Heart of America Marathon
Heart of America Marathon race day weather
Warm start, rising temps ahead
Runners will face a starting temperature of 70°F, climbing to a maximum of 85°F by the finish. Winds from the ESE at 10 mph will create light headwinds and tailwinds throughout, but should not significantly impact performance. With humidity averaging 63%, it is advisable to start conservatively and increase hydration frequency as temperatures rise, especially in the later laps.
Pace Calculator
Enter a finish time to see what race day does to it.
Get forecast alerts for Heart of America Marathon
We'll text or email you when the forecast shifts — so you can adjust gear, pacing, and strategy. Max one per day.
Heart of America Marathon route and elevation
The Heart of America Marathon course has about 1,336 ft (407 m) of climbing and 1,340 ft (408 m) of descent, and finishes near the elevation it starts. It is hillier than 87% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. The hardest mile is mile 8, with 158 ft (48 m) of climbing and a 2.8% average grade.
Biggest climbs
- Miles 7.1 to 8.1: climbs about 175 ft (53 m).
- Miles 11.7 to 13.4: climbs about 230 ft (71 m).
- Miles 17.4 to 19: climbs about 100 ft (30 m).
What the hills cost
- 3:30 on a flat course is about 3:33 here (3 minutes slower).
- 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:03 here (3 minutes slower).
- 4:30 on a flat course is about 4:34 here (4 minutes slower).
Hills only, priced mile by mile on the course map. The pace calculator above adds the race-day weather.
Even-effort splits for a 3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 finish
| Mile | Climb | Descent | 3:30 | 4:00 | 4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 71 ft | 49 ft | 8:05 | 9:14 | 10:24 |
| 2 | 7 ft | 57 ft | 7:44 | 8:50 | 9:56 |
| 3 | 23 ft | 46 ft | 7:49 | 8:57 | 10:03 |
| 4 | 67 ft | 38 ft | 8:09 | 9:19 | 10:29 |
| 5 | 43 ft | 52 ft | 7:53 | 9:00 | 10:08 |
| 6 | 12 ft | 141 ft | 7:28 | 8:32 | 9:36 |
| 7 | 34 ft | 58 ft | 7:48 | 8:55 | 10:02 |
| 8 | 158 ft | 8 ft | 9:13 | 10:32 | 11:51 |
| 9 | 22 ft | 64 ft | 7:45 | 8:52 | 9:58 |
| 10 | 41 ft | 48 ft | 7:53 | 9:00 | 10:08 |
| 11 | 18 ft | 150 ft | 7:27 | 8:31 | 9:35 |
| 12 | 118 ft | 108 ft | 8:00 | 9:09 | 10:17 |
| 13 | 174 ft | 29 ft | 9:10 | 10:28 | 11:47 |
| 14 | 116 ft | 79 ft | 8:13 | 9:24 | 10:34 |
| 15 | 78 ft | 76 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:12 |
| 16 | 49 ft | 32 ft | 8:03 | 9:12 | 10:21 |
| 17 | 49 ft | 48 ft | 7:56 | 9:03 | 10:11 |
| 18 | 63 ft | 69 ft | 7:53 | 9:01 | 10:08 |
| 19 | 65 ft | 19 ft | 8:18 | 9:29 | 10:41 |
| 20 | 25 ft | 39 ft | 7:51 | 8:59 | 10:06 |
| 21 | 29 ft | 72 ft | 7:45 | 8:51 | 9:58 |
| 22 | 75 ft | 40 ft | 8:12 | 9:22 | 10:32 |
| 23 | 17 ft | 48 ft | 7:47 | 8:54 | 10:01 |
| 24 | 47 ft | 32 ft | 8:02 | 9:11 | 10:20 |
| 25 | 44 ft | 29 ft | 8:02 | 9:11 | 10:20 |
| 26 | 56 ft | 55 ft | 7:56 | 9:03 | 10:11 |
| Last 0.2 | 2 ft | 17 ft | 1:42 | 1:57 | 2:11 |
Explore the Heart of America Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.
About the Heart of America Marathon
The Heart of America Marathon, established in 1960, is the second-oldest continuously running marathon in the United States. This challenging race features a 26.2-mile course that begins and ends at the Boone County History and Culture Center in Columbia, Missouri. Runners navigate approximately 5.5 miles of well-maintained gravel roads and trails, including the scenic Katy Trail along the Missouri River, and face the renowned Easley Hill. The event is known for its community-focused, low-frills atmosphere, emphasizing heat, hills, and humidity as integral parts of the race experience.
