12 walking events in Columbus, Georgia

Where : Iron Bank Coffee

Date: February 28, 2026 at 8:00 AM

Course : Broadway, Riverwalk, Uptown Online Map

Cost : $30 thru Feb. 20th; $40 on Feb. 28nd To be guaranteed an event shirt must be registered by Feb 20th!

Awards : 1st, 2nd, & 3rd overall: 1st Masters: under 14,15-19,10 year age groups up to 70+: Male & Female in all categories

Benefits : MercyMed & Rotary

Packet Pick Up: At Big Dog Fleet Feet (12 W 11th Street) February 27th, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM / Late Packet Pick-Up and Registration Saturday 6am-7:45am

Website: www.runformercymed.com

Join us for the 2nd Annual Liberty Theatre Walk/Run – 5K Fun Run on Saturday, March 7, 2026, and be part of a fun, community-driven event supporting the historic Liberty Theatre.

This family-friendly 5K welcomes all ages and fitness levels—run, jog, or walk at your own pace. The race begins at 9:00 AM, making it the perfect way to start your Saturday morning with movement and purpose.

Registration: $35 per participant

Register by February 13, 2026, to receive a free commemorative T-shirt and medal

All proceeds benefit the Liberty Theatre, helping sustain arts, cultural programming, and community events in Columbus.

Grab your spot, bring your crew, and help us make Year Two even bigger and better!

The Heroes of America Marathon and Half Marathon Saturday, March 21, 2026 race starts and finishes at the intersection of West 10th St and Bay Ave in front of Woodruff Park, Columbus, Ga two blocks north of the Columbus Marriott. The full marathon runs both north and south of Woodruff Park (1000 Bay Ave) utilizing some streets including the 14th street Pedestrian Bridge onto the beautiful Riverwalk, going down and looping inside Fort Moore (AKA Benning). The course will then exit Fort Moore (AKA Benning) at mile 17 and returns passing the Iron Works Convention Center exiting to Bay Ave to W. 9th under the train trestle and back the start/finish line. The course is reasonably flat with some smaller inclines. The Heroes of America 5k also starts at W 10th and Bay Ave immediately after the Half Marathon start. Because of the width of the Riverwalk the Heroes of America Marathon does not allow participants who use hand-cranks.

Event details and schedule

Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Columbus Marriott 800 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 3901

Noon to 1:30 pm, Then again at 4:30-6:30 pm Packet Pickup, Registration

Saturday, March 21, 2026 at the Columbus Marriott

6:00 am to 7:45 am - Packet Pickup, Registration

8:00 am - Start of Marathon & Half Marathon

8:10 am - Start of 5k

12:00 pm - Close of Half Marathon

3:00 pm - Close of Marathon

EVENT DETAILS:

MARATHON

The Heroes of America Marathon course is a 26.2 mile course that at the intersection of West 10th St and Bay Ave in front of Woodruff Park, Columbus, Ga, two blocks north of the Columbus Marriott. The full marathon runs both north and south of Woodruff Park utilizing some streets including the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge onto the beautiful Riverwalk going down and looping inside Fort Benning. The course then exits Fort Benning at mile 17 and returns to W 1oth and Bay Ave in front of Woodruff Park

Minimum Age Restriction for Marathon

The minimum age to register for the Heroes of America Marathon is 16 years old. Most experts believe that training for and running a 26.2 mile race is best done after a runner has matured both physically and mentally. Age 16 is the minimum age our race committee has decided for the 26.2 mile marathon

Start Time: 8:00am EST

End Time: 3:00pm EST

HALF MARATHON

The Heroes of America Half Marathon course is a 13.1 mile course that starts and finishes at the intersection of West 10th St and Bay Ave in front of Woodruff Park, Columbus, Ga, two blocks north of the Columbus Marriott. .

Minimum Age Restriction for Half Marathon

The minimum age to register for the Heroes of America Half Marathon is 10 years old. Most experts believe that training for and running a 13.1 mile race is best done after a runner has reached at least the age of 10. Age 10 is the minimum age our race committee has decided for the 13.1 mile Heroes of America Half Marathon.

Start Time: 8:00am EST

End Time: 12:00pm EST

RANGER CHALLENGE RELAY MARATHON

Each team will consist of no more than 2 runners. The relay teams start at the same start line as the other runners. There is one exchange point on the course at 13.1 The lead runner on the Relay Team will get the chip start time. The last runner receives the overall finishing time. The relay exchange point is inside Ft Benning and accessible by car with military clearance. Make sure to get your badge on site no later that the day before the race or online (online with take about 72 hours to issue) Transportation to the exchange point is NOT provided by the Heroes of America event team.

