FAQs
09-22-2024
Registration & Training
Please check the registration page for current pricing. Prices increase as we get closer to the event. Register early for the best rates.
Yes. We have three great ways to save!
- Military Discount: We offer a 15% discount for active and retired military. Contact Us to request the discount code.
- ORC Member Discount: Omaha Running Club members receive a 15% discount on the Heartland Marathon and several other ORC events. Contact Us to request your discount code or consult your membership info. Become a member starting at just $20!
- Earn a Free Race Registration: Our Special Volunteer Opportunities allow you to earn a free race registration. Learn more.
Our Special Volunteer Opportunities allow you to earn a free race registration. Learn more.
Online registration is open. Register early for the best rate.
Registered runners receive a Heartland Marathon shirt, finisher's medal, branded arm sleeves and post-race refreshments. All events are chip-timed.
Yes. Omaha Running Club members receive a 15% discount on the Heartland Marathon and several other ORC events. Contact Us to request your discount code or consult your membership info. Become a member starting at just $20!
Yes. The Heartland Marathon helps support the Omaha running community through the efforts of the Omaha Running Club. Additionally, the Heartland Marathon has selected the Omaha Police Foundation and the Council Bluffs Police Department as our Charity Partners.
Yes. The Heartland Marathon is a USA Track and Field certified event allowing participants the opportunity to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
- Full Marathon: NE24003GM
- Half Marathon: NE24001GM
- 10K: NE24002GM
Yes. There is a six-hour time limit for the Marathon. The course will close at 1 p.m. Participants must maintain a 13:44 minute per mile pace (approximately) or faster, completing the full marathon distance—start line to finish line—within the event time requirement. Those who finish outside of the time limit will not be recorded as official finishers and may not receive full on-course support from aid stations and traffic safety personnel. This is necessary as traffic personnel will open crossings based on this time schedule.
The Heartland Marathon allows you to change entries if you drop down in distance at no additional charge. Prior to the race, please contact us at heartlandmarathon@gmail.com or stop by the registration table during Packet Pickup.
No. We love pets, but for the safety of the participants they are not allowed.
No. Baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards and rollerblades will not be permitted on the courses.
Yes. Pace time designees will be in the staging area at the starting line.
Yes. Heartland Marathon will provide chip timing for all participants. Results will be emailed to registered participants who have provided their email and posted on our site following the race.
Yes, ORC offers two training options -- a 20-week Marathon/Half Marathon Training Clinic and a women's only, 11-week program. Learn more.
Yes. Race Results will be available on Online Race Results.
Packet Pickup
Packet Pickup is on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market.
Location:
Courtyard Omaha Downtown/Old Market
101 South 10th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
41.259268, -95.928431
Hours:
Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 10 AM – 6 PM. You may have someone else pick up your packet for you. Individuals picking up will be asked to sign a form.
Procedures to pick up your packet:
- Your bib number along with instructions of how to wear your bib will come in an email from our timing company. The email address is alanhigley@hotmail.com. Please watch for it as it will contain further race information. If you don't have your bib number at packet pickup, we will have a place for you to look it up. You do not need to know it beforehand.
- Proceed to the pickup line for your event.
- Tell our volunteer your bib number and he/she will give you your bib and shirt. You will be given the size that you put on your registration form. NO EXCHANGES…sorry.
- Changes or corrections in your registration may be made at packet pickup.
Yes. You may pick up packets for others. Please make sure to let them know you are picking up their packet so there is no confusion or “lost” packets.
No. You do not need your ID.
Packet Pickup is on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market.
Procedures to pick up your packet:
- Your bib number along with instructions of how to wear your bib will come in an email from our timing company. The email address is alanhigley@hotmail.com. Please watch for it as it will contain further race information. If you don't have your bib number at packet pickup, we will have a place for you to look it up. You do not need to know it beforehand.
- Proceed to the pickup line for your event.
- Tell our volunteer your bib number and he/she will give you your bib and shirt. You will be given the size that you put on your registration form. NO EXCHANGES…sorry.
- Changes or corrections in your registration may be made at packet pickup.
Location:
Courtyard Omaha Downtown/Old Market
101 South 10th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
41.259268, -95.928431
Hours:
Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 10 AM – 6 PM. You may have someone else pick up your packet for you. Individuals picking up will be asked to sign a form.
