Air Force Marathon
The Air Force Marathon offers a unique race experience on a historic military base.
Race Date
Sep 19, 2026
Location
Dayton, OH
Quick facts
- Date
- Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Location
- Dayton, Ohio
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2M, 10K, 5K run | kids run
- Course
- Point to Point
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 70,879
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
Held annually at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Air Force Marathon presents a unique opportunity to run on active military grounds. This event, first run in 2003 and now in its 23rd edition, draws participants from across approximately 50 states.
The course is a certified, net-downhill point-to-point route, designed for speed. With minimal elevation changes and a slight drop, it’s a prime candidate for personal bests. Runners can expect a fast race, with typical winning times around 70 minutes.
The atmosphere is a blend of patriotic pride and runner camaraderie. Approximately 23% of participants are repeat runners, a testament to the event's enduring appeal. The race concludes with a celebratory finish, marking a successful completion of this distinctive endurance challenge.
Race-provided description
The Air Force Marathon is an annual endurance event held the third Saturday of September at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Point to Point
Terrain
road
Scenery
Urban
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
+0.05 m
Separation
1.6%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
OH19027MW · Air Force Marathon Half Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Course Map
Quality Score
Runner Favorite8824 years running
~2,262 finishers a year
growing or steady
22% returning runners
USATF certified · 3 timing sources · 4 photos
runners from 49 states
winner 1:05:44
typical high 82°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
61°
Afternoon (High)
82°
Hot conditions — adjust pace expectations, prioritize hydration
0.1"
Precipitation
8 mph
Wind
66%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 70,879 finishers actually crossed the line across 24 years.
Most recent
2026
Total finishers
70,879
Median time
2:27:25
Latest turnout
2,815
States
51
Turnout by year
2019–2026
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Air Force Marathon?
The Air Force Marathon was held on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Where does the Air Force Marathon take place?
It takes place in Dayton, Ohio.
What distances does the Air Force Marathon offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2M, 10K, 5K run | kids run.
Is the Air Force Marathon course flat and good for a PR?
The Air Force Marathon is a ultra-flat, point to point course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Air Force Marathon?
HalfRuns has finish records for 70,879 runners who have completed the Air Force Marathon.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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