5K

The 5K race starts right after the start of the marathon and half marathon races. Runners for the 5K race will queue up behind the marathon and half marathon runners. After the start of the marathon and half marathon race, the 5K runners will move up to the same start line to begin the 5K race.

The Heroes of America 5K course is a 3.1 mile course that starts and finishes at the same start and finish line for the marathon and half marathon at the intersection of West 10th St and Bay Ave in front of Woodruff Park, Columbus, Ga two blocks north of the Columbus Marriott.

Minimum Age for 5K

The minimum age to register for the Heroes of America 5k Race is 6 years old.

Start Time: 8:10am EST

End Time: 9:30am EST

Host Hotel will be provided at a later date.

CERTIFICATION:

Marathon course is certified as a Boston Marathon qualifier. The USATF Certification Number is USATF GA17085WC.

AWARDS:

Race finishers will receive a race t-shirt and a finisher’s medal.

Overall Winners and Overall Masters: Male and Female.

5K & Half Age Group Awards: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 up.

Marathon Age Group Awards: 19 and under 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 up.

Each member of the relay team will receive a finisher’s t-shirt and a finisher’s medal.

PACKET PICKUP:

Packet pickup will be at the Columbus Marriott, 800 Front Avenue, Columbus GA 31901, on Friday, March 20, 2026 Noon-1:30 and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. A team representative may pick up the registration packet with a bib for each member of the relay team.

PARKING:

Parking is available at 801 Front Avenue deck garage across from W. 8th street or the lots at Bay Avenue and Dillingham Street at 901 Bay Avenue, Columbus, GA (this lot will fill up quickly).

Join us for a 5K run/walk to support children and families in need through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the national philanthropy of Phi Mu Fraternity. Every step we take helps provide critical care, life-saving treatments, and essential medical equipment for children receiving treatment at local children’s hospitals.

Registration for the race is $10, but participants and supporters also have the opportunity to donate additional funds to help make an even greater impact. All proceeds go directly toward supporting children facing serious illnesses and injuries and helping hospitals provide the specialized care they need.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals works to ensure that every child receives the care they deserve, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Donations help fund pediatric medical equipment, research, and life-saving treatments that improve and save young lives every day.

Whether you run, walk, or simply donate, your support helps bring hope, healing, and brighter futures to children in our community. Together, we can make every mile matter.

Come out, get active, and run for a miracle. 💛

This is a 5k race held at Columbus State University. Runners will be taken throughout CSU campus. Prizes for first 3 steppers.

Event: Young Life Flapjack 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run + Pancake Breakfast

Date: April 25, 2026

Time: 1 Mile at 8:00am and 5K at 8:30am; Breakfast available 8:00-10:00am

Race and Dinner Location: Young Life Building (2750 Sowega Drive)

Course: Both races will start and finish from the YL Building

1 Mile Fun Run will be one loop around Britt David Park finishing at the YL Building.

5k course map can be found here. Note that from Vultee there will be a left on Ventura then right on Stinson.

Awards: Awards ceremony at 9:30am.

5k: Engraved Spatula for 1st, 2nd & 3rd overall M/F; 1st, 2nd, 3rd 14 and under, 15-19, 10-year age groups up to 60+; Male / Female in all categories;1st Masters Male / Female.

1 Mile: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place medals for two youth age groups (age split determined based on registrations). All 1 Mile finishers will receive a participation ribbon.

Packet Pick-Up: Young Life Building - Friday, April 24 Noon-6pm

Description: Do you love Young Life? Do you love pancakes? Do you love running? Come join us at Young Life’s fourth annual Flapjack 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run + Pancake Breakfast! All proceeds with help get middle and high schoolers from Columbus to Young Life camps.

There are many ways you can participate and support...

Run/Walk the 5k ($35): Race begins at 8:30apm. Registration includes a t-shirt and entry into the pancake breakfast. Price increases to $40 on April 19th. Day of race registration will be $45.

Run/Walk the 1 Mile Fun Run ($25): Race begins at 8:00am. Registration includes a t-shirt and entry into the pancake breakfast. Price increases to $30 on April 19th. Day of race registration will be $35.

Register by April 16th to be guaranteed a t-shirt!

Don't want to run or walk? Click here to buy tickets to the pancake breakfast, make donations, or become a corporate sponsor.

*Contact our office at [email protected] with any questions or for sponsorship information.

📅 Event Details

Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2026

Location: The Park at Cascade Hills Church

Register Today and create a team!

Join us as we support and celebrate the Chattahoochee Valley's autistic community! Since 2005, we have stood together with families and individuals living with autism, educators, students, politicians, community leaders, and businesses in support of autism acceptance and awareness of our neurodivergent friends and neighbors. Funds raised at the walk help the Autism Hope Center provide free vital resources, education, and services to the Chattahoochee Valley area.

