COLUMBUS, Ohio – Thousands of runners and walkers will step off from the intersection of 3rd and Broad Streets Sunday morning for the 34th running of the Columbus Marathon and Half-Marathon.
The event will cause a number of street closings along the route.
Some additional security measures will be in place. Races across the country are tightening security in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing in April.
Organizers expect a sold-out field of 7,000 marathoners and 11,000 half-marathoners from all 50 states and more than 10 countries to run all or part of the 26.2-mile course, which winds through numerous Columbus neighborhoods, including the Ohio State campus and Ohio Stadium, one of the city’s most iconic locations.
This is the second year the race has been affiliated with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The 2012 race generated more than $925,000 to support various hospital and patient causes, organizers say.
Start-time is 7:30 a.m. for wheelchairs, walkers and runners and the course will remain open until 3:00 p.m.
More than 100 musical acts will perform along the course.
The Columbus Marathon is the nation’s 17th largest and is one of the top qualifying events for the Boston Marathon.