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Become An AdvertiserMarathon Details - Lincoln Marathon
North America Marathons > USA > NE > Lincoln > Lincoln MarathonLincoln Marathon
Lincoln, NE USA
May 4, 2025
Marathon Results
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Race Details
SUMMARY. The Lincoln National Guard Marathon and Half-Marathon is run on a citywide course that starts and finishes on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Runners in both races share a common start and run a loop route past the Nebraska State Capitol, along Sheridan Boulevard, past Union College, along the Highway 2 bike path, past the Lincoln County-City Building and back to the Half-Marathon finish on the UNL Campus. Marathoners then follow an out-and-back route to Holmes Park passing the Sunken Gardens, Folsom Children's Zoo and Antelope Park.
The Lincoln Marathon is a premier event that showcases the vibrant community spirit of Lincoln, Nebraska. Known for its enthusiastic spectators, the race features a route that winds through scenic neighborhoods and the University of Nebraska campus. This marathon is a favorite among runners for its excellent organization, from smooth packet pickup to a well-managed wave start.
The course is mostly flat with a few rolling hills, making it suitable for both seasoned marathoners and beginners. The first half of the marathon is particularly notable for its lively crowd support, while the second half presents a mental challenge with its out-and-back section. Despite fewer spectators in the latter part, the volunteers and aid stations along the route are well-prepared and supportive, providing essential hydration and energy.
Participants can enjoy a variety of amenities, including free parking, well-stocked aid stations, and a unique finisher's medal. The post-race atmosphere is festive, with plenty of refreshments to help runners recover. The Lincoln Marathon is an event where the whole community comes together to create an unforgettable experience for all participants.
This race offers a perfect blend of community support, scenic views, and well-thought-out logistics, making it a standout event in the running calendar. Whether aiming for a personal best or simply enjoying the journey, the Lincoln Marathon promises a memorable and rewarding experience.
Contact Information
| Name: | Nancy Sutton & Gary Bredehoft | |
| Address: | Lincoln Track Club,
882 N. Lakeshore Dr. Lincoln NE 68528 |
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| Phone Number: | 402-435-3504 (B | |
| Fax Number: | 402-473-2200 | |
| Email: | Email the organizers | |
Runner Reviews (228)
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.3 |
Race The Nation from North Carolina
(3/8/2022)
"Well organized state race" (about: 2021)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lincoln Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was our first race back post-Covid and we couldn't have chosen a better one. We've found any race that's organized by a running group is typically done very well and this was no exception. This is the longest running marathon in Nebraska and Lincoln is a great city to visit. Unfortunately, they had to cancel the Expo due to Covid. The course provides a nice tour of the city and normally finishes in the Lincoln Memorial Stadium (where the Cornhuskers play) though we finished in the track & field stadium. The half and full run together for entire time until right at the end where anyone doing the full can see and hear the finish line party as you trudge away to do another 13.1! Lincoln has a lot of nice greenways. You run on them some, but there is more street running with coned off traffic. The last half of the marathon is primarily an out and back. The aid stations were very good and well stocked. I'd describe the fan support along the course as strong. The swag included a medal, t-shirt, and marathon themed face mask (let's hope that ends up being a one-time keepsake)! Lincoln is a fun college city. The downtown area around the Historic Haymarket is always hopping, a very fun atmosphere. There are lots of other attractions in the area, the zoo was particularly enjoyable. And we actually escaped from an Escape Room for a change! You can get a good feel of the race, place and taste from our YouTube video at Race The Nation. | |
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Paul Brown from Valdosta Georgia USA
(5/17/2019)
"Very pleased with this 26.2 event!" (about: 2019)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lincoln Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Lincoln is likely not your idea of a destination marathon. Maybe it should be. The course, 1st half was full of positive energy from the city. You even run past Nebraska's unique 14 story state house. The 2nd half was a semi lonely stretch out and back finishing up in Memorial Stadium, home of the Cornhuskers football team. Loved hearing my name and town announced over the loudspeaker as I approached the 50 yard line. CHOCOLATE Milk, fountain Pepsi products, gatorade, were a nice touch right off the field under the bleachers. Medal was great compared to to years ago, mediocre by todays standards, but you don't run a marathon for the medal anyway. Right? | |
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D. C. from Ankeny, IA
(5/8/2019)
"Really enjoyed this race!!!" (about: 2019)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was worried about the the last half of the race after reading previous comments on this site but must say I was pleasantly surprised! I would have liked a little more shade on the back half but overall I enjoyed the course! Spectators and volunteers were amazing throughout...couldn't have survived the hot day without them. Thank you Lincoln for a wonderful experience!!! | |
