COLUMBUS, Ohio – A field of 18,000 will snake its way through downtown, German Village, the campus area and other Columbus neighborhoods Sunday in the 35th running of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.
Various roads in the area of the start/finish line in the North Bank Park area will be closed beginning Friday and, on Sunday, the course will be subject to rolling closures, based upon the expected time the first and last athlete passes each mile of the course.
EXTRA: Complete list of street closings
The marathon is the 17th largest in the U.S. and the largest in Ohio. The hospital has raised more than $2 million in the first two years of a partnership with the event. With spectators, the event is expected to draw 50,0000 people to the downtown area, according to Columbus city officials.
Returning participants will notice some route changes in the section of the course that travels through the historic neighborhoods of Olde Town East and Harrison West. The route will travel along 18th Street in Olde Town East, and 3rd Avenue in Harrison West.
EXTRA: Course maps
Organizers are most excited about the section of the course that takes runners past Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Race organizers hope the combined start/finish site at North Bank Park, at Long Street and Neil Avenue, will prove safer and more convenient for the runners, walkers and wheelchair racers, as well as spectators. Pre- and post-race activities, restrooms, gear check, informational displays, entertainment offerings and spectator seating will all be concentrated in the area.
In conjunction with the race, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon Health & Fitness Expo will take place on Friday, from noon to 7:00 pm, and Saturday, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, at the Battelle Grand Ballroom at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, featuring more than 100 health and fitness related booths.