bg26.2 & half marathon and bg6000

• Boston Marathon qualifying USATF Certified Course

  • The course starts (and finishes) at the Bowling Green Ballpark and runs a 13.1 mile loop through historic downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky and the beautiful campus of Western Kentucky University. All proceeds from the bg26.2 & half marathon go to the National MS Society in memory of Susan B. Riherd.  All finishers will receive a finisher's medal along with post-race refreshments. Post-race stretches and massages will be available.
    

  •  Start time for the bg26.2 & half marathon is 7:00 a.m. Central Time.

    • Marathoners will run the course twice

    • There will be 5 checkpoints on the course that all marathon runners must past and 2 checkpoints for the half marathoners. 

    • If registered as a marathoner and only run one loop (13.1 mile), when crossing the finish line you will be a DNF.

• Event Categories

  • Marathon

  • Half Marathon

  • 6k (bg6000)

  • There is a 6 hour time limit on the race.

    • Marathon participants must maintain a 14:00min/mi pace or reach the halfway point of the course [mi 13.1] within 3 hours. There will not be any course support or police service/protection after the 6 hour mark. There will not be any course support after 1pm.
      

• EXPO & PASTA DINNER

  • Packet pick-up, the expo, and pasta dinner will be held on Saturday, October 31st at Bowling Green Ballpark from 5 - 7pm.

  • RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP - Sunday, November 1st  6:00-6:30am @ BG Ballpark Concession Window (no packets will be given out after 6:30am)

  • The pasta dinner is free to each paid participant. Guest may purchase $3 tickets at the door.

• Course Information:

  • Map and printable turn-by-turn instructions are available here: Race Maps

• No Strollers or Dogs on the course:

           The bg26.2 & half marathon complies with the recommendations of the RRCA since the bg26.2 & half marathon is an RRCA sanctioned event.  The RRCA strongly recommends against the use of baby strollers/joggers by participants in road races if the child does not meet the age restriction outlined for the event.  The bg26.2 & half marathon including the bg6000 will follow the RRCA guidelines and not permit strollers on the course.  Since the bg26.2 is an open course, no roads are closed and parts of the course are limited to a bike lane, we feel that this could allow for a potential dangerous situation.

Things to keep in mind out on the course...

The bg26.2 is an open course with the exception of the coned lanes of UNIVERSITY BLVD, FAIRVIEW AVENUE, KENTUCKY STREET and ADAMS STREET. Please keep in mind that the side streets will be accessible and cars will be entering and exiting.

Running with Headphones? We suggest the bg26.2 "one-ear" policy: Leave your left ear free.

Please, no unauthorized cyclist.  Due to insurance regulations and request from the BGPD, we cannot allow bicycles on the course unless they are official race crew bg26.2 cyclists.  All official race crew bg26.2 cyclists will be wearing orange vests.  Contact person for cyclist race crew is Randy Hansbrough.

Bibs MUST be visible at ALL times and placed on the front!

Important information about your bib:

Placement of your bib on the front is important for accurate timing. Spotters need to see your bib as you cross the finish line.

The photographers on the course will use your bib number to associate pictures with your name. If you want to receive the free download with your race day pictures, please attach your bib to the FRONT and it must be completely visible. They use "human taggers" and if they can't read your bib number, you won't get your free download!!

• AWARDS

  • Awards for overall finishers are determined by gun times, chip times will be used to determine other award winners.

  • There will not be an awards ceremony. Look for the bg26.2 awards tent on the concourse area to claim your award. Bluegrass Timing will update the results board so check it to see if you are eligible for an award.

  • Marathon

    • 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards to bg26.2 male & female finishers

    • Overall awards to:

      • Masters male & female (40-49)

      • Grandmasters male/female (50 and over)

    • Awards for 1st thru 3rd place age group winners

      • Age groups for the marathon are:

        • 16-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-69 | 70 & over

        • The minimum age requirement for the bg26.2 is 16 years old.

