How do I register for the Heartland Marathon?

Registration is open to everyone through the GetMeRegistered platform. There is no lottery or qualifying standard required to enter. Packet pickup is available on race morning before the start.

Is the Heartland Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies as a Boston qualifier. The field skews toward runners targeting their goal time, so the flat course is genuinely set up for it.

What is the course like?

The course runs on paved riverfront trails between Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, in a multi-loop format. It is essentially flat, with only about 36 feet of elevation difference between the highest and lowest points on the course.

How big is the field?

The Heartland Marathon is a smaller race with a few hundred finishers. It has an intimate, low-key atmosphere compared to large city marathons.

What is the weather typically like on race day?

The race runs in late September, when Omaha mornings typically start around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and can warm into the mid-70s by mid-morning. Conditions vary year to year, so check the forecast in advance and plan for the possibility of warm and humid conditions in the later miles.

Where does the race start?

The race starts at Miller's Landing on the Omaha riverfront. Staying downtown or near the riverfront puts you close to the start line.

Sep 2026 · est.Omaha, NESince 2015

Heartland Marathon

The Heartland Marathon runs a multi-loop course along paved riverfront trails connecting Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa. It is a small, low-drama race where the course gets out of your way and lets you run.

FlatOpen

HEARTLAND · US

Heartland

SEP 2026

estimated

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Race Overview

EST. 2015

The Heartland Marathon is a small, no-fuss race that starts at Miller's Landing on the Omaha riverfront and runs paved trails across into Council Bluffs, Iowa and back. The course is essentially flat. There are no hills to bank on and no hills to fear. It is a multi-loop setup, so you will cover the same ground more than once, which makes pacing straightforward but means you need to stay mentally engaged when the course starts to feel familiar. The one thing that earns a mention: running across the Missouri River, with the Omaha skyline behind you and Iowa ahead, is a genuinely good stretch. It does not last long, but it is worth a look.

This is a Boston qualifier, and the flat course gives you a real shot if your fitness is there. But late September in Nebraska is not a guarantee of cool weather, so do not assume a fast day just because the course is flat. Check the forecast in the week before and adjust your plan if it runs warm. Getting in is easy: registration is open and straightforward through GetMeRegistered, with packet pickup on race morning. If you want a low-key qualifier without the circus of a big-city race, this is a solid choice.

Field size

~272

272 finishers

BQ rate

4%

Below national average

Time limit

6:00

Tight cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

1,007 ft

Lowest point

971 ft

Course shape

Multi loop

Start and finish in one place

The course runs on paved trails between Omaha's riverfront and Council Bluffs, Iowa, with a net elevation of zero and a total range of only about 36 feet between the highest and lowest points. In practical terms, that means flat. There are no meaningful climbs or descents to plan around. The multi-loop format means you will see the same stretches more than once, which helps with pacing but can feel repetitive in the back half. Surface is consistent pavement throughout. The main variable is not elevation but weather: a late-September start in Nebraska can mean anything from cool and fast to warm and humid, so watch the forecast.

Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

50°F

High

74°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Late September in Omaha can go either way. The mornings typically start cool enough that you will want a light layer at the gun, but by the time you are deep into the back half the temperature can climb enough to matter. Humidity is the wild card more than heat. If you get a warm, muggy day, your splits will feel harder than they should. Keep an eye on the forecast the week before and do not assume the flat course means an automatic fast day. Hydrate consistently from the start rather than waiting until you feel it.

Entry

OPEN

Open online registration through GetMeRegistered platform, with packet pickup on race day Saturday before the September marathon.

Register on race site

Frequently Asked

7 questions

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