Heart of America Marathon - Race Reviews

The course was very pretty and even more challenging. The people and volunteers were fantastic. It started at 6AM and was dark for approximately 40 minutes. It started to get warm at the end but the collegiality was overwhelming with lots of enthusiasm. The hills were very tough but satisfying. The post race festivities were wonderful. It was convenience and the volunteers were very supportive. The relay racers were a welcome change from an overcrowded half marathon. Nice personalized bibs and both socks and a shirt! I highly recommend this race

For the 2017 edition of this great course, the organizers made some subtle tweaks to the start/finish, so that the entire course was south of Stadium Blvd. in Columbia, MO. These tweaks made for a much safer course without compromising course difficulty. This Labor Day legend always has some annual measure of special difficulty in store for those runners who dare challenge it; in '17, difficulty came by way of dew points above 70°F for the better part of the course - which makes its volunteers and the spectators all the more appreciated. My only squawk: A bib personalized to HoA would've been preferable to the generic bib from the race management company (though the 'B' tag on the bib certainly beats the 'D' tag or especially the hard chip in the shoelaces).

This was my first marathon, and it was a doozy. The heat was 70 in the morning and 90 by the time of finish. Train for hills and expect heat. Incredible beautiful course. Amazing people who run it.

This 56th Annual Running of the Heart of America Marathon was my 136th marathon completion. It was well supported, very challenging well paved, good Law Enforcement support and many volunteers. The Course is very challenging, running through some picturesque, runs along the Missouri River, with an awesome finish line and post race support Shuttle to an outstanding pizza feed. All Race officials and race director provide an excellent event, great technical shirt, plaques and finisher's medals, really nice Host motel 300 yards from the start of the race!!!! Will definitely run it again next year with many family and friends.

This was my first marathon. We were blessed with cool temperatures and little sun. I enjoyed the challenge of this course, the volunteers were spectacular, and water/Gatorade was plentiful. Most of the run was through beautiful scenery and not crowded by many runners. I enjoyed the peacefulness and quiet of this race. This little race has captured my heart and I will be back for many more.

In December of 2012 I had a cycling accident that required a grueling recovery. I wanted a special race to be my first race back. HOA never disappoints. This was my fourth HOA and ninth marathon. I prefer this marathon to any other. Home town atmosphere, Ice baths, Pizza, it's the best.

My first 26.2. Those hills are brutal. The race was small and relaxed and everyone was so friendly. I know my time suffered from this tough course, but I couldn't have picked a better race to cut my teeth. Thank you for a great experience!

This was the fifth time I have run this marathon and I always enjoy it. It is a great and challenging course, especially when it is 70 degrees at the start and over 80 degrees at the finish. I love the start in the dark. The volunteers are great, the price is greatly appreciated, and I swear by the ice bath at the end. Again, I love that ice bath! The medals are good enough but I really wish they would bring back the old cotton tshirts. I don't like the special fabric and the color the last two years is dreadful. I haven't worn the 2011 and 2012 shirts but I still wear my 2001-2003 shirts all the time. The Hampton is a great hotel and so conveniently located. Shakespeare's Pizza is great - all you can eat pizza for free with a great seating area and plenty of opportunity to meet fellow runners and the volunteers. Bring a water bottle to run with at the start because the first aid station is around the 4 mile mark. And go out slow! Wait until the top of Easley hill (right at the half marathon mark)before you pick up the pace. Don't run this if you are trying for a PR and don't like hard courses. Slow down and savor this marathon.

