Lincoln Marathon & Half Marathon
Lincoln, NE
- Marathon, Half Marathon, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Lincoln Marathon and Half-Marathon is run on a citywide course. Tackle the 26.2 mile course, beginning on the campus of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, running through a vast portion of the city, and ending at the Champions Club. Or join thousands of fellow runners on the 13.1 … MORE
Local Historical Weather (May 02):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 70 | 60 | 69 | 68 | 47 |
| L (°F) | 30 | 47 | 49 | 38 | 40 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Great crowd support
Nice and easy course, could PR, lots of great crowd support. Not enough snacks on course provided by marathon but several good spots by spectators. MORE
Nice and easy course, could PR, lots of great crowd support. Not enough snacks on course provided by marathon but several good spots by spectators.
There is no place like Nebraska!
My husband and I ran this race in our quest for our 50 states. Not only did we enjoy the state capital of Nebraska, the state capital was lovely to … MORE
My husband and I ran this race in our quest for our 50 states. Not only did we enjoy the state capital of Nebraska, the state capital was lovely to visit. I was surprised that there were some hills, but a lot of down hills made up for it so it ended up being equal. I feel like there was a lot of aid stations, which was nice. I did not run this race hard effort but to help pace a friend. I love the t-shirt too! Such a cool design! and the medals were huge!!
Nice Nebraska
The Lincoln Half Marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska is an awesome race! It is huge with great energy, well-organized, and the crowd support is exceptional. The course is great, a scenic … MORE
The Lincoln Half Marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska is an awesome race! It is huge with great energy, well-organized, and the crowd support is exceptional. The course is great, a scenic tour of campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. The Capitol building is beautiful! I couldn’t believe how many people cheered for me using my name, great aid stations and crowd support along the entire course. The logistics are easy. The finish line festivities were fun with live music and plenty of food. Quick turnaround on great free race photography. Lincoln knows how to put on a race, I was very impressed!
Love a Lincoln race!
A solid race that’s well produced, good course, great spectator support. I like combining this spring race with the Good Life Halfsy in the fall to also earn the Capital … MORE
A solid race that’s well produced, good course, great spectator support. I like combining this spring race with the Good Life Halfsy in the fall to also earn the Capital City Challenge medal for completing both in the same year. This race starts and finishes on the UNL campus near the football stadium and includes a run past the capitol building. Definitely a race worth repeating!
New benchmark for a well run race
The clear communication in this race was excellent. It was always clear where to go and what to do. The crowds were great and the food after was plenty! Tons … MORE
The clear communication in this race was excellent. It was always clear where to go and what to do. The crowds were great and the food after was plenty! Tons of porta potty’s and water. Water stations were big enough that you could finish one cup and grab another. Some light hills, but they felt like baby hills after Sedona.
Well done, lots of spectator support
Cool medal, lots of spectator support, ample aid stations, well organized. Additional medal (Capital City Challenge) if you complete the Lincoln full or half in the spring AND the Good … MORE
Cool medal, lots of spectator support, ample aid stations, well organized. Additional medal (Capital City Challenge) if you complete the Lincoln full or half in the spring AND the Good Life Halfsy in the fall.
Great choice for Nebraska
Had a nice time running in Lincoln and visiting over the weekend. As others have commented, the event was well organized and supported. Course was not overly challenging and offered … MORE
Had a nice time running in Lincoln and visiting over the weekend. As others have commented, the event was well organized and supported. Course was not overly challenging and offered a good mix of scenery in and around the town. My performance suffered from GI issues which was likely self inflicted. On the whole I had a great time and thought it was a convenient weekend traveling through Omaha.
Pros: good support, easier course, unique medal, good course marking
Cons: Occasionally very narrow roads/ paths. Way more half marathoners slowing down opening miles. Almost whole course is full sun / no shade.
Great Race for Nebraska
This is an awesome race. Packet pickup was easy. You get emailed a link to find your bib number the week prior. You then go to that bib number section … MORE
This is an awesome race.
Packet pickup was easy. You get emailed a link to find your bib number the week prior. You then go to that bib number section and pick up your bib and shirt.
Expo was small and simple.
The race was about 7000 runners, half and full marathon combined. They had everyone in chutes 3 minutes apart. This made the start much better and less congested.
