Heart of America Training Run #3 (BCHCC - 12 miles)

Schedule

Sat Aug 16 2025 at 06:00 am to 09:00 am

UTC-05:00

Location

Boone County History & Culture Center | Columbia, MO

We are adding a third training run on August 16! We will run 12 miles and include the changes this year at the beginning and end of the course. This needed to be shortened since the detour off Route K will lengthen the course.
Change at beginning: we will skip running to the roundabout.
Change at end: we will run to the Gans Creek Recreation Area entrance and turn around and head back past Toltan High School as usual.
Confused why we are changing the course??? please see the update[https://www.facebook.com/events/1412543146760915] regarding the 2nd training run on August 9. An email announcement will be sent to registered runners at a later date.
The 12-mile group training run starts from the Boone County History & Culture Center, located at 3801 Ponderosa St, Columbia, MO 65201.
Everyone is welcome, whether you're training for the HOA Marathon or Relay—or just looking for a long run with company.
Details:
Start Location: Parking lot along Ponderosa next to the Boone County History & Culture Center
Parking:
Please park in the lot south of the building along Ponderosa, not directly in front. The Center opens at 11 AM, so there should be plenty of space available.
Route Overview:
We’ll begin at the HOA Marathon starting line and run to approximately Mile 3.5 at Rock Bridge Elementary School.
From there, we'll turn left onto Highway 163 and follow about 2.5 miles of the old HOA course.
At Pierpont, we’ll turn left and rejoin the marathon course for the final 6 miles, finishing back at the Boone County History & Culture Center for a total of 12 miles.
Distance Options:
Want to run more? Add miles at the end.
Want to run less? Shorten the route a little by skipping the out-and-back to the Gans Creek Recreation area entrance turn around.
Water Stations:
We’ll have four water stations (look for coolers):
3.5 miles: Rock Bridge Elementary
7.2 miles: Shooting Star Trailhead
~9.8 miles & ~10.3 miles: Tolton High School
Bottled water will be provided, but feel free to carry your own.
Navigation:
The course will not be marked. We recommend bringing a smartphone with the route or printed directions. Consider running with a buddy if you're concerned about getting off course.
Route Map & GPX Export:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6601102968
Course Instructions for Training Run (these are actual course instructions for the marathon with modifications for the training run):
There are several roundabouts on this course. All roundabouts are handled the same way. This is how to run the roundabouts:
As you approach the roundabout, enter on the sidewalk to the left (clockwise) – stay on the sidewalk. Cross at the pedestrian crosswalk. Continue on the sidewalk. Do not run in the road. Do not cut across the middle.
Start – Boone County History and Culture Center – 3801 Ponderosa St. Columbia, MO
Start line – In the parking lot near the playground.
Exit parking lot and turn Left (THIS IS A CHANGE) on Ponderosa
Immediate left on E. Nifong Blvd – no shoulder, exercise caution, run single file
Left on State Farm Pkwy – Stay on the left (east) sidewalk. Do not cross the road at State Farm Pkwy – simply turn left onto the sidewalk. You will soon approach the first roundabout. Stay to the east/south side of the roundabout – use sidewalks and pedestrian crossing. See roundabout directions.
Roundabout exits to Veterans Pkwy – sidewalk
Left on S. Providence Rd. – bike Lane
At Rock Bridge Elementary turn left on 163 (cutting through to the course starting at Pierpont)
Left at Pierpont/163 (~6.6 miles)
Left on E Bonne Femme Church Rd – gravel ( you will pass Shooting Star Trail Head on your left)
Left on S. Gans Creek Rd – gravel
Left on E. Gans Rd
Left again continuing to E. Gans Rd – sidewalk to just past the conservation Office
Cross road at conservation Office – to sidewalk on north side of E. Gans Rd.
Turn around will be in front of Gans Creek Recreational Area
E. Gans Rd becomes Discovery
Left on Endeavor
Stay left on sidewalk and use ped crossing at roundabout *see roundabout instructions above*
Follow signs toward Nocona Pkwy – sidewalk
Follow sidewalk and ped crossings and continue around roundabouts
Left on Ponderosa
This is where the sidewalk ends. Stay to the left of the road and pass 3Fifteen Primo Cannabis
Take the first Nifong Park entrance to the left immediately past 3Fifteen Primo Cannabis
Enter trail
Finish at Gordon Cabin with Easley store just ahead of you!
Don't forget to sign up for the marathon, team relay or to volunteer:
http://heartofamericamarathon.com

Where is it happening?

Boone County History & Culture Center, 3801 Ponderosa St, Columbia, MO 65201-5460, United States
Heart of America Marathon

Host or Publisher Heart of America Marathon

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