- Weather
- 30°Ftypical startModelled estimate
- Field size
- ~1,000 runners
- Course
- Rolling
- Elevation
- 600 ft gain · 0 ft net
Event: Omaha Costco Marathon
PR7Weather8Experience7
Early September · Midwest · Loop
Heart of America Marathon & Relay
Columbia, MO · Monday, September 7, 2026
Event listed as: Marathon
Registration opens on the organizer's site
Typical start
61°
Cooler than 5% of U.S. marathons
Modeled historical conditions
Elevation gain
800ft
Flatter than 15% of races
Estimated total climb
Field size
300
Larger than 0% of races
Estimated field
PR potential
6.5/10
Ahead of 18% of races
Almanac model
Percentiles compare this race against all 224 U.S. marathons in the Almanac.
Course profile
800 ft gain · 0 ft net
Rolling course, loop.
0510152026.2
Race-day weather
Modeled from location, month and coastal proximity, not verified race history.
6 AM
53°
Start
61°
Midday
71°
ExcellentGoodWarmHeat risk
Typical start sits at 61°F, warm for racing.
Typical dew point 54°F, 22% chance of precipitation, wind around 10 mph. All modeled.
The bottom line
A small race that trades atmosphere for room to run.
Heart of America Marathon & Relay is a strong choice for a first marathon, and the course rolls gently without any sustained climbing. The tradeoff is atmosphere: expect long quiet stretches and few spectators.
Why runners choose this race
A loop course around Columbia, MO, with steady rollers that reward even pacing.
The case for it
- Runners who want a low-key start
The tradeoffs
- You want crowds and on-course energy
Course and logistics
- Course type
- Loop
- Surface
- Road
- Profile
- Rolling
- Total gain
- 800 ft(estimated)
- Total loss
- 800 ft(estimated)
- Net elevation
- 0 ft(estimated)
- Field size
- ~300 runners(estimated)
- Crowd support
- Quiet, low-key
- Entry
- Easy
- Entry fee
- $75(most recent listed price)
- Day of week
- Monday
- Start / finish
- Start and finish in the same area
Race details
- Typical timing
- Early September
- Next confirmed date
- Monday, September 7, 2026
- Registration
- Open now
- Region
- Midwest
- Editorial tier
- Recommended
- Data last reviewed
- 2026-08-26
- Loop course
- Easy entry
Similar races
Races with a comparable profile.
- Weather
- 58°Ftypical startModelled estimate
- Field size
- ~400 runners
- Course
- Rolling
- Elevation
- 600 ft gain · 0 ft net
Event: Paavo Nurmi Marathon
PR7Weather8Experience6
- Weather
- 55°Ftypical startModelled estimate
- Field size
- ~600 runners
- Course
- Rolling
- Elevation
- 400 ft gain · 0 ft net
Event listed as: Single Race: Full Marathon
PR7Weather9Experience6