You start with Memorial Stadium behind you and run through the University of Nebraska campus. But the campus is surprisingly small, and you’re out of it well before your first mile.
You run alongside downtown and pass the Nebraska state capitol building before entering a bunch of nice neighborhoods and parks.
The course is a large loop. Once you begin to make your way back, you get on a wide greenway or bike trail for about a 5k. This winds through another larger park. It let’s you out onto a road that takes you the last two miles back to the football stadium, where you finish on the outside.
There was a massive amount of spectators! The water/gatorade stations were huge. They were so big, that I would grab a cup of water, take two drinks, find a trash can and throw it away (mind you not slowing down for any of this) and still not be past all of the water and gatorade tables and volunteers.
I remember 3 hills big enough to call hills. But they weren’t anything that would talk about after the race. But 99% of the race is flat and fast.
Post race party was large. Snacks, pizza, donut holes.
The only issue (and this was probably our mistake) was accessibility for family at the finish line. My brother was watchng from the west side of the race (facing the stadium). The half marathoners turned off the road into the stadium parking lot while the full runners kept going. So the road was closed off. So for people watching on the wrong side of the road, they weren’t able to get to the post race party. So you have to plan ahead and come from the campus side, which makes parking a bit more interesting.
Side note. There is a walking bridge that leaves the stadium and heads north and goes over some train tracks. On the other side, a block to the left is an old elementary school that has been converted into condos. There are Airbnbs in there which was perfect for race day.
This is a great race to get Nebraska with.
Uphill loop
I don't know how that happens but that is sure how it felt. You earn this race. I do a lot of hill work. I do steep hills all the … MORE
I don’t know how that happens but that is sure how it felt. You earn this race. I do a lot of hill work. I do steep hills all the time. These weren’t steep but they seemed like there was just always a 2-degree incline for miles at a time. Aid stations came a little over three miles in which was odd to me, but there were plenty of unofficial aid stations later in the race. Thank you to everyone, especially the amazing lady who did the shot with me: I needed that at that point more than I can express, thank you.
The Army National Guard is out in full force, bringing some bands and a whole lot of energy to keep races pumped up. The chute at the end had Soldiers yelling for everybody like it was the last quarter mile at Boston. Good on them.
The medal was a giant penny-designed medal and is a very nice high gloss medal. It worked really well. The t-shirt is a nice warm cotton T. The unofficial support on this course was amazing and the crowd support was pervasive and energetic. So many times I got pumped up to dig a little deeper that I’m now adding Lincoln to my list of places to race again. Great job to everyone responsible for this race.
Very well run Lincoln Marathon
The Lincoln Track Club organizes this very well run marathon. Cool thing about this marathon/half marathon is there are several National Guard men and women rucking it and they start … MORE
The Lincoln Track Club organizes this very well run marathon. Cool thing about this marathon/half marathon is there are several National Guard men and women rucking it and they start 5 minutes, along with the wheelchair athletes, before all the other runners. It was great seeing them throughout the first half of the marathon. The first half of the full marathon is the half marathon course which is basically a loop course and then the second half of the marathon is an out and back with a pretty good hill to climb around mile 19. Only about 600’ of elevation gain in this marathon, so it can be a pretty fast course if that’s what you’re looking for.
Community support
The spectators lining the course and cheering for the entire half marathon is what makes this race special! Every turn, every hill, they give you the energy you need. Also … MORE
The spectators lining the course and cheering for the entire half marathon is what makes this race special! Every turn, every hill, they give you the energy you need. Also great post-race atmosphere and amenities. Love this race!
Paced this race and nailed my time
Great wx for the race. It was a large race so they started in waves which was smart. Good course support and crowds throughout. Small upgrades which made for a … MORE
Great wx for the race. It was a large race so they started in waves which was smart. Good course support and crowds throughout. Small upgrades which made for a easy, hassle free run. Kinda in the middle of nowhere, but worth the trip.
Good!
This was my 8th full marathon, and it was great. They keep you informed and if there are any questions, the "staff" are there to answer anything. A decent expo, … MORE
This was my 8th full marathon, and it was great. They keep you informed and if there are any questions, the “staff” are there to answer anything. A decent expo, smaller then previous years. The first half of the race is good, lots of spectators and then you hit the split. You turn right to finish the half, and you go straight to finish the full. It is sad to see a HUGE majority of runners single off and finish the half. Hardly any spectators for the marathon runners. The second half of the race, there is hardly any shade, so it does get hot, be prepared for that. A few small hills here and there, but overall a decent course. The water station volunteers were awesome. Cheering you on as you walk through their station, which helps if you are one who is a back of the packer.