  • Half Marathon

    • 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards to Half Marathon male/female finishers

    • Overall awards to:

      • Masters male/female (40-49)

      • Grandmasters male/female (50 and over)

    • Awards for 1st thru 3rd place age group winners

      • Age groups for the half marathon are:

        • 12-15 | 16-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-69 | 70 & over

        • The minimum age requirement for the half marathon is 12 years old                                                           

  • bg6000

    The bg6000 is 6k race through downtown Bowling Green, or perhaps it’s a 5K with a bonus K at the end. No matter how you look at it, the bg6000 presents a unique and fun challenge. The bg6000 course starts the same place as the marathon and half marathon. Start time for the bg6000 is 7:15 a.m. Central Time.

• • Awards for the bg6000
    Overall Male/Female finisher
    1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place in the following age groups:9 and under | 10-13 | 14-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-69 | 70 & over
  •                                        

• • RRCA Southern Region Marathon Championship event 

    • Awards will be given to overall male and female open, masters (40-49), grand masters (50-59), and senior grand masters (60+) in the bg26.2 marathon and will be awarded per the age categories listed, i.e. if you are in the 60+ age group but finish before a runner in another age group, you will receive the award according to your age.

  •  

•        bgKIDS

•  

  • The bgKIDS26.2 fun run will take place Saturday, October 31st at Bowling Green Ballpark. Participants will run two laps around the concourse at Bowling Green Ballpark for a total distance of one kilometer. All participants will receive a finisher's medal and Mr B's Pizza.  Start time for the bgKIDS is 4:00 p.m. Central Time.     

           PARKING

                      Free parking is available at the Stadium Park Plaza parking garage adjacent to Bowling Green Ballpark where the race events including the expo and packet pickup will be held. The map below shows other nearby parking options as well. Note that some lots in downtown Bowling Green are private parking lots and are not free. Be careful to make sure that where you park is free, or the local towing company will tow your vehicle. Taking advantage of free public parking at the Stadium Park Plaza parking structure or BGMU parking lot is encouraged.

• No Refunds

  • bg26.2 & Half Marathon does not offer refunds for any event. All event registrations are final. This includes duplicate registrations. Please double check before signing up again.

• Transfers / Deferrals

  • Transfers (to a different race) and deferrals (to the next year) can be completed by the registrant in their RunSignUp race dashboard. A fee will apply. Please note that only ONE transfer or deferral per single registration. Registrant can only defer one time. Last date for transfers or deferrals is October 15, 2026.

  • For any questions, please email registration@bg262.com.

bg26.2 is pleased to feature the following hotels and special discounts for our runners!

The Hotel Sync - Bowling Green

Click here to book at our bg26.2 special rate!

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The Maple Retreat at Park Mammoth - Park City

Click here to book at our bg26.2 special rate!

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Holiday Inn University Plaza

Click here to book at our bg26.2 special rate!

Rooms must be booked by October 2, 2025 to receive bg262 discount rate

Click the link below for the year you participated and scroll to the bottom of the page or enter your bib# to search!

Downloads are FREE again this year! 

• 2024 Photos
• 2023 Photos
• 2022 Photos
• 2021 Photos
• 2019 Photos

Logan Jarboe

3:30 Lead Pacer

I’m based in Evansville, Indiana, and have a deep passion for endurance running. Over the past year, I’ve been consistently racing and training with a focus on both speed and distance. Some recent highlights include placing 2nd overall at the Owensboro Half Marathon in November 2024 with a time of 1:31, and finishing 50th at the Evansville Half Marathon with a 1:36. I also frequently place in the top 5 at local 5Ks throughout the region.

Currently, I’m training for the Shawnee Hills 100-miler this August, so my weekly mileage and endurance base are strong. I’ve paced friends and local runners before and genuinely enjoy helping others hit their goals. I take pride in staying on pace, keeping morale high, and making sure the runners around me feel supported and inspired.