I did enjoy this race, and would recommend it, but only if you are looking for a unique marathon experience. This one is not for 1st timers, or those looking for a more conventional medium/large sized marathon (and with the support that goes along with them). Here were the positive aspects of this race: 1. Great small town feel, personality! Nice volunteers, packet pick up, no expo. The start feels more like a big running group doing a long training run. As long as you expect this, it is a nice change from the big-city marathons. 2. From about miles 8-20, I found the course scenery absolutely beautiful. That one mile (12) just before the challenging hill, that ran along the Missouri River was gorgeous. A true rave run moment. 3. Very nice pizza party at the end where the award ceremony was held. I enjoyed the pizza, and meeting some wonderful finishers, I really had a nice time getting to chat with the runners at my table, friendly, interesting people. I come across so many fascinating personalities and life stories at these races! And, the improvement opportunities: 1. Put volunteers, or even just signs on the final 1.5 miles! This was my 31st marathon, and I have never come across such a desolate final mile; I was convinced through most of the last mile I had run off course, no sign, volunteer, nothing. I kept slowing down to make sure there was someone behind me (I had purposely run a slow 1st half, to do a fast finish, so I did pass people from mile 12 to the end, and wound up in an odd gap with no one in sight before me, and runners far behind me). I did FINALLY pass the volunteers at the Broadway turn, but then no one to direct me to the finish shoot - I started to turn down 9th ave, and some nice spectator corrected me. Overall I lost time on this stretch that should have been the fast finish I planned, and the stress of wondering whether I had run off course for the entire final miles of the race is an experience I do not want to repeat. Just stick a few signs along the course to reassure the runners they are on track. 2. No one can change this, it is part of the race, but this course and the conditions are very difficult; this is not a marathon for the faint of heart. Humidity, heat, hills, and rough terrain on many parts - this is one of the toughest I have run, my new PW. Just be prepared, and reset your expectations if you think this may be a PR course. 3. About the course - although 8-20 are beautiful, the preceeding and final 6 miles of the race are mostly on the rough shoulder of a busy highway, with the view being strip malls and office buildings - not pretty. Prepare yourself for a final 6 miles on a not-scenic course. 4. I hate when people complain about medals and shirts, but this medal is not the best. Summing it up, set your expectations right, prepare for a charming small town, midwest, scenic course (from miles 8-20), do not require a ton of support, and you will have a great time at this race.

The hills were a challenge, but the scenery made it all worth while. Volunteers were so great. Thank you to Shakespear's Pizzeria - great recovery food!! The red blinky lights didn't want to stay on, I saw many that had fallen off of runners. I was glad I had my own. I really did appreciate the drivers on the narrow road where we were running. They gave us a brake and some even smiled and waved back! I was really worried after reading the description, but so glad I ran this race! I gave 4 stars because the course was a real challenge to me, but I'm one of the 60+ group! It's OK to chuckle here!

I agree with some other comments that reading the pre-race instructions the night before about the fast moving traffic and stay on the shoulder of the road made me very nervous. But when I got out there the next morning, the traffic didn't worry me at all. On the narrow winding roads cars slowed down and moved over. I always felt perfectly safe. The course was absolutely picturesque. Starting out in the dark, and watching the sunrise over the rolling hills and the river was a wonderful memory I will cherish. Yes the hills were tough but not impossible, there were plenty of downhills to make up for the uphills. Spectators were few but that's ok, they were awesome. Volunteers were awesome and truly excited to be there. The spectators cheering at the finish were amazing. I wish I could thank them all for being so motivating. A great running event without all the overextravegance of big city races, which also keeps the cost down - a good thing. Although I would have paid a little extra for a more substantial medal after all that hard work. But the shirts were great!! Loved the shirt. This was my 26th marathon, first Heart of America marathon, and I will be back next year!

This was my seventh marathon and my third HOA. Every year I am impressed with this race. The volunteers make me feel like a superstar. The chit chat over pizza is friendly, and accepting of all. This race is always my slowest time but by far the best race.

The race is truly beautiful. The course is lined with trees and even a spell by the Missouri river. The weather was perfect, a great day for a race. The volunteers were very nice, even if they were not every 2 miles. I was not with the pack and the road that we ran on made me nervous. I did not feel safe at any point at the race. I was out there by myself with cars blazing past me. There was absolutely no shoulder and no protection from the cars that are flying by at 50 miles an hour. I know most people who run this race adore it, and I guess it is safer when you are with the main group of runners. For those of us not in the group I was frightened.

