Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon

The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon, first run in 1980, features a flat, fast course which saw nearly 20 percent of finishers qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2010. That year, the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon once again sold out at 15,000 athletes, the fourth sell-out in a row. The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon has been a favorite of runners for more than three decades. Currently in its 32nd year, the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon solidifies Ohio as one of the premiere racing states in the country. This year, the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon expects more than 100 elite athletes to participate in Sunday’s events. Joining the elites will be an expected field of more than 17,000 runners. The 17,000 participants toeing the line at this year’s Columbus Marathon will represent the largest field in the marathon’s history. Known for its fast course, the Columbus Marathon features the elevation profile of a cornfield. Only differentiating from start to finish by an elevation change of 50ft., many use the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon as an accessible means of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Nationwide Children’s Hospital is honored to be the title beneficiary for the Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. So far, more than $4.5 million has been raised for the Hospital.

The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon, first run in 1980, features a flat, fast course which saw nearly 20 percent of finishers qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2010. That year, the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon once again sold out at 15,000 athletes, the fourth sell-out in a row. The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon has been a favorite of runners for more than three decades. Currently in its 32nd year, the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon solidifies Ohio as one of the premiere racing states in the country. This year, the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon expects more than 100 elite athletes to participate in Sunday’s events. Joining the elites will be an expected field of more than 17,000 runners. The 17,000 participants toeing the line at this year’s Columbus Marathon will represent the largest field in the marathon’s history. Known for its fast course, the Columbus Marathon features the elevation profile of a cornfield. Only differentiating from start to finish by an elevation change of 50ft., many use the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon as an accessible means of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Nationwide Children’s Hospital is honored to be the title beneficiary for the Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. So far, more than $4.5 million has been raised for the Hospital.

The course begins in downtown Columbus and takes athletes east through Bexley, Ohio, past the Governor’s Mansion and Capital University; back through the festive neighborhood of Old Town East; south through German Village; up High Street through downtown Columbus and the Short North Arts District; a jaunt through the Ohio State University and through Upper Arlington, through the tree-lined streets of Victorian Village and back to a huge crowd awaiting finishers at the North Bank Park.

The cloverleaf design of the course also makes it easy for spectators to see their athletes at several different points – all within a block walking distance through Bexley, Ohio, past the Governor’s Mansion and Capital University; back through the festive neighborhood of Old Town East; south through German Village; up High Street through downtown Columbus and the Short North Arts District; a jaunt through the Ohio State University and through Upper Arlington, through the tree-lined streets of Victorian Village and back to Nationwide Arena.