Billy Byrne

3:45 Lead Pacer

Billy has been running for over 10 years now and absolutely loves to race and pace! He loves the trails
just as much as he loves road racing. He is very goal oriented. Often setting goals way higher than
what he thinks he is capable of. He loves to push himself to the limit and continue to get faster. Billy
ran his second Boston this year and 11 days later paced (3:40) KDF Marathon with his buddy Travis
Martin and swears he had more fun at KDF!
Billy loves to inspire all runners to get out there and simply “embrace” everything about running. In
Billy’s own words, “Running is all about pushing our physical capabilities to the limits to run 26.2 miles
consecutively however, I am a firm believer that we should have fun doing it! A run is always more
enjoyable when you have an entire pack of runners doing what they love.” 

Travis Martin

4:00 Lead Pacer

Travis began running in High School and ran his first marathon in 1992 in 3:08 (Rocket City
Marathon). Since then, he has participated in various distance races including full and half
marathons, 5k and 10k events, as well as numerous trail and road relays. Travis ran the 2022 Boston
Marathon just under 3:08 and hopes to help others qualify in order to participate. Travis paces
several other marathons/events and excited to pace the bg26.2.

Korey Vaughn

4:30 Lead Pacer

Hey everyone, I am Korey Vaughn and I am the 4:30 pace leader for the BG 26.2 Half and Full marathon. I started running consistently in 2023. I have learned a lot since then and have had many great experiences. I am excited to be able to help others work towards and achieve their goals. I also lead the 9:30-10:00 pace group for our Saturday morning training runs. I am excited to meet and run with everyone

Chris Thomas

4:30 Lead Pacer

Chris began his running journey in high school competing in cross country and track followed by one year collegiately as a walk on at Western Kentucky University.  Chris completed his first marathon in 2008 and has since competed in many different road and trail races ranging in distance from 26.2 to 100 miles. This will be his first year as a pacer and he is excited to help everyone achieve their race day goals!

Dustin Hall

5:00 Lead Pacer

After losing 300 pounds, Dustin discovered a true love for running. He has completed 6 marathons, pacing 5 of them, and found his passion in helping others reach their goals. This year, Dustin is chasing a Guinness World Record attempt for the fastest marathon by someone who once weighed over 500 pounds, aiming for a 3:30 finish. He lives in Clarksville, Tennessee with his wife and two children, and finds joy in pacing, encouraging, and running alongside others chasing their dreams.

• 2025 Race Results
• 2025 Virtual Race Results
• 2024 Race Results
• 2023 Race Results
• 2022 - 2012 Race Results (selectable by year on this page)

Check here for weekly training plan and printable route PDFs! 

bg26.2 Training Plans

bg26.2 Group Run Routes

bg26.2 Printable Race Course Routes

bgKids Training Log

GPX Files for Race Courses

bg6000 Course on MapMyRun

bgHalf Course on MapMyRun

bg26.2 Course on MapMyRun

Race Day Parking Map 

Pace Leaders

Our training runs are led by a group of dedicated volunteers who run at different paces so nobody gets left behind

Margaret - 10:30 - 11:00/mi  Pace Leader

Race history: 4 half marathons. 1 of those half’s was with BG 26.2. Been running for 10 years. All for fun that’s why I’m the 10:30-11:00 pacer!  I’m from Louisville. Fun fact: ASICS are my favorite running shoe but I’m in Saucony’s right now. 

Korey - 9:30- 10:00/mi Pace Leader

Hey everyone, I am Korey Vaughn and I am the training coach for the BG 26.2 Half and Full marathon. I started running consistently in 2023. I have learned a lot since then and have had many great experiences. I am excited to be able to help others work towards and achieve their goals. I will be leading the 9:30-10:00 pace group for our Saturday morning training runs. I am excited to meet and run with everyone!

Jeremy -Sub 8:00/mi Pace Leader

Jeremy’s adventure in running began in 2020.  Since then, he has completed 1 full marathon, 7 half marathons, and multiple 5K/10K races throughout KY & TN.  He will be running his first ultra marathon as a relay member in 2025.  Along with running with the bg26.2 crew on Saturdays, he is also a member of the Bowling Green Running Club.  Jeremy is excited about pacing a group and looking forward to this training block.