Home For Freedom Marathon takes place October 16, 2026, in Wichita Falls, Texas, starting at 5:00 PM from 100 Sunset Drive. The event offers three distances: a 1-mile option, a half marathon, and a full 26.2-mile marathon. Entry fees range from $30 to $125 depending on distance and registration timing. The evening start time means runners should plan for temperature and lighting conditions typical of an October sunset run in Texas. This race provides flexibility for athletes of different levels, from those seeking a shorter community run to those training for a full marathon distance.
From the Race Organizer
The Home for Freedom Marathon will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The event features a Full Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K. The Start/Finish line area is located in Lucy Park at the pavilion. A spaghetti dinner will be available for all participants on Friday October 16, 2026 from 5pm - 8pm, at the same time & location as packet pick up. (Location for pre-race spaghetti dinner and packet pickup TBA). Participants in the Full Marathon (26.2 miles), Half Marathon (13.1 miles), and 5K (3.1 miles) will experience a dynamic and scenic route through the center of Wichita Falls. Lucy Park, spanning 178 acres along the Wichita River, offers a picturesque environment with mature pecan and cottonwood trees, as well as a variety of native and introduced species. Notable features include a man-made waterfall (under construction beginning August 2026 thru summer 2028), a swinging bridge over the Big Wichita River, and areas dedicated to the nature center - providing an engaging backdrop for all race distances. Home for Freedom is a Wichita Falls local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to constructing tiny homes for veterans experiencing housing insecurity. The organization has successfully completed its first tiny home, which is now occupied by a veteran who was previously homeless and is benefiting from our program, and tiny home #2 is already underway! https://homeforfreedom.org/ Without any donations, it costs approximately $50,000 to fund the expenses associated with one tiny home. These costs include building materials, furnishings, appliances, and all necessary household and personal items to ensure comfortable living in the tiny home while participating in a holistic social services program alongside a case manager. We are confident that this initiative will have a positive effect on Wichita Falls, TX. The Marathon aims to transcend the traditional race format, fostering community spirit by uniting neighbors, families, and friends in a purposeful manner. Through this effort, our goal is to stimulate local business growth, support charitable organizations, and enhance the overall vibrancy and well-being of our city. For Route, Please Click Here: Route Map Age Groups and Awards: Top 3 Overall Male Top 3 Overall Female Age Groups top 3 (excluding overall winners) 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ Participant T-shirt and finisher medal designs - TBA. ***** Please read the following statements before registering. ***** - Home For Freedom reserves the right to change race route, depending on conditions leading up to and on/during race day. - Home For Freedom will be pursuing Boston Qualifying certification for the full-marathon course, but this is NOT guaranteed and will not be guaranteed until final certification is attained. Home For Freedom will keep participants updated on the qualification status and is making every effort to seek full qualifying race certification for the Boston Marathon as soon as possible. - There will be no refunds permitted for any reason. Transfers will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will only be good to transfer to the next year’s race, for the same event the participant originally registered for. If the participant wants to switch distances after transfer, they may do so once registration for next year’s race officially opens (tentatively December - January of each year). Terms and conditions for switching events/race distances will apply as normal. Home For Freedom Board reserves the right to make final determination on transfer approval. - All packets must be picked up on Friday, October 16, 2026. - There will be no race day packet pickup! - Packets will not be mailed to participants. - Participants unable to come to the packet pickup may have someone else pick up their packet for them. Their representative must show a note authorizing the representative to pick up the packet in order to claim the packet. - There will be no changing races after 11:59 pm on Friday, October 9th, 2026. Up until that point, participants may change events. Please note the following terms and conditions of switching events: If a participant drops down to a shorter race distance, no refund of the registration cost difference will be provided. If a participant switches to a longer race distance, the participant will need to pay the difference in registration costs, based on the date of when the participant chooses to switch to the longer race distance, not based on the cost at the date of original registration. Please use the “Contact Us” feature to assist in changing events.
