Heart of America Marathon Training Runs

Training for the Heart of America Marathon or Team Relay? Or just looking for a supported long run with a great group? Join the Columbia Track Club for two free training runs this August!

Training Run Dates

• Saturday, July 25, 2026 – Approximately 14.4 miles
• Saturday, August 15, 2026 – Approximately 17.2 miles

These supported runs are open to everyone, whether you're training for the Heart of America Marathon, the Team Relay, or simply want to enjoy a long run with friends.

Please register in advance through RunSignUp, as all participants must sign a waiver before participating.

Heart of America 14.4 -Mile Training Run (July 25)

Start Location
Boone County History & Culture Center
3801 Ponderosa St.
Columbia, MO 65201

Meet: Parking lot along Ponderosa next to the Boone County History & Culture Center

Parking
Please park in the lot south of the building along Ponderosa, not directly in front of the History & Culture Center. The Center doesn't open until 11:00 a.m., so there should be plenty of parking available.

Route Overview
We'll begin at the Heart of America Marathon start line and follow the course to approximately Mile 4 at Rock Bridge Elementary School. From there, we'll turn left onto Highway 163 and run about 2.5 miles of the former HOA Marathon course before turning left at Pierpont to rejoin the current course. We'll then complete the final 8 miles of the marathon course, finishing back at the Boone County History & Culture Center.

Distance Options

• Want more mileage? Add extra miles after the run.
• Looking for a shorter run? Skip going out to and around Philips Lake to shorten the route.

Water Stations
Coolers with bottled water will be available at approximately:

• Mile 4.0: Rock Bridge Elementary
• Mile 8.0: Shooting Star Trailhead
• Mile 10.3: Tolton High School
• Mile 12.9: Tolton High School
  
  

You're also welcome/encouraged to carry your own hydration and nutrition.

Navigation
The course will not be marked. Please bring the route on your smartphone or print the directions ahead of time. Running with a partner is recommended if you're unfamiliar with the course.

Route Map & GPX
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4488539002

Course Directions

Roundabouts

With the exception of the first roundabout on Ponderosa, all roundabouts are run the same way:

• Enter the sidewalk on the left (clockwise).
• Stay on the sidewalk.
• Use pedestrian crosswalks.
• Do not run in the roadway.
• Do not cut through the center of the roundabout.
• Do not run counterclockwise around any roundabout except the first one.

Turn-by-Turn Directions

• Start at the Boone County History & Culture Center parking lot near the playground.
• Exit the parking lot and turn right on Ponderosa.
• Circle the first roundabout counterclockwise and return to Ponderosa.
• Turn left onto E. Nifong Blvd. (no shoulder—use caution and run single file).
• Turn left onto State Farm Parkway. Stay on the east (left) sidewalk.
• Continue through the roundabout using sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.
• Continue onto Veterans Parkway sidewalk.
• Turn left onto S. Providence Road (bike lane).
• At Rock Bridge Elementary, turn left onto Highway 163.
• Turn left at Pierpont/Highway 163 (approximately Mile 6.6).
• Turn left onto E. Bonne Femme Church Road (gravel). You'll pass Shooting Star Trailhead.
• Turn left onto S. Gans Creek Road (gravel).
• Turn left onto E. Gans Road.
• Continue left to remain on E. Gans Road, using the sidewalk past the Conservation Office.
• Cross at the Conservation Office to the north-side sidewalk.
• Turn right onto Bristol Lake Parkway and stay on the sidewalk toward Philips Lake.
• Turn right into the Philips Lake parking lot.
• Run the lake trail counterclockwise, entering trail on the right
• Exit the lake trail and turn left onto Bristol Lake Parkway, staying on the left side of the road.
• Turn left onto E. Gans Road and return to the sidewalk.
• Continue as E. Gans becomes Discovery Parkway.
• Turn left onto Endeavor.
• Stay left on sidewalk and use ped crossing at roundabout 
• Right on Nocona and stay on sidewalk to next roundabout
• Turn left onto Ponderosa and stay on sidewalk to next roundabout
• When the sidewalk ends, stay on the left side of the road, passing Green Light Dispensary.
• Turn left into the first Nifong Park entrance
• Enter the trail.
• Finish at Gordon Cabin, with the Easley Store just ahead.

Heart of America - 17 Mile Training Run (August 15)

Start Location

Devil's Icebox Parking Lot
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
GPS: 38°52'24.1"N 92°19'32.2"W

We'll run a loop that includes part of the former Heart of America Marathon course and finishes back at the Devil's Icebox parking lot. Afterward, cool off by exploring the nearby natural rock tunnel.

Water Stations
Feel free to carry your own hydration, but bottled water will be available at four self-serve water stations (look for coolers):

• ~3.1 miles: Route K & S Hill Creek Road
• ~6.6 miles: Near Smith Hatchery Road and Dothage
• ~10.5 miles: Bottom of Easley Hill
• ~13.5 miles: Left side of the road in a grassy driveway

Navigation
The course will not be marked, so please bring the route on your smartphone or print the directions if you're unfamiliar with the course.

Route Map & GPX
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2572205905

Turn-by-Turn Directions

• Start at the Devil's Icebox parking lot in Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.
• Turn left onto Route K.
• Follow Providence Road/Route K to Old Plank Road.
• Turn left onto Old Plank Road South.
• Continue to Smith Hatchery Road.
• Follow Smith Hatchery Road to Cooper's Landing.
• Just past Cooper's Landing, join the Katy Trail. Do not continue on River Road.
• Stay on the Katy Trail until it intersects River Road. Stay left. Do not cross the road or continue on the trail.
• Turn left onto Missouri Route N... also known as Easley Hill. Go up... and up... and up!
• Follow Route N to Pierpont.
• At Pierpont, turn left onto Highway 163 to complete the loop back to Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.

Don't Forget!

Registration is open for the Heart of America Marathon & Relay. Volunteers are always appreciated!

http://heartofamericamarathon.com