Veterans Marathon and Heroes 5K

The Bird Family is proud to continue the tradition of the 17th Annual Veterans Marathon, a superb event honoring our nation’s Veterans.
Located in the heart of northeast Indiana, Columbia City is a small-town community with true Hoosier values. It’s a community rooted in its agricultural heritage, strengthened by its commercial and residential development, and proud of its hometown heroes.

In honor of those servicemen and servicewomen throughout nation, We present the 17th Annual Veterans Marathon, Half-Marathon and Heroes 5K on November 8th, 2025. Located in Northeast Indiana. We can promise that flags will be waving at the start, a gently rolling countryside course, and a race experience you will always remember. The Veterans Marathon will be honoring the Space Force for its 17th running of the race, the Heroes 5k will be honoring the Columbia City Fire Department for 2025. The AMVETS post 2919 out of South Whitley, Indiana will be the recipient of 50% of the Veterans Marathon profits, 25% will be donated to the Columbia City Fire Department.

Start time:
8:00 am Eastern Standard Time for the Marathon
8:00 am Eastern Standard Time for the Half-Marathon
8:15 am Eastern Standard Time for the Heroes 5k

End time:
The half-marathon course closes at 2:00 pm, the full marathon course closes at 2:00 pm

Marathon ( 2 Loops)  USATF Certification #:IN17015TDK.
Half Marathon USATF Certification #:IN17014TDK. 

Heroes 5k course will close by 10:00 am

The Heroes 5k has a 3 person team challenge where the total time of a team is added together to compete with other teams for a unique "Hero-based" award.
Below is our past winning teams:
2020 - HHS Patriots 58:24
2021 - RCC Timing 54:39
2022 - Team DIZ 56:19
2023 - Concord 3 Musketeers 54:31* Team Record
2024 - Blister Sisters 1:26:45

Post-Race:
All post race festivities will take place in the Clugston at the Finish line, this is directly across from the courthouse and the finish line on Chauncey Street.

Hot Soup donated by Columbia City's Elks Lodge # 1417 and the Local VFW post 5582, will be available to all participants free of charge post race as well as other refreshments.
Soups available: Chicken Noodle, Vegetarian Vegetable, Chili

Unique Awards that are made right here in Indiana using limestone mined from Bloomington, Indiana will be up for grabs to the Top 2 in each division. Awards will be available for pick up at their respective times post race at the awards table in the Clugston.