Omaha Marathon

The Omaha Marathon is the city's hometown fall race, run by the Omaha Running Club, a group that has been organizing local runs for more than 50 years. Runners can choose the full marathon, a half marathon or a 5K, and all three courses are USATF certified.

The race is a Boston Marathon qualifier, which draws a share of runners chasing a time, but the field is friendly to first-timers too. The 2026 event was staged from the riverfront area off Gallup Drive just north of downtown, with race-day access from Riverfront Drive, and the courses take in downtown Omaha and the Missouri River.

Late September usually brings cool mornings and comfortable running weather, which makes this a nice excuse for a fall weekend in Omaha. Spectators can catch runners near the riverfront and then wander over to the Old Market for brunch.

Highlights

• Full marathon, half marathon and 5K
• Boston Marathon qualifier on a USATF-certified course
• Organized by the volunteer Omaha Running Club
• Downtown and riverfront scenery
• Six-hour time limit for the full marathon in 2026

Tips for going

• Register early: fees step up through the year. In 2026 the marathon went from $125 to $145 before fees, the half from $115 to $135 and the 5K from $55 to $75.
• Omaha Running Club members and military runners get discounts.
• Race-day parking and course access are from Riverfront Drive; arrive early because roads near the start close before the 7 a.m. start.
• Stay downtown or in the Old Market so you can walk to the start.