved it. Highly recommended!! My 42nd race marathon or longer distance.
L. B. from Kansas City, MO (11/7/2016) "Low Key, Well Run Marathon" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon is a double loop, challenging course run through a charming campus town. The first loop is hilly and runs through the WKU campus; the second relatively flat. You run the course twice for the marathon - they use the same course for the half. (Does that make it a double loop, double loop course?!!) Packet pickup, held at the National Corvette Museum, was combined with the fee-included pasta dinner. Both were efficient and low key. There was a rudimentary expo with more free goodies than expected given the size of the expo and race. A gentleman greeted runners at packet pickup and offered strategies (warnings?) to runners about how to deal with the hills on the WKU campus and to remind everyone that uphills lead to downhills. Race morning was also low key as the marathon and half marathon runners start before most of the much larger 6k race field's participants had arrived. The combined field for the full and half was never 'large' and thinned considerably on the second lap of the course. On that second lap portions of the course were opened to traffic, but all major intersections were manned by police, lesser roads had course monitors, and locals were very runner friendly - they slowed down for runners, they smiled, they waved. Great people. The course was marked with signs and at virtually every turn of the course there were bright yellow stickers on the pavement pointing the way. Water/Gatorade stations were located basically at every mile and several also had gel packets and/or gel blocks. In sum, the race director had course support covered. If you are looking for cheering crowds you should probably look elsewhere. Then again, you would miss the most enthusiastic crew of pirates that ever manned a water(melon) stop - no kidding! There is more than enough eye candy in the autumn colors and local Bowling Green sights to hold your interest for 26.2. WKU is a handsome, modern campus and if you keep an eye out you can spot one of their famous albino squirrels. The whole of Bowling Green is filled with interesting historic buildings and Victorian houses. This race is perfect for 50 Staters looking to check Kentucky off the list and any runner who likes well-run races in interesting towns.
D. M. from Ogden, UT (11/5/2014) "Very nice college town marathon" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is a double loop, with the first five miles of each loop containing significant hills and back-and-forth paralleling of streets. Once that section is done, runners head east on a relatively flat section. The toughest part of this is setting out on the beginning of the second loop - tough hills to conquer after 13 miles. The organization and amenities were second to none. Decent race bag in the form of a day pack, throw blanket, cotton shirt, tech shirt - pretty amazing. The pasta dinner was nice (although, I should have gone back for seconds - I wasn't certain that was allowed.) The two things I would strongly advocate for are: 1) run the second half in some other way - the repeat of those hills really was murder; and 2) organize an area to leave a drop bag at the start/finish. That should be a very easy logistic. I ended up leaving my rental car unlocked with the keys inside (since running with rental car keys is next to impossible.) Just a very nice event. It gets lonely out there on the second loop, though - be prepared for that (I personally like it that way, though.)
G. F. from Dayton, OH (11/7/2013) "Very nice 'small-town' marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 16th marathon. It was a very well run small marathon. It was a very spectator-friendly race with numerous spots to watch. It was definitely a little hilly in the first 6 miles, but not too hateful. Shirt sizes ran a little small, refreshments were adequate and volunteers were excellent
R. M. from North Carolina (11/3/2013) "Wow - great small town marathon!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 BG26.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 What a wonderful event. I ran the marathon (less than 200 runners - the half was much more popular with probably 500 runners). Having run over 50 marathons of various sizes, the Bowling Green marathon is one of the best small marathons you could hope for. The race organizers have every detail covered. Race course is certified and is a double loop through the town and Western Kentucky University campus. Although not a closed course, there is an abundance of friendly police at all intersections and enthusiastic volunteers to keep you going in the right direction. Pre-race pasta dinner at the Corvette Museum was a nice touch, included a free tour and everyone so friendly - especially the WKU spirit club who handled the bib/t-shirt stations! The goody bag included a nice gym bag filled with great stuff (not just printed matter). Nice tech long-sleeve with the race logo. The start at the ballpark offered easy parking, ample bathrooms in the stadium and a lively race announcer that kept you excited for the race start (and it felt great to hear him call your name and hometown at the finish!) The post race food offered chocolate milk and burgers on the grill, among other usual snacks - what a nice touch. My hat is off to the Bowling Green Marathon race organizers, I don't know how you could do it better - A six hour drive for me to get there, but I will be back. Value, organization, attention to detail - this race has it all. Now, if I can just make a better time next year....

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Marathon Details - BG26.2 Marathon