How do I enter the Eisenhower Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners, no qualifier or lottery required. Military members and first responders receive a registration discount.

Is the Eisenhower Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, it is a certified Boston qualifier. The flat course gives you a mechanical edge, though the small field means you will need to manage your own pacing without a large pack to lean on.

What is the course like?

It is a multi-loop course on flat Kansas terrain with a net elevation change of zero. The highest and lowest points are less than 80 feet apart, so the course is as level as a marathon gets. Expect open, exposed roads with minimal shade.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the course is USATF certified.

What is the typical race-day weather?

Mid-April in Abilene typically brings a cool start in the upper 30s warming into the low 60s by midday. Wind can be a factor on the open course, so check the forecast beforehand.

How do I get to Abilene for the race?

Most runners fly into Wichita, which is approximately 90 minutes from Abilene. The race starts and finishes at Old Abilene Town near the Eisenhower Presidential Library, and local accommodations are available throughout the town.

Apr 2027 · est.Abilene, KSSince 2003

Eisenhower Marathon

The Eisenhower Marathon runs through the hometown of a president on a flat, certified course that rewards disciplined pacing. It's a small-field race where every finish feels earned.

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EISENHOWER · US

Eisenhower

APR 2027

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Race Overview

EST. 2003

Abilene is a small Kansas town and the Eisenhower Marathon feels like it. The field is tight, the roads are flat, and there are no distractions. The race starts and finishes at Old Abilene Town, right near the Eisenhower Presidential Library. You run a multi-loop course across open, level ground. The elevation barely moves the whole way, which sounds ideal until mile 18 when there is nothing left to blame but your legs. Be disciplined early. The course will tell you the truth about your fitness.

This is a legitimate Boston qualifier and the flat profile gives you every mechanical advantage, but the small field means no one is dragging you along. You need to run your own race from the start. Wind can be a factor on open Kansas roads, so check the forecast and be ready to adjust. Getting in is simple, open registration, with discounts for military and first responders. If you want a no-frills shot at a qualifier without the chaos of a big-city race, this is worth the drive.

Field size

~87

87 finishers

BQ rate

14%

Above national average

Time limit

6:00

Tight cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:36:39

Dan Berteletti

2018

Women

3:31:10

Amy Flynn

2018

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

1,215 ft

Lowest point

1,136 ft

Course shape

Multi loop

Start and finish in one place

The course is a multi-loop layout across flat Kansas terrain, with a total elevation swing of under 80 feet between its lowest and highest points. Net elevation is effectively zero, so there is no free descent to bank early and no late climb to fear. Pacing strategy is entirely self-managed. The absence of grade changes means you live or die by effort control, and on a loop course you will know exactly how you are doing by the second pass. Expect an open, exposed run with no significant shade or shelter from the wind. For a PR attempt, even pacing from the gun is the move.

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

37°F

High

63°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Mid-April in Abilene means a cold morning at the gun, often in the upper 30s, warming into the low 60s by the time you are deep in the back half. That gap matters. Start with a throwaway layer you are willing to ditch by mile 5 or 6. The afternoon warmth is manageable but the course is exposed, so if it's a sunny day you will feel it. Wind is the bigger variable out here on the plains, so check the forecast the night before and factor it into your pacing.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration available. Military and first responder discounts offered.

Register on race site

Frequently Asked

7 questions

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