If you haven’t signed up yet, today’s news might be the encouragement that you need. In response to many requests from previous marathon participants, we’re thrilled to announce that the 2012 full-marathon course will include a run through Ohio Stadium. It’s the same flat, fast course our marathoners have come to love, but this year, runners and walkers will enter the stadium from the southeast corner and head down the same ramp that Ohio State football players use to take the field. Then, participants will cross in front of the south stands before exiting the stadium via the southwest ramp that OSU opponents use.

Lets recap some of the exciting new changes:

• The ½ marathon course will remain unchanged but after the 1/2 marathoners split off at High Street/Nationwide Boulevard, the marathoners will continue to travel over the spectacular Lane Avenue Bridge and pass directly by the Jerome Schottenstein Center on their way to the Ohio Stadium.

• After exiting Ohio Stadium, runners will reconnect with Woody Hayes Drive, and head west toward Upper Arlington.

• Runners and walkers will then travel west along Waltham Road to Cambridge Boulevard and South to King Avenue.

So, who else is excited about this exciting update to our course? If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to register!

We all love a good game of hide-and-go-seek, so as we get ready to reveal some more BIG marathon news (hint: it’s about the course!), we thought it’d be fun to hold a game of hide-and-go-seek with our Central Ohio friends and supporters. But, our version has a twist – it’s Tweet and Go Seek.

Starting Wednesday, Feb. 1 we’ll be hosting Tweet and Go Seek on Twitter and give you the opportunity to join in the fun and win prizes! To participate, follow us on Twitter, @cbusmarathon, for clues and updates!

Here’s how to play:

What: Tweet and Go Seek is like a scavenger hunt.

When: Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where: Along the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon course

How: Over the three days, we’ll hide 26 4”x4” tiles for you to find. On Wednesday we’ll hide 8 tiles, and Thursday and Friday we’ll hide 9 tiles per day.

We’ll tweet from @cbusmarathon and @tweetandgoseek a picture of each tile and clues to its location on the half hour during the specified timeframe. You can also follow the #cbusmarathon hashtag for all Tweet and Go Seek updates and clues.

The first person to find the tile (which you get to keep!) and tweet a photo of it and the tile number to us @cbusmarathon wins a prize! We’ve teamed up with Second Sole, who will be providing a $5 gift card to each winner.

Questions? Tweet them to us @cbusmarathon.

We hope you’ll join us Wednesday!

FIRST: The Columbus Marathon and Nationwide Insurance announced Nationwide Children’s Hospital as the title beneficiary for the event. We’ve also given the race a new name, The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon.

SECOND: It may have a new name, but it is still the same great race, and this year the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon will have a very special focus on engaging the community to gain corporate and participant support of Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s non-profit mission.

The Columbus Marathon has always had a strong focus on supporting charities, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, the Hospice Foundation’s Run to Remember, The Susan G. Komen For the Cure’s Marathon for the Cure and the American Cancer Society’s Team Determination. These and other charities will be encouraged to continue their fundraising efforts alongside the Nationwide Children’s Hospital goals.

THIRD: To kick-off the spirit of charitable giving, we’re issuing a “call to commit.” We’ll match the first $100,000 in donations made to Nationwide Children’s Hospital raised by our participants in the 2012 race.

FOURTH: To pay tribute and honor the millions of patients Nationwide Children’s Hospital cares for annually, each of the 26 miles, called “Miracle Miles,” will be dedicated to a “Patient Champion” – a current patient of Nationwide Children’s.

You will have the opportunity to nominate a child as a Patient Champion (stay tuned as we’ll share more details about nominating a child soon!). Patient Champions will also be involved in other aspects of the event, from cheering participants on at the finish line, to presenting the marathon medals. Also, each Miracle Mile can be sponsored by a corporate or community organization.

Today at the press conference, we introduced Alison Hile as the very first Patient Champion who will represent the “Nationwide Insurance Miracle Mile.” Alison, 11, has been a patient of Nationwide Children’s since she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis just days after being born. Alison and her family lead an active lifestyle and love to run. Running is a very healthy activity for Alison’s lungs and is an important part of her continued treatment as a patient living with cystic fibrosis.