Attendees

Walk 4 Autism is a local community event for ALL ages and abilities!

Many of our walkers are families who have autistic children or relatives. Other walkers are autistic adults, educators, students, community businesses, service providers, clinicians, and friends.

Proceeds

Funds raised beyond the event expenses will go to support the local programs of the Autism Hope Center, all of which are provided for free. These include trainings for parents, teachers, therapy providers, and those living with Autism, support groups for caregivers, the Annual Autism Resource Fair and Family Day, autism training for first responders, social and sensory-friendly activities, a Teen group, Parents Night Out, and information and referral services.

It is essential to receive appropriate services in order to transition effectively into adulthood capable of independent living and employment.

Location: Columbus Botanical Gardens 3603 Weems Rd, Columbus Ga 31909

Date: Saturday 5/2/26 Time: 8 am

Course: TBD

Cost: $30 until 4/17/26; $35 (4/18/26 - 5/1/26 @ 6pm); $40 @Race Day Registration from 645 - 745 am onsite at race

Part of CRR Classic Series. If signed up for Classic Series do not need to sign up for individual race.

To be guaranteed a commemorative race shirt be registered by 4/17. Shirts not guaranteed after this date.

Join us on May 2, 2026, for The Columbus Botanical Gardens 5K. We will have a 5K run that winds through the trails around Lake Heath and of course our very own trails at the Columbus Botanical Gardens. Run or walk this scenic 5K and leave with a not only a sense of accomplishment, but a unique award which keeps with the theme of the CBG.

Each year, we will celebrate a different flora. This year 2026 is the year of the Marigold.

All finishers will receive a finishers award.

Award Categories: 5K: 1st, 2nd & 3rd overall; 1st Masters; under 14, 15-19, 10-year age groups up to 70+; Male / Female in all categories

Packet Pick Up: At Big Dog Running Co, 12 11th St on Friday, May 1st from 12-6 PM. Saturday May 2 at Columbus Botanical Gardens

Proceeds will be donated to Columbus Botanical Gardens after expenses.

Old Mill Run 4 Miler with YMCA Saturday June 13 @ 8 am for 4 Miler, 1 mile starts at 730 am

Where: Start & Finish @ Downtown YMCA

Distance: 4 Miler & 1 mile

Course: Road & Riverwalk

4 Miler: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6650478847/

1 Mile route: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5921242561

Cost: 5K: $30 CRR members, $35 nonmembers; 1 Mile: $30

No race day registration.

Award Categories 4 Mile: 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall Male & Female; Masters Male & Female: Age Group: 1st, 2nd, 3rd in under 14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & above.

Medal for all participants for 1 mile.

Register by June 5 @ noon to be guaranteed a shirt.

Packet Pick Up: At Big Dog Running 12 West 11th St on Friday, June 12 from 12-6 pm. NO PICKUP ON SATURDAY.

Part of CRR Summer Series. If signed up for series do not need to sign up for individual race.

Proceeds will be donated to YMCA after expenses.

Races include:

Saturday, June 13, 2026 - Old Mill 4 Miler @ 8 am

Saturday, July 18, 2026 - Big Dog Heatwave 5 miler @ 8 am

Saturday, August 1, 2026 - Lakebottom Park 5K @ 8 am

Saturday, September 12, 2026 - Riverwalk 10K @ 8 am

Price includes entry into all races and Series Shirt. Medal for running all 4 races given after last race.

Registration Fee:

CRR Member: $110

Nonmember: $120

Price includes: Registration fee, Summer Series shirt, race specific swag, post race food/drinks, chip timing & awards.

Do not need to sign up for individual races if signed up for series.

Awards:

Medal for running all 4 races for the Summer Series given after last race.

Freedom 250 5K - Celebrating 250 years of the US Army

Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ 8 am

Location: Downtown with start on Broadway near 11th St & Broadway intersection and finish on 11th St near Momma Goldbergs

Course: Uptown Columbus & Riverwalk https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6444749101/

Cost: $30 through June 13, increases to $35 June 14-20, $40 June 21 -June 26, $45 race day June 27

Award Categories: 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall Male & Female; Masters Male & Female: Age Group: 1st, 2nd, 3rd in under 14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & above. Top 3 Military. Male / Female in all categories

T-Shirt: To be guaranteed a T-shirt be signed up by June 19 @ 12 noon.

Packet Pick Up: At Big Dog Fleet Feet at 12 W 11th Street on Friday, June 26th from 12-6 PM and Saturday June 27th from 7 - 745 am.

Festivities: Post race snacks and refreshment.