bg26.2 (Bowling Green Marathon)
Bowling Green, KY
- Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, Half Marathon, 6K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Join the bg26.2 & Half Marathon in a race against Multiple Sclerosis. The Boston Marathon qualifying USATF certified course (13.1 mile loop) starts (and finishes) at the Bowling Green Ballpark and runs a 13.1 mile loop through historic downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky and the beautiful campus of Western Kentucky University. … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Nov 01):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 60 | 68 | 49 | 72 | 60 |
| L (°F) | 40 | 46 | 28 | 54 | 41 |
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Well organized/supported small race
Well organized small race with great pre-race communication. Somewhat hilly (at least 1200 gain), but the up-hills weren't too bad. A couple of the down hills were very short and … MORE
Well organized small race with great pre-race communication. Somewhat hilly (at least 1200 gain), but the up-hills weren’t too bad. A couple of the down hills were very short and steep, which pounded on some joints and quads a little. There are a LOT of turns on this two loop course, but the plus side is they had ample volunteers and police/traffic control to keep you on course. Overall a nice race and close to the Corvette museum if you’re a fan of sports cars or Mammoth Cave National Park if that’s more appealing.
This race was cute as a button.
This race was a perfect small town marathon. Folks were so friendly. Very well organized. Wonderful fundraiser for MS. The expo included a free pasta dinner for race participants which … MORE
This race was a perfect small town marathon. Folks were so friendly. Very well organized. Wonderful fundraiser for MS.
The expo included a free pasta dinner for race participants which was very nice.
Course was a bit hilly but what do you expect when running through the campus of the Hilltoppers.
Not a bad production
Overall the logistics were very good. I was not impressed by the course. Volunteers were great. Not much support from the neighborhoods we ran through. Glad I didn’t run the … MORE
Overall the logistics were very good. I was not impressed by the course. Volunteers were great. Not much support from the neighborhoods we ran through. Glad I didn’t run the full. Doing that loop a second time would have been really tough.
A low-key marathon in the midwest
This race had a very small field. Relatively few spectators on the course. The course is a 13.1-mile loop so marathoners run the course twice, which is through downtown Bowling … MORE
This race had a very small field. Relatively few spectators on the course. The course is a 13.1-mile loop so marathoners run the course twice, which is through downtown Bowling Green and the Western Kentucky University campus.
Great race!
I had absolutely no complaints about the BG26.2. These people know how to put on a race and everything was smooth! Great pasta dinner (included) at packet pick up. Parking … MORE
I had absolutely no complaints about the BG26.2. These people know how to put on a race and everything was smooth! Great pasta dinner (included) at packet pick up. Parking was free and easy. Nice swag with an extra shirt included. 5 year age group awards so better chance of winning since it is a smaller race! The only downside is the double loop course but I enjoyed it. WKU has a pretty campus and you run through downtown and some nice neighborhoods. I am happy with this race for my Kentucky marathon!
This is your Kentucky Marathon!
This was a great small town race. Scenery was great and volunteers and course support were amazing. Swag was awesome. It was a bit hilly, but if you like a … MORE
This was a great small town race. Scenery was great and volunteers and course support were amazing. Swag was awesome. It was a bit hilly, but if you like a challenging course that is also beautiful and well supported, this is your race. I even me the Race Director (she delivered my age group award personally) and there was a lot of thought and planning put into this race. I would 100% recommend this one! You will not be disappointed.
Awesome fun race with SWAG
The Pre-packet pickup was well organized, also there was a great pasta dinner , plenty of parking , Race day was also well organized , started on time, plenty of … MORE
The Pre-packet pickup was well organized, also there was a great pasta dinner , plenty of parking , Race day was also well organized , started on time, plenty of volunteers, crowd support was great throughout all races , plenty of water stops , water stops with food, race finish there were chocolate milk, water , bananas, also longhorn steak house and Star bucks supplied food and coffee. Great race overall .
Great race! Great swag!
Thus race did not disappoint. From a smooth packet pickup with a pasta dinner to the course where I was able see various neighborhood areas, beautiful churches and a park. … MORE
Thus race did not disappoint. From a smooth packet pickup with a pasta dinner to the course where I was able see various neighborhood areas, beautiful churches and a park. The course was a great mixture of flats, and hills! I enjoyed it. Thanks KY, you owe me Nothing!!! 👍🏾👌🏾
Double loop with the Hilltoppers
The marathon has gotten better every year. The production team is excellent yet still personable. The course is a double loop, and the start is a giant hill all the … MORE
The marathon has gotten better every year. The production team is excellent yet still personable.
The course is a double loop, and the start is a giant hill all the way to the top of the WKU campus. The roads cross back and forth up and down those hills several times before running out into Bowling Green. Definitely want to be trained for hills for this race.
Course support is great – I always love to see the Pirates who hand out watermelon near the 6 mile point. argh.
Race swag is always over the top, with extra t-shirts and items every year.