Race Day
Yes please visit https://heartlandmarathon.org/participant-guide for the latest race information.
1155 Gallup Drive, Omaha, NE on the Omaha Riverfront
No. Packet Pickup is on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market, 101 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Finisher medals will be provided in the Finish Area. The Overall winners for each race will be announced according to the approximate schedule below. The Age Group awards will not be announced but will be available for pick-up at the awards table during the time periods listed below.
- 10K
- Announce Overall Winners – 9:00 a.m.
- Age Group Awards available for pickup – 9:00-9:30 a.m.
- Half Marathon
- Announce Overall Winners - 10:30 a.m.
- Age Group Awards available for pickup – 10:30-11:00 a.m.
- Marathon, Marathon Relay
- Announce Overall Winners – 12:00 p.m.
- Age Group Awards available for pickup – 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Yes. Download our race day app to access event logistics, relay information, live tracking and more. Visit the Google Play or Apple store and search for the official Precision Race Results app. Once downloaded, search for the Heartland Marathon event.
An instruction packet will be provided closer to the event.
Courtyard Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area
111 S. 10th Street
Omaha NE 68102
Ph. 402-246-2200
The events start at 1155 Gallup Drive, Omaha, NE on the Omaha Riverfront. A tentative schedule is listed below.
- 7:00 am – Start of the Marathon & Marathon Relay
- 7:20 am – Half-Marathon
- 7:40 am – 10k
- 1:00 pm - Course Closes
- Aid stations will be located on all courses approximately every 2.0-3.0 miles.
- All aid stations will have both GATORADE and WATER.
- Gatorade and water on the course will be supplied in 6 oz. cups. GU will be available for the Marathoners at approximately Mile 16.75.
- 12 oz. bottles of Gatorade and 16 oz. bottles of water will be available at the Finish, along with pizza, hot dogs, fruit, snacks, and cookies.
Bring signs, noisemakers, and positive energy to cheer on the runners. Follow all traffic laws. Do NOT stop in the middle of the road and impede traffic.
The Finish Area is located in a park setting near Miller’s Landing, next to the Missouri River. Spectators are welcome to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the park while they support the runners.
Due to the proximity of parking, gear check will not be offered.
Yes, there are pacers for both half and full marathons.
- Half – 1:30; 1:45; 2:00; 2:15; 2:30; 2:45; 3:00; 3:15
- Full – 3:30; 3:45; 4:00; 4:15; 4:30; 4:45; 5:00; 5:15; 5:30
Please note that the above pacers have presently volunteered to participate in the indicated events, but due to circumstances beyond our control, one or more pacers may not be present, and we may not be aware of that situation as late as race day.
Results are available online
Please visit this link to view race day photos.
No. Simply look for the pacer signs with your desired finish time in the staging area at the start line.
Parking will be available in designated lots at Miller's Landing, 151 Freedom Park Road, Omaha, NE, which is close to the start/finish area. Please look for signs identifying the designated parking areas.
Marathon Relay
Like a marathon, the marathon relay covers the 26.2 mile course. But instead of you running all of those miles by yourself, a team of three to five runners completes the challenge together. The course will be divided into legs of varying lengths so that runners of different abilities can form a team.
The Relay Exchange stations may become congested with team vehicles and spectator vehicles both converging on these locations. Relay runners should line up on the right hand side of the trail in the direction the runners are going.
Start (Distance of 1st leg – runner 1 will run approximately 4.7 miles):
Located at Miller’s Landing on the south/east side of Gallup Drive (1155 Gallup Drive on the Omaha Riverfront). Parking is available in designated relay spots at Miller’s Landing 151 Freedom Park Road, Omaha, NE. Cheer your first teammate off and head to the first exchange point!
Exchange #1 (Distance of 2nd leg – runner 2 will run approximately 5.3 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 4.7 at Nebraska Ave. and River Road. Exchange Point #1 is located just south of Aid Station B. Park at 2421 River Road, Council Bluffs, IA. Runner 2 will run south in the bike lane on River Road.
Exchange #2 (Distance of 3rd leg – runner 3 will run approximately 4.9 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 10.0, at the Western Historic Trails Center. Drop off is available at 3434 Richard Downing Ave, Council Bluff, IA. The entrance drive is currently closed to vehicles but runners may pass through the entrance gate to the Western Historic Trails Center and walk approximately 400 feet north westerly to the trail. Runner 3 will run northwesterly on the trail.
