Register by July 31st for Early Bird Pricing

Welcome to the E-Road To Columbus!

Email blasts keeping you up-to-date with YOUR Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon on Oct. 18, 2009!

• Early Birds Get The Discount Until July 31!
• Kick Off Your Training Or Step It Up!
• Be Our Friend On Facebook! Talk To Us On Twitter!
• Special Cheer Zones Being Established For 2009 Race!
• Hidden Gems Along The Columbus Marathon Course!

Early Birds get the discount until July 31!

Just like when you are running the 30th anniversary Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon this October, the clock is ticking for how much longer you can save money off your race registration!

Until July 31, 2009, early-bird pricing is ONLY $65 for the Marathon and $50 for the ½ Marathon. Register online at the new and improved www.columbusmarathon.com and the only clock you’ll have to beat is the one at the finish line on race day!

Kick off your training or step it up!

The Nationwide Better Health Columbus International Triathlon, July 18 & 19, is a GREAT event for launching or boosting your training for the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon! One of the coolest sports gatherings in Central Ohio, the “CIT” will host several running events including a 10-miler, a 10K and a 5K at Antrim Park and on the Olentangy Bike Path. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Then enter one of the swimming competitions taking place in Antrim Lake, or a triathlon or duathlon event which includes – get this – the opportunity to ride your bike on Route 315! This is a neat experience you’ll remember every time you drive down this highway the rest of the year! Full details and registration information for this fun weekend is at www.fatrabbitracing.com.

Be our friend on facebook!  Talk to us on twitter!

Running might be an age-old pastime, but the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon is hip to new technology – we’re now on Facebook and Twitter! If you are up on these, then you know what to do. If not, sign up today by clicking here!

Special cheer zones being established for 2009 race!

One of the greatest features of the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon is the crowd support, especially at key points along the 26.2-mile course. To enhance the runners’ experience even more while also providing spectators with more places to gather, several “Cheer Zones” are being set up for this year’s race. We will provide noise makers, sign materials and other “fan” tastic things to make the experience great! Here are the three areas we will work to enhance spectator support:

• Franklin Park South – Folks from this neighborhood were on hand for last year’s race to cheer the passing runners, and we are encouraging others to join them in this effort this year!
• Ohio State University – Students wake up! Come out and cheer the runners! To get these sleepy-heads out of bed, we will have giveaways and hold fun contests!
• Grandview Heights – A new addition to the race last year, Grandview Heights had a nice turnout of spectators, and we will work to attract more for 2009!

If you’d like to help us make these “Cheer Zones” the talk of the 2009 race, send an e-mail to sarah@irvinpr.com and we’ll have you work with us!

Hidden gems along the columbus marathon course!

The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon course passes by a variety of the region’s well-known landmarks and through its most popular neighborhoods. Here are a few places along the way you may not be aware of (don’t stop race day, but maybe check them out before or after!):

• Hotel inside the Palace Theater, starting line area. A small lodging facility was operated inside the structure for performers. Front desk is still there!
• Portion of The Berlin Wall at Capital University in Bexley. This huge remnant of the original barrier is located in the school’s library.
• Underground Railroad stop at Kelton House, 586 E. Town St. Located near Grant Hospital, between miles 8 and 9.
• The Byrd Polar Research Center at The Ohio State University, 1090 Carmack Rd., between miles 17 and 18. It is recognized internationally as a leader in polar and alpine research.
• Sells Brothers Circus House, corner Buttles and Dennison avenues. This famous circus was owned by Peter Sells who later sold it to the Bailey Circus – precursor to Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The home even looks like a big top tent. Baby animals born in the winter were said to have stayed in the basement of the house!

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