COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon Half Marathon have sold out in record time.
The field of 18,000 athletes competing in the events on Oct. 19 filled up more than a month ahead of time, race director Darris Blackford says.
He credits the partnership with the hospital and the marathon’s growing national reputation as a fast and fun course as the main reasons for the fast sell-out.
“With a new start and finish line, more than 100 entertainers along the course, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital patient champions along every mile, we’re becoming a must attend event in the running world,” Blackford said.
Blackford says 7,000 participants — more than 10 percent of them qualified for the Boston Marathon –will compete in the full marathon, and 11,000 will take part in the half marathon.
The 35th annual Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon will start at North Bank Park near downtown Columbus at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19.