The NE Race to Run
The Lincoln Marathon is a great choice for your NE marathon. The entire production is well-run with great communication from registration to post-race. The course includes one long descent and … MORE
The Lincoln Marathon is a great choice for your NE marathon. The entire production is well-run with great communication from registration to post-race.
The course includes one long descent and several longer ascents. The out and back of the second half is the hardest mental challenge. If your conserve your energy in the first 10 miles, the ‘underpass hills’ on the trail path is manageable.
The weather was perfect in 2024. Be prepared for sun exposure for most of the course though. I carry by own hydration, but it seemed like some of the aid stations were quite spread out. All the spectators and volunteers were helpful and excited to support. The wet sponges at the turnaround were clutch.
Lincoln puts on a fantastic event!
The half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska is a wonderful race! The crowd support all along the course is fantastic! The volunteers at the aid stations, finish line, and race expo … MORE
The half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska is a wonderful race! The crowd support all along the course is fantastic! The volunteers at the aid stations, finish line, and race expo were all happy and supportive. This is a very well-organized event that takes runners through a nice route through Lincoln. There are just a few small inclines, giving runners a chance to go for a PR. The finisher medal was great. You can tell that the people of Lincoln really love their marathon! The race poster was hilarious: Photo of President Lincoln with full beard, and half beard representing the full and half marathons. I only ran the half, but I loved the motto for the full marathon: “1 Score and 6.2 Miles”
Best Choice for Nebraska
The volunteers were the best part! You have the option of putting your name on your race bib. Do it!!! They shout words of encouragement as you run through aide … MORE
The volunteers were the best part! You have the option of putting your name on your race bib. Do it!!! They shout words of encouragement as you run through aide stations. It seemed more hilly than advertised, rolling hills, but nothing not doable. It was actually a great course. We had great weather so that helped. The aide stations all have water and Gatorade. After the halfers split off they have Gu at most stations. Sometimes they are just on the table so you have to look for them.
All of the downtown hotels are within walking distance. It’s worth it because driving downtown is a nightmare. There was lots of construction so I’m sure that contributed.
Well Organized, Fun Race
The packet pickup process was super smooth. The expo was crowded with too many booths, but some good, quality booths so I’m glad they were there. There were so many … MORE
The packet pickup process was super smooth. The expo was crowded with too many booths, but some good, quality booths so I’m glad they were there. There were so many port-a-potties so there were very short lines. Crowd support along the course was hit and miss. Overall a fun race that I would recommend. Nothing to complain about!
Great support from the community
The weather was pretty humid that day. The community really gathered together to support the runners. I really enjoyed the race with all the music and supporters along the course. MORE
The weather was pretty humid that day. The community really gathered together to support the runners. I really enjoyed the race with all the music and supporters along the course.
Hometown race
Great expo, great route for the half marathon with awesome volunteers at the aid stations, as well as a lot of community members along the route also handing out water, … MORE
Great expo, great route for the half marathon with awesome volunteers at the aid stations, as well as a lot of community members along the route also handing out water, ice, snacks, etc. A great race!
A-Okay
The expo was medium sized, easy to maneuver in and out of, but large enough to get any supplies that you may have forgotten, or some new running swag. Parking … MORE
The expo was medium sized, easy to maneuver in and out of, but large enough to get any supplies that you may have forgotten, or some new running swag. Parking for both the expo and race start was relatively easy, street parking (parking is free on Sundays) or nearby parking garages. There were quite a few pot-a-pots at the start, but still seemed to be long lines, get in line early. For the most part I think the course was flat with a few long inclines. The first half of the course took us through some nice neighborhoods where many residents came out to cheer on the runners. The second half was a longer out-and-back with very little shade. Traffic seemed to be flowing the entire time, but they kept us separated and highly police monitored, especially at the crossroads. Major props to the Lincoln Police Dept for taking extra measures to make sure all runners were safe from start to finish. Also, the aide stations and volunteers were wonderful, and well prepared for the high temps. The swag was pretty good, no complaints (shirt, medal and finisher food), was good but nothing to brag about.