Exchange #3 (Distance of 4th leg – runner 4 will run approximately 5.8 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 14.9 at the east end of the Bob Kerry Bridge in Tom Hanafan Park in Council Bluffs, IA. Parking is available on Avenue A adjacent to 4201 Rivers Edge Pkwy, Council Bluffs, IA. Runner 4 will run south on the trail.
Exchange #4 (Distance of 5th leg – runner 5 will run approximately 5.5 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 20.7, just south of 24th Street & Richard Downing Ave. in Council Bluffs, IA. Parking is available at 3271 Marketplace Dr, Council Bluffs, IA (west of JCPenney). Park and take the trail on 34th Ave to 24th Street. Runner 5 will run north on the 24th Street Trail on the east side of 24th Street towards Richard Downing Ave.
Team Reunion (OPTIONAL):
This will allow team members to finish as a team. Relay bibs are XXX-A thru XXX-E. The team member wearing bib XXX-E MUST cross the finish line first, other runners shall remove their timing chip on their bib before crossing the finish line. Exchange point is located on the west side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Go meet your teammate to finish the relay and celebrate your accomplishment!
Marathon Relay teams must have at least three, and no more than five members.
Please consult the Marathon Course Map for locations.
Leg One, 4.7 miles; Exchange point 1: Start to Mile 4.7
Leg Two, 5.2 miles; Exchange point 2: Mile 4.7 to Mile 9.9
Leg Three, 5 miles; Exchange point 3: Mile 9.9 to Mile 14.9
Leg Four, 5.8 miles; Exchange point 4: Mile 14.9 to Mile 20.7
Leg Five, 5.5 miles; Final Run: Mile 20.7 to Finish
The Relay Exchange stations may become congested with team vehicles and spectator vehicles both converging on these locations. Relay runners should line up on the right hand side of the trail in the direction the runners are going.
Start (Distance of 1st leg – runner 1 will run approximately 4.7 miles):
Located at Miller’s Landing on the south/east side of Gallup Drive (1155 Gallup Drive on the Omaha Riverfront). Parking is available in designated relay spots at Miller’s Landing 151 Freedom Park Road, Omaha, NE. Cheer your first teammate off and head to the first exchange point!
Exchange #1 (Distance of 2nd leg – runner 2 will run approximately 5.3 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 4.7 at Nebraska Ave. and River Road. Exchange Point #1 is located just south of Aid Station B. Park at 2421 River Road, Council Bluffs, IA. Runner 2 will run south in the bike lane on River Road.
Exchange #2 (Distance of 3rd leg – runner 3 will run approximately 4.9 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 10.0, at the Western Historic Trails Center. Drop off is available at 3434 Richard Downing Ave, Council Bluff, IA. The entrance drive is currently closed to vehicles but runners may pass through the entrance gate to the Western Historic Trails Center and walk approximately 400 feet north westerly to the trail. Runner 3 will run northwesterly on the trail.
Exchange #3 (Distance of 4th leg – runner 4 will run approximately 5.8 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 14.9 at the east end of the Bob Kerry Bridge in Tom Hanafan Park in Council Bluffs, IA. Parking is available on Avenue A adjacent to 4201 Rivers Edge Pkwy, Council Bluffs, IA. Runner 4 will run south on the trail.
Exchange #4 (Distance of 5th leg – runner 5 will run approximately 5.5 miles)
Exchange is located approximately at Mile 20.7, just south of 24th Street & Richard Downing Ave. in Council Bluffs, IA. Parking is available at 3271 Marketplace Dr, Council Bluffs, IA (west of JCPenney). Park and take the trail on 34th Ave to 24th Street. Runner 5 will run north on the 24th Street Trail on the east side of 24th Street towards Richard Downing Ave.
Team Reunion (OPTIONAL):
This will allow team members to finish as a team. Relay bibs are XXX-A thru XXX-E. The team member wearing bib XXX-E MUST cross the finish line first, other runners shall remove their timing chip on their bib before crossing the finish line. Exchange point is located on the west side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Go meet your teammate to finish the relay and celebrate your accomplishment!
Runners are responsible for getting to the exchange points.