This was marathon #6 for me. I absolutely loved the course, can't wait to tackle it again. The aid stations were a little far apart for me but, I loved the cold water sponges at the last few stations. It was difficult to run on the shoulder since both lanes were open to traffic. All in all it was a great experience and the weather was perfect. I will be running HOA again.

This was a very nicely organized smaller marathon, and one of the best 'little' ones that I have done. From the low entry fee, nice tech shirt, friendly race people, and good food, this is a race that everyone who runs for the love of running and not for the acclaim or to boost their ego should run. This course is hilly, so it probably helps to be trained for hills, although I was not and I still had a good time. The only really bad one came at about the halfway point, but at least it didn't come at the end! The weather may also be a factor, since it does get hot and humid at this time of year in MO. This year, however, it was almost perfect! Temps in the 50's throughout most of the race were definitely welcomed, and if not for the slight headwinds, it would have been ideal. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend this race for anyone who loves the friendly vibe and atmosphere of small races. I am also a 50 stater, and I am glad I choose this race for MO. It was really an excellent race in all ways.

It was so encouraging to have all the great volunteers cheering for us and giving us water. That's what I like so much about this race, and the great orange slices at the water station!!! Thanks to all the people who cheered us on. I love this marathon.

After picking up my packet the night before the race, I came across some information I would have preferred to know prior to committing to the race.....'no ipods allowed', 'run in single file....no shoulder on road at times.... traffic fast and furious'. Being the marathon wimp that I am, this made me nervous. I can not run 26 miles without music as a distraction, so I began the race with a little nervousness and resentment to be honest, feeling like an outlaw with my headphones on. And then this wonderful marathon setting melted my resentment away. It helped a lot that the weather was absolutely perfect-50's to 60's with a little wind, perfectly sunny day. The hills are significant, but actually not as bad as other marathons I have run, like Nike Women's in San Francisco. The course is idyllic for someone who would enjoy a tree-filled country setting. I loved it and neither me nor any other outlaws were splattered on the road. You do have to run in single file during much of the race, so it would be difficult to run in a group. This is a great race for the person who likes to run solo.

This was my first marathon, but I was pleasantly surprised at the level of organization - including the on-line info, the packet pick-up, the frequency of the aid stations, the ice tubs, post-race get-together, and the overall attitude of the organizers. The course is a little tough, but the weather was great this year, and if you run a marathon for the challenge, then this type of course is a "celebration" of the kind of challenge that many of us look for.

I love this race. Ran it for the first time last year, and stayed for the pizza this year! Thanks, Shakespeare's! It was awesome. Local, friendly, and in fact, I adopted some fans along the way - a group of people were cheering for someone close to me and it was awesome to see them every few miles.

for a hilly course, it was not as bad as the course map made it look... running on BT 50K course in OH made these not seem so daunting! Hills are relative to where you train and live. i enjoyed this race. People were friendly and it was an "all the basics covered" kind of marathon.

It's the best of the Midwest. The variety of sensations coupled with the simple and pleasant approach of the people make this a signature race for the Midwest. The early start at 6 a.m. on Labor Day signal, "Hey, where else would you rather be than here - today?" It is dark and cool, about 55 degrees. I enjoyed the lack of pretentiousness or pomp and circumstance in this race. The approach is much like the first two guys who ran the race in 1960 - show up, go, then finish and shut up already. The course winds through the University of Missouri campus then leads out of town, following an old pioneering routes to the Missouri River. As the sun begins to rise you are passing cows and cornfields on your clandestine meeting at the old oak tree with your fellow Bushwackers (are we to raid Lawrence this morn'?). The last 14 miles winding through the river hills is grueling. You have mostly separated yourself from other racers and are now left to conquer these ups and downs on your own. The sun is beginning to be a problem, and it's likely that the humidity index is accelerating even quicker. There may have been dew or even light rain in the morning, so you are caught between shivers of coolness and wetness and bouts of baking and thirst. You need to be self sufficient since the water/Gatorade stands come only every 5 miles or so. (There are no fast food stops on the Oregon Trail.) The last 6 miles seem to extend the race beyond the difficulty level. There are two major hills and one last mile up a small incline. You have returned to town to celebrate your plundering of Lawrence and ready to make stock of your bullet holes and friends that you have lost along the way. A post-race pizza party adds spice to the event: they simply lay out pie after pie and you feed until you are happy. Add a pitcher of beer to mark the holiday. Epic race with many positive aspects. No negatives.