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D. B. from Long Beach CA
(5/14/2018)
"Loved Lincoln" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Lincoln Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From registration to results and everything in between was so smooth, communication was superb, volunteers are the best in the busness, and community support was off the charts. This city is very proud of the it's name, with T-shirts, medals and awards all dispIaying Abe Lincoln. I believe he would be very proud of this event. I even had a great burger at Honest Abe's. I only gave 3 stars for the course, which is really nice, but just for me too much concrete for this 63 year ol' body. | |
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C. B. from NE
(5/14/2018)
"Not for slower runners" (about: 2018)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Lincoln Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The wave start is nice, unless you're a back of the pack runner. Then you start 45 minutes after everyone else and can guarantee you will not have water stops or course support for the back half of the race. They were closing down water stations by mile 5 and by mile 11 there were no more volunteers/course signs. Thank goodness for random strangers with coolers of water and ice. Got to finish line with an hour left before the course closed and they'd taken down the finisher photo spot and most of the recovery stations. | |
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M. M. from ME
(5/10/2018)
"Well run in a nice community" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Lincoln Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was very happy with the Lincoln Marathon. Although the temps were rather hot during the 2nd half of the race, they did a great job providing plenty of fluids along with cups of ice as well. The course is ok through out the town, but the fans more than made up for an ok course. The community really comes out and cheers you on. The finish in Cornhusker stadium is cool. Well done Lincoln! | |
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T. K. from Cincinnati, OH
(5/8/2017)
"Heat in the Heartland" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Lincoln Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Top Ten Reasons to Run Lincoln (Despite the mentally-tough 6.5 mile finishing out and back and the 2017 hot temperatures)! 10) Spectators galore 9) Catching a Cornhusker baseball game on a beautiful Friday evening on marathon weekend 8) Vincenzo's Ristorante in Haymarket District for pasta loading 7) The beautiful neighborhood along Sheridan Road during miles 4 and 5 6) Pretty flat 5) It's well-established and therefore well-organized...2017 was its 40th anniversary 4) Huge participation by Lincoln Police Department managing intersections 3) Zillions of amazing and friendly volunteers and National Guard- this is a real community effort that they are proud of 2) Cups of Gatorade and water at aid stations have lids and straws making it so easy to drink while running 1) Finishing on the 50 yard line of the University of Nebraska football stadium - awesome | |
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K. M. from New York, NY
(9/2/2016)
"for the back of the packers..." (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lincoln Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 No point advertising a 6 hr limit when the 5:30 pace team can't start until 45 minutes after the gun. That being said, don't let anyone turn you away at the half marathon split point. Ignore them and go for it. You'll be fine. | |
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D. S. from Colorado,USA
(6/12/2016)
"Great organization for before and during the race" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lincoln Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I highly recommend the half. The runners get to wait in the Cornhusker indoor practice facility before the race. You can see the wave starts from the facility, minimizing the time waiting out in the elements. It rained in 2016. They provided lid covered w/straws drinking water, to cut down on contaminated water. The volunteers were great. Spectators were great considering the rain. A few rolling hills through out. You finish the full and half the football field. They provided very detailed race results. I found out I passed 117 people, that was a stat I was never given before this race. | |
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Dave Graves from Volga, SD
(6/6/2016)
"A well-run event" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Lincoln Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Kudos to Lincoln Track Club for putting on a fine event from packet pickup to the free post-race meal and awards ceremony in the Cornhusker Club. Runners AND their families are treated to a free spaghetti feed on Saturday evening and another free meal for them and their families after the race. Food was surprising good for such a large gathering. I was toward the end of the pack, but there were still people out there playing music for the runners. The community really supports the race when it goes through the residential areas early in the race. The race started at 7 a.m. and my corral didn't start until 7:35 a.m., but I knew that would be the case, so I didn't have to stand in my corral that long. Plenty of pre-race porta potties. Even though my interest in Husker football has diminished like my foot speed, it was still a charge to sprint through the tunnel and race to the 50-yard-line at Memorial Stadium. |
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