FIFTH: In celebration of the Columbus Bicentennial, there will be commemorative activities and recognitions at the Race Expo, Start Line and Celebration Village, including hundreds of runners and walkers holding up large Bicentennial banners at the start line, and more. Also, every 200^th finisher will receive a special award.

SIXTH: Our race field has increased! Now even more of you can participate in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon. We have the capacity for 7,000 full Marathoners and 11,000 ½ Marathoners.

We are honored to continue to make an impact on the community, and to use running and walking to not only make a difference in the lives of our participants’ health, but in the lives of others, too. Join us in supporting Nationwide Children’s Hospital and register for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon or ½ Marathon this Saturday!

Here are a few fun facts found in the study:

• Since the event’s inception in 1980, the marathon has infused more than $154 million into the local economy
• Each participant contributes $767
• On average, each dollar of participant registration fees generated $10 of positive impact on Central Ohio
• The Columbus Marathon is the third-largest sporting event in Columbus, in terms of spectators and participants
• The estimated healthcare savings for Central Ohio was $687,055, based on an estimated 2,005 Central Ohioans becoming physically active as a result of the event

We’re already looking forward to next year’s race – which will be bigger and better. Remember, you can claim your spot by registering on Jan. 21, 2012!

Registration to the 2012 Columbus Marathon

We may be biased, but this is quite possibly the best gift a runner or walker in your life could receive: Give someone registration to next year’s race! Registration opens Jan. 21, 2012!

New Running/Walking Shoes

Pictured above: ASICS GEL-KINSEI GEL 4s

The off-season can be the perfect time to break in a new pair of training shoes. Not sure what type of shoes to buy? Here are some useful shoe guides here and here.

Medal Hangers

Pictured above: Medal Display

Need something to hang your 2011 Columbus Marathon medal on? Proudly show off your accomplishments with a special place to hang your medals.

GPS Watch

Pictured above: Nike+Sportswatch GPS

Always find your way back home with a sports watch with GPS capabilities. This handy training accessory can also help you stay on track with your mileage and time.

Socks

Pictured above: Balega Socks

Socks may sound like a lame gift, but to a runner and walker, socks that can provide ventilation, comfort and prevent blisters are a dream come true.

Post-Run/Walk Recovery Tools

Pictured above: The Stick

Give your runner/walker some relief after a rigorous workout with the tools they need to recover.

Healthy Snacks

Pictured above: Navitas Naturals

Pre- and -post workout snacks make the perfect stocking stuffer!

Winter Running Gear

Pictured above: Under Armour

Don’t let the cold hold you back from training outside. Outfit your runner/walker with clothing that will keep the sweat out and the warmth in.

Portable Music Device

Pictured above: Ipod shuffle

A portable running device can keep runners and walkers motivated throughout the long miles, and not be a hassle to carry around. Most music players have the option to clip on, or be put in a case that fits around your arm as you move.

Sunglasses

Pictured above: Optic Nerve Eyeque

Even though the temps outside may be frigid, the sun is still strong and your eyes need to be protected. Eliminate glare and shield your eyes from the sun’s rays.

Jogging Stroller

Pictured above: Tike Tech All Terrain X3 Sport Stroller

Don’t let the kids slow you down, take them with you! If you’re a family on the go, a jogging stroller is a must-have item.

Beanie

Pictured above: Asics Thermopolis LT Beanie

When heading out for a winter trek, it’s important cover your head and ears as that will keep your entire body warm. A beanie or hat that’s designed for runners and walkers will have a fit snug and keep out moisture for extra comfort.

Running Belt

Pictured Above: Nathan Speed 4R Waist Pack with Four 8-Ounce Nutrition Flasks

The running belt is the ideal all-in-one training accessory as it provides a place to carry water, energy snacks, identification and medical forms.