Great race if you're just looking to get out and run with some folks who love the sport. Small field, no frills, but all the basics are covered. The course is quite rural, so there aren't many spectators. Miles 20-24 are a bit bleak as you run on the shoulder of a state highway. The rest of the course is beautiful (and hilly). Heat wasn't an issue this year, but it often is. Post-race party at Shakespeare's was great.

On our drive home, as my running buddy and I analyzed the race, he finally summarized it perfectly. "There are two types of folks who run this race," he said. "There are local runners, for whom this is a point of local pride. And there are hard-core marathoners who relish a true challenge." That's right on it. I really, really liked this marathon. It is the full opposite of the highly produced, big-city marathon. It is organized by volunteers, not paid administrators, who love running and don't apologize for the toughness of the course. Six huge hills and numerous other smaller hills are the key feature. I found the big loop portion of the race just wonderfully scenic. The ups, downs, twists, turns all made for a most enjoyable route. This is a tough course. And I look forward to running it again. Thanks to everyone who had a role in making this a real gem in the Heart of America.

If you like small marathons that are challenging, and you want a run for the pure enjoyment of completing a difficult course, then this is for you. Tough hills, but great support for a small marathon. It's not a Boston qualifier, but it's well worth the effort to add this to your schedule. My daughter and I have run 28 other marathons in 28 different states, and we thoroughly enjoyed this challenge. You'll run with outstanding people who are there for the thrill of the challenge - just like you. Sign-up - do it - and you will not be disappointed.

When I was picking up my package at the Hampton Inn, I overheard a lady asking Mr. Hal Higdon if this race is hard. He responded by saying that all marathons are 26.2 miles, no matter how you look at it, and therefore, they are all difficult to complete. I have to admit that I have never viewed a marathon from that perspective, and I have a new-found attitude. You can't beat the price, there are great spectators, and they give out a good-looking shirt and all of the pizza you can eat.

You can't get more for your running dollar. Period. The event is very runner-friendly and has all the ingredients that much "fancier" events give you for three or four times the price. I've run this twice, and I look forward to doing it again. The course is a toughie; such is the reason for doing it. Weather doesn't always cooperate either. Yet there is a sense of REAL accomplishment involved. Every serious runner should do the HOA at least once!

This is my favorite smaller marathon. At $25, it is a bargain. I ran it as my first marathon in 2004 and every year since. It is a challenging course, so be prepared for the hills. It has been humid every year that I have run it, and it's often foggy. This year was no exception. Some years there is also heat. This year was not as bad as last year. The course is what it is, along some roads with no shoulder, but it is tradition and they aren't going to change it. The hills are what make this marathon interesting. It is not boring, and the course is very scenic - taking you down to the Missouri River, and then up the big Easley hill. The organization is always exceptional. Being the 50th annual, this year the marathon was more of a big deal with a banquet and post-race pizza party. This marathon is great if you like an intimate marathon with a lot of personality and an extra challenge with the hills, heat, and humidity!

I am probably unusual for a marathon participant (but what is "usual" about ANY marathon participant?). Before running this race, I had completed a grand total of two marathons. I completed Hogeye in Fayetteville, AR in 1984 and 1985. I tried Hogeye in 2002, but was beaten by the rain and the cold. Having said that, I had run marathon distance 18 times this year just training for the marathon. But, even at that, I was ill-prepared for this one! The course was brutal! I did not like the fact that a lot of it was on a state highway with no shoulder. The hill near the half-way point was unforgiving! My left knee almost quit me at about the 21-mile marker; and it was sheer stubbornness that kept me going. I finished less than 10 minutes before the 7-hour cutoff. My greatest feeling of accomplishment was that the course did not beat me! But I have a healthy respect for the course. I don't plan on giving it a rematch. Having said all of that, the organization was terrific! The people (volunteers and spectators) were very encouraging. I'll never forget the entertainment along the way (especially the Irish-style fiddlers at the campsite). I am glad that I ran the race ONCE and completed it. But I think that I'll let one time do it.

