The Veterans Marathon is held in Columbia City, IN typically on the Saturday following Veterans Day (the 2015 race will be held the following weekend due to how early Veterans Day is and the Monumental Marathon in Indianapolis is held on the first Saturday in November every year). This is a great opportunity to get you Marathon Maniac status without traveling far if you live in Indiana.this is a smaller race. Marathon had 171 finishers, half marathon was around 330 finishers, and the 5k had 137 finishers.
The race starts and finishes by the very picturesque county courthouse in downtown. City hall also has a very large flag hanging from its roof by the finish line. The race starts in dramatic fashion, by firing off a cannon and the half and full marathon are under way.
The first mile or so is straight out of town, no turns. Miles 2-12 are in the country. The disadvantage of this is that there is nothing to block the wind. It just all depends on which way the wind is blowing on race day.
The country also provides some rolling hills, nothing major, just enough to keep you humble and honest. With this race being on the smaller size, you do find yourself running alone often as well. The aid stations are very well staffed and the drink of choice is water and Gatorade. The finish makes its way back into down town and finishes by the courthouse.
They do give out nice finishers medals, in the shape of the great state of Indiana and each year they represent a different branch of the military.
All marathon and half marathon runners received a nice New Balance Jacket instead of a race shirt. Nice way to change it up. 5k runners received a tech shirt.
This race is resonanly priced with proceeds going to a different veteran charity every year. A nice little touch that the race does is before the start, they ask every veteran who is racing, to step forward to be recognized.
This is a smaller race. If it's large crowds you want either running or lining the course, find another race. This is not a race for you. If you are looking for a good quality run race, nice swag, and helping a great cause. I recommend the Veterans Marathon. I will be back for 2015 on November 14