Running Themed Jewelry

Pictured above: Silver Charms

A fun and sentimental gift idea, running themed jewelry can be a small push of confidence during training or just a little reminder that you can do anything when you put your mind to it.

We hope these last-minute gift ideas have inspired and helped you to find the perfect gift for your runner or walker. From all of us at the Columbus Marathon, we wish you and your loved ones a happy holidays!

Dave blazes through the marathon course.

This is a guest post from marathoner, Dave Parsons.

Wow, we did it!

This post is for all of you walkers, runners and wheelchair athletes who toed the starting line and then did whatever it took to get across the finish line. Whether you won your age category, set a new PR, or had to use every single bit of energy you possessed to drag yourself across that finish line, we did it…together!

A year ago, I ran my first half marathon in this race. I went out way too fast and was pretty well wiped out by the end. I didn’t enjoy the slow trot up High Street, but I knew that the finish line awaited and I made it. I had trained primarily on flat roads and had not worked at pacing much at all. I finished that race in 1:45 and change. From about the halfway point on, I was mentally out of it and just went through the motions to get it done. I knew that I would do another one, but I had no plans of running a full marathon any time soon.

Crossing the finish line!

As the weeks after the race began to tick away, I began to think about some goals for 2011. I vowed to never let go of the desire to have fun in a race again, even if that meant sacrificing pace and energy to give high fives, interact with spectators and volunteers, and generally soak up the atmosphere. I put away the iPod and decided to run without music as well.

With the help and encouragement from my local running group, the Mount Vernon Running Buddies, five of us made a commitment to sign up for the full Columbus Marathon with four of us being first-timers. We ran through the cold and ice in January and February, the rainy spring, and the sweltering summer. We got so used to the 6 a.m. pre-dawn start times that we almost didn’t need to set our alarms any more. We stuck to our training as much as possible through summer vacations and injuries, and the anticipation continued to grow as race day approached. We continued to get more and more nervous about the race, but at the same time more and more optimistic about what we thought our times could be.

Well, as you know, race day came and the weather was perfect. OK, maybe a little windy at spots, but all in all a perfect day. There was plenty of energy at the starting line and then the crowds, volunteers, and bands along the route did their part in cheering us on from there.

Dave Parsons, a marathoner.

Early in my training for this race, I became a little obsessed with trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon and set my sights on trying to run a 3:15, which is what I would need for the 40-44 age group in 2013. However, injuries leading up to race day derailed that and I focused more on giving it my best while at the same time soaking up every aspect of the race. After all, you only get one first marathon.

That change in perspective proved to be extremely valuable as there is no way that I would have qualified for Boston on my first attempt needing that time and I would have missed out on a lot of the fun aspects of the event as well.

A marathon is not easy. If it was, everyone would do it. I still set a lofty goal of trying to stay with the 3:25 pace group (7:49 pace) and actually was ahead of them through the first 17 miles of the race. I felt really good. Around mile 19, though, I started to have stomach issues that made the rest of the race a challenge for me physically as one thing led to another. (For an in-depth look at my race, you can click here).

Despite the challenges that forced me to slow down considerably over the final seven miles, I still continued to enjoy the race. I know I made people laugh when at one water stop right before mile 23 I scored a doughnut and ate it as I continued on my journey. I was able to summon the strength to run a 9:47 pace for the final mile and then picked it up even more as I turned the corner to go down the hill to the finish. I crossed the line in 3:52:04. I was a MARATHONER!!!

If you are a runner and you ran this race with me, congratulations on being a part of something that is much bigger than any of us. If you were a spectator, thank you cheering us on. If you were a volunteer, many, many thanks for sacrificing your day to help us. And finally, to the great staff who put on this event, thank you for a first-class race that is now officially the biggest marathon in the state, but so interactive that it feels like you know the person running on either side of you. The Columbus Marathon is an amazing event and I would not have wanted any other race to have been my first.

Ohioans won both the men and women’s divisions in the 2011 Nationwide Insurance Columbus Marathon, and the event became Ohio’s largest 26.2 mile footrace this year.

