Soldier Marathon and Half Marathon
Columbus, GA
- Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
2019 will be the final running of the Soldier Marathon. The course is a 26.2 mile course that starts and finishes at the National Infantry Museum. The start line and finish line are on the Avenue of Flags along the east side of the National Infantry Museum. The first 7.5 … MORE
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Good race
Race is mostly asphalt and cement. Plenty of water/aid stops. Mile markers at each mile. Indoor restroomsat beginning of race. Nice opening ceremony including canon. Issue wit male shirts, they … MORE
Race is mostly asphalt and cement. Plenty of water/aid stops. Mile markers at each mile. Indoor restroomsat beginning of race. Nice opening ceremony including canon. Issue wit male shirts, they will be mailed. No drill sergeants on the hill this year. Good refreshments afterwards. Results posted day of race.
A good PR course
I am trying to run all the military races, and this one was a pleasant surprise. If you want a GA race, this would be an excellent one to run … MORE
I am trying to run all the military races, and this one was a pleasant surprise. If you want a GA race, this would be an excellent one to run as its in November, so weather is nice.
This would be a great PR or BQ course as its pretty darn flat with only 1 notable hill about mile 3 or 4.
There is very little fan support along the course but its pretty and varied course, with vistas over the river, several different bridges to cross, a small stretch into Phenix City, AL, and several miles through the old part of Ft Benning (which isn’t all that interesting to be honest) and you aren’t bored. There is a long stretch following the Chattahoochee River, I sang Dueling Banjos in my head for a lot of the run (which was entertaining for me, LOL!). The most fun part for me was the Drill Instructors at mile 3 yelling at all the runners as if they were in Basic Training and passing out mean high fives. Those guys had to have sore throats by the end of the day. One con: On both the out and back you run past the water treatment plant, so it can be pretty stinky. My advice: PR that mile and get out of there fast.
This is not an official Army race, as the local running club puts it on, but Ft Benning supports the race as well as the National Infantry Museum. If you are into Military History (which I am not), take some time to tour the museum. Its really well done and entry is included with your registration. I was impressed.
i ran this 3 weeks after I ran Marine Corps and I found this to be a much better production. Civil War Cannon is the start gun, and you can actually see it go off. A run through a corridor of flags at the start and finish, water tables were stocked and frequent. A large and pretty medal with dog tags over a field of stars and stripes. Run with a Fallen Hero (free), you get a poster and shirt with your entry as well as museum entry and post race massages and tons of food. Soldiers are at the finish to put the medal around your neck.
Nice race and swag
Starts off with cannon shooting off. Indoor restrooms available at start/finish and porta pots along the route. Nice technical shirt, medal and choice of hat or visor. Race mostly on … MORE
Starts off with cannon shooting off. Indoor restrooms available at start/finish and porta pots along the route. Nice technical shirt, medal and choice of hat or visor. Race mostly on asphalt roads – some with potholes. Plenty of water/gatorade/aid stations. Good refreshments after the race.
Love Soldier
This race is very well put on - from packet pick up to the after party. Southern GA so you never know what the weather will be though. Love the … MORE
This race is very well put on – from packet pick up to the after party. Southern GA so you never know what the weather will be though. Love the medal and shirt. Running through Fort Benning with the Did screaming always makes for a good time.
Good choice for Georgia
I was looking for a GA race for my 50 states quest and Soldier Marathon fit the bill. Leading up to race day, the weather was looming: storms and rain … MORE
I was looking for a GA race for my 50 states quest and Soldier Marathon fit the bill. Leading up to race day, the weather was looming: storms and rain combined with warm temps…gross! But, it held out. It was still warm and very muggy, but no rain, no storms, so no delay or cancellation.
I stayed at the hotel right next to the start/finish, which was awesome (Hampton Inn). Literally park for the night, walk to start/finish/expo. Everything takes place at the Infantry Museum, which is cool. I didn’t linger but got my bib and swag before returning to the hotel.
Race morning was smooth since I was so close to the start. They have the museum open, which was a very nice touch. There are portajohns outside plus bathrooms inside (tip: there are bathrooms upstairs too!). If you have the time, I highly recommend you walk upstairs to view the display on fallen soldiers. There are family and friends’ notes and memorials along with photos of the fallen heroes. Very emotional start to remember the men and women who lost their lives. One of the other unique things about this race is that you can run in honor of a fallen soldier. I picked up a bib with the soldier’s name and photo on it and pinned it on my back. You’re never alone when you run for someone else.
The course itself is okay. The beginning and end is cool, as you run down the avenue lined with flags. They also start you off with a cannon. The first six or so miles is on Ft Benning, which honestly is not that nice (I’m former military, I know how bases can be). But, there are some spectators and once you leave the base, it’s a good route. You run on a path, some of it goes by the river, there are some nice vistas, neat bridges, some cool parts of Columbus, and a few residential and commercial areas. On the bigger hills you have Army DI’s motivating you to get to the top, which is also fun and unique. It’s a varied enough course to not be boring or too hard on your legs (not too flat, not too hilly). You finish back where you started.
The medal in previous years, I believe, was a dog tag or set of dog tags. If you’ve ever been in the military, that’s not particularly exciting. But 2015’s medal was awesome – it still incorporated dog tags but was a solid, round medal with the flag on it and the soldier logo.
Overall I’d recommend Solider Marathon to anyone looking for a good GA race or just a good marathon in general. It was well organized and I enjoyed it, especially since the weather held out for us. That same weekend they were holding R&R Savannah which got shut down due to heat/humidity, so I felt pretty fortunate!
Soldier Support was Inspiring!
Check-in at the Museum was nice, but plan extra time to be able to check it out! I was unable to. Starting out running through the flags was energizing. There … MORE
Check-in at the Museum was nice, but plan extra time to be able to check it out! I was unable to. Starting out running through the flags was energizing. There was so much history along the way. The first half was on base and the soldiers were really supportive. One big hill in first two miles, but the soldiers got you up that. Next hill had water part way up so it was easy to allow yourself to walk it! Pretty flat after that! Once you left base, you ran along the Chattahoochee River. There was a lot of activity to focus on like ROTC drill competition, zip liners, people out on the river and in the parks. I felt like the first part of the second half was slightly downhill (but basically flat) so was prepared for a slight incline when we crossed to other side of river to head back, but that felt downhill too, so it must have been pretty flat. It got hot, but plenty of water and support on course. Dog tag medals were really cool!! Shirt was super small I had an XL and don’t think a 6 year old could fit into it! Traveled with my sisters and my friend who was doing her 50th state, so her husband and other friends were around!! I would definitely do again!! Solid Event without all the glitz and glamour!
One sweet event with a few growing pains
There's a lot to like about this event. The run takes you through Ft. Benning, up Drill Hill (with real Drill Sergeants "encouraging" you to the top) in and around … MORE
There’s a lot to like about this event. The run takes you through Ft. Benning, up Drill Hill (with real Drill Sergeants “encouraging” you to the top) in and around Columbus, Georgia with a dip into Phenix City, Alabama, many miles along the Riverwalk and the Chattahoochie River and their Fallen Heros program. Lovely views, well stocked aid stations and great swag. I plan on returning.
There were two small issues which appeared to be the result of the rapid growth in participation. (1) you could only enter the start area from the front, so as we lined up to prepare to start, slower runners had to funnel up through the middle of the pack causing quite a jam. The fix is simple….they just need to allow access to the starting area from along the sides of the chute. (2) post race refreshments were limited for vegetarians and vegans.
I spoke to their very interested RD and I believe these issues will be addressed in the 2015 race.