Absolutely beautiful scenery. Well organized. Challenging. I met some awesome people (that would be you, B.F.). Thank you for all of the memories, HOA.

This race will grow on you. There is so much character and variation in the route that it takes a couple of runnings to really appreciate everything that Heart of America has to offer. Miles 14-18 are some of the most beautiful miles you will ever run as you take in the rolling countryside on an early September morning. I've run the big ones (Chicago, Boston, Marine Corps), but there is just something special about the intimate feel of this marathon. Yes, it is hilly and I wouldn't want it any other way. If you are looking for something unique, challenging and a bit off of the beaten path, then I can't think of a better choice than Heart of America. Make it a Labor Day tradition!

I'm a novice, and the race was hard! That is why we run it. The organizers did an awesome job, and the town turned out for the event. The course was beautiful, with small farms covered in fog. Breathtaking.

I would like to thank the volunteers for doing a great job; we could not come out here and do this without you doing what you do. You men and women are the best. This is a very tough course, but you people make it bearable. Thanks again!

I have run many long races. By comparison, Joe and crew directed one of the best races I have ever experienced. Volunteers were very trained, supportive, and enthusiastic. Aid stations were as promised and plentiful. Even many countryside neighbors were bringing the whole family out and applauding us as we passed. It was a tough course, but the weather was cooler and overcast. The whiners should stay home if they don't like courses with personality. The $25 fee is unreal. I am going to send a follow-up donation. Come on, runners; reward them for excellence. I would recommend HOA to anyone who values support, director integrity, and an inspiring experience, not soon to be forgotten. Thanks to all of the volunteers who showed unparalleled dedication. Also, thanks to the several young girls who passed out iced sponges at mile 22. God bless all.

As a Mainer heading south in late summer, I suspected going in that this was not going to be a PR course for me but did underestimate the hills. For the entry fee of $25, we got personal service and Q&A at the start, a light to wear pre-dawn, adequate water stops (some with much appreciated ICE water), a t-shirt and a nice finisher's medal. Perhaps the best value to be had. To top off the kudos to the organization - I inadvertently ripped off 2 checks when sending in my entry and got the extra, blank check back via mail before I knew it was missing. My only "gripe" was the few-mile stretch towards the end where we ran with, rather than facing, traffic along the highway, which was a little disconcerting. It was hot and it was especially humid thanks to Gustav, but I knew it would be going into the race.... Very well done!

I am a local and have always knew of the HOA. I always said that you are not a Boone County Runner unless you have done this race. I volunteered in 2007 and got inspired to run it. Well, I did it. It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't graceful, but I did it. If you are looking to be pampered at a race, please keep looking here. There were plenty of water stops. The few people you do see are very enthusiastic. The stock tub filled with ice water to soak your legs at the end was a bonus. Plus the massage tent is a must-visit. Expect to hurt. Expect to wonder, what am I doing here? Be ready to roll the dice on weather (2007 was great; 2008, hot and humid). Wait a few hours after the finish, and you will be ready to start training for next year.

HOA was only my second marathon. My older brother is a local and has run HOA several times. He gave me plenty of warning about the hills and the heat, so I trained in the heat and did lots of hill work. The weather was perfect and we both had PRs. I was well pleased with the organization for a small marathon. I'm running it again in '08. My only negative comment is that I wish the start and finish lines were closer together.

This was my 15th marathon and probably the hardest. If the hills don't get you, the heat may. It is not a PR course for sure. The countryside in rural Missouri is quite nice and as we approached the Missouri River, which we ran next to for a couple of miles. You could hear the dove hunters blasting away. The organization was good and the water breaks were good as well. I think it was probably the most laid back race from the standpoint that it was no frills, no expo, no lines, and a great price of $28.00!! If you want a challenge, this is it!!