The bg26.2 & half marathon and bg6000 takes place at 300 8th Avenue in Bowling Green, Kentucky on October 31st, 2026. The event offers multiple distance options including a 1K, 3.728 miles, a half marathon, and a full 26.2-mile marathon. Races begin at 4:00 PM. Both running and wheelchair divisions are available across the distances. Entry fees range from free to $145.00 depending on the event selected. If you're unable to attend in person, the race organizers provide a virtual participation option, allowing you to complete your chosen distance on your own course and timeline. Consider booking accommodations in advance given the range of distances and the evening start time for this Halloween-weekend event.
From the Race Organizer
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
Hotels Near This Race
Find accommodation close to the start line in Bowling Green, KY. Sorted by distance from the race venue. Book early — race weekend hotels fill fast.
RaceHotelFinder earns a small commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Results are sorted by distance from the race venue.
bg26.2 & half marathon and bg6000 2026 — Bowling Green, KY
Race weekend dates pre-loaded on Booking.com. RaceHotelFinder may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for October 31.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Bowling Green, KY.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
When is bg26.2 & half marathon and bg6000 2026 — Bowling Green, KY?
bg26.2 & half marathon and bg6000 2026 — Bowling Green, KY takes place on October 31, 2026. The race is held in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Where is bg26.2 & half marathon and bg6000 2026 — Bowling Green, KY held?
bg26.2 & half marathon and bg6000 2026 — Bowling Green, KY is held at 300 8th Avenue in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Where can I find hotels near bg26.2 & half marathon and bg6000 2026 — Bowling Green, KY?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Bowling Green. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