Matt Folk, from Perrysburg, won the full marathon with a time of 2:19:47, just seconds away from qualifying for the Olympics, and Ann Alyanak, from Bellbrook, was the first female finisher at 2:41:53. In the half marathon race, Jason Ordway came in first at 1:05:11 and Mariska Kramer set an event record with a time of 1:13:52. Chad Johnson won the wheelchair division in a time of 1:47:15.

After completing the race, participants reunited with friends and family in Celebration Village to stretch and cool down, reflect on their 13.1- or 26.2-mile journey and soak in the victory of crossing the finish line.

2011 Nationwide Insurance Columbus Marathon Recap from dan farkas on Vimeo.

Tip 30: Read these last minute reminders to make sure you’re 100% ready for tomorrow!

We can’t even count down today, because there’s only ONE DAY until the marathon.

It’s hard to believe that the last 30 days flew by so quickly and tomorrow is THE DAY! So now, without further adieu, here are the last minute reminders to make sure you are fully prepared to cross the starting line tomorrow and conquer the 13.1- or 26.2-mile journey.

• If you haven’t already, pick up your race day packet TODAY! The Expo is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. We can’t stress how important this is as there is NO race day packet pick-up. If you’re unable to come, have a friend or family member bring a copy of your ID to pick it up. Make sure you stop by and while you’re there check out the 120 information booths and seminars!
• Be in your corral by 7:20 a.m. tomorrow morning. Click here for more information about the corrals.
• Wear your BibTag timing device on the outside of your clothing and do not fold or bend it to ensure it works properly.
• Click here to check which roads are closed before heading downtown.
• Most importantly, have fun and be proud of all you accomplished!!

For more details on the final instructions, click here.

“Why do you run?”

This is a common question asked of runners because we all have our own personal reasons for loving the sport so much. It’s fun, and many times very inspiring, to find out what really motivates each runner to hit the pavement several times a week, reaching mileage of 26.2 or even more sometimes! “I run so I can eat what I want”, “I run because I can”, “I run because it’s cheaper than therapy”, “I run in memory of a loved one”, “I run to raise money for a great cause”, “I run because I beat a disease”…and so many more, these are just some of the ones that quickly come to mind.

My own reason for running is very personal, “I run to prove to my body that it IS capable of something amazing” (with a little of “so I can eat what I want” & “because it’s cheaper than therapy” too!). My desire to run a marathon in particular has absolutely been fueled by my need to prove this exact statement to my body! I’ve been dealing with Primary Infertility for 4 years now and I am so sick and tired of feeling like my body is failing me time and time again. It’s like my mind and my body have been separated for several years now and it’s time for them to unite for a change!

Although, running for over 4 hours straight will not give me what I have ultimately been longing for, it will bring me a much needed sense of physical accomplishment. It will mean that I set out to achieve a goal for myself that most people would call a little crazy and I will find SUCCESS instead of failure for a change. The training alone has already allowed me to feel some control in my life again after so many years of feeling so helplessly out of control. I think about our TTC (trying to conceive) struggles a lot while I run; I also think about the race day itself. I know that every step I take that day will be empowering, healing and full of reconnection of mind, body and soul for me. This race means so much to me and I know it will be a very emotional finish. There may be some tears of pain, but most will be happy tears of “Wow! Look what you just accomplished!”.

I know I will not be the only woman, or person for that matter, who will be running to prove my same statement to their own bodies. The mental healing aspect of running has been a life saver to me on many occasions and I know many runners have similar experiences. We all face situations we are powerless over, fertility related and beyond, but it’s important to keep perspective on what we DO have control over. I for one, cannot wait for race day to feel a level of accomplishment I haven’t felt in awhile!

Best of luck to all my fellow Columbus Marathon runners, for not only accomplishing your race day goals, but in also finding success in the struggles and challenges life will throw at you! Remember, if life starts to get you down, just throw on those running shoes!

Happy Running!