Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Start Times for the respective events?
Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009
Ringling Bros. Red Nose Children’s Run Expo, 10:00 a.m. – noon
Clown Parade at noon
Races start at 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009
Wheelchair and Handcycle Division Start: 7:27 a.m.
Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Start: 7:30 a.m.
Corporate Wellness 5K: 8:00 a.m.
What are the locations for the events?
Ringling Bros. Red Nose Children’s Run
Franklin Park Adventure Center (1747 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43203
2009 Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon Start
Third and Broad St.
2009 Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon Finish
Nationwide Blvd., just east of McConnell St.
Where should we park for the start, along the course or at the finish?
- Columbus City Center parking garages
- Statehouse Parking Garage
- Parking lots/garages on the corner of Third and Gay Streets
- Parking lots/garages on the corner of Long and Third Streets
- All meters downtown are free on Sunday
- Parking lot on the corner of Parkview and Main Streets next to Fisherman's Warf
- Residential streets in the vicinity.
- Golden Hobby Shop located on the corner of Sycamore and Third Streets
- Old Engine House #5 Lot on the corner of Thurman and Fourth Streets
- Residential streets in the vicinity
- Ohio Funeral Directors Association on the corner of College Hill Drive and N. Starr Road
- Businesses on the South side of Lane Avenue, East of Starr Road
Finish Area
There are more than 15,000 parking spaces available within a 10-minute walk of Nationwide Arena, including the following Arena District lots and garages:
There are more than 15,000 parking spaces available within a 10-minute walk of Nationwide Arena, including the following Arena District lots and garages:
- Front Street Garage
- Chestnut Street Garage
- Arena Crossing Garage
- Neil Ave. Garage
- Marconi Blvd. Garage
- Arena West surface parking lot
- Vine Street surface parking lot
- Front Street surface parking lot
°The Columbus Marathon cannot guarantee parking availability in any of these lots due to changing schedules and lack of ownership. Spectators and participants are responsible for any parking fee charged by those who own the lot.
How many Aid Stations are on the course?
There are 21 aid stations on the course that will have Gatorade Endurance lemon lime formula and water. Please view the course map for specific locations.
How many ClifShot stations are on the course?
There are two ClifShot stations on the course.
Can I drop off my extra runner gear to pick up at the finish line?
Yes… at the corner of Broad Street and High Street – pick up at the end of the food line.
Where do I meet my family?
In Celebration Village in McFerson commons after the finish.
How do we line up at the start?
Please pay attention to the pace signs that will be lined up at various intervals behind the start line. Choose the pace that you’ve been training at (i.e. if you train at a 9-minute mile pace, please line up behind the 9-minute mile or 4 hour pace signs)
What is the course elevation?
Please refer to the elevation map; however, there is only about 100 ft. of difference in elevation throughout the 26 mile course.
Is there entertainment along the course?
Yes! Last year we had 51 live bands and various neighborhood parties along the route to keep you going!
What are the best places for your spectators to watch along the course?
Check out this map to plan the best places to wait for your athlete along the course on Oct. 19. Following is a description of what you'll see along the way:
- E. Broad and Third Streets is where you'll catch the start of the 2009 Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and a record number of runners and walkers as they embark on their journey.
- Drexel and Main Streets in Bexley is a perfect place to take in the fall colors and amazing homes as the runners pass by.
- Bryden and Third Streets is a great spot to greet runners as they turn the corner to head south to German Village.
- Schiller Park in German Village is bordered by Reinhard, Jaeger and Deshler Streets. This is one of Columbus's oldest and most scenic parks — you'll enjoy walking from one side to the other to cheer on your athlete and take part in the German Village Neighborhood Party.
- Short North Arts District on High Street — between Nationwide Blvd. and Fifth Ave. — enjoy window shopping at the art galleries and boutique shops and have a cup of joe from one of the local coffee shops while you wait for your athlete.
- High and Chittenden Streets and High and E. 15th will take you through the east side of campus, including a trek down sorority and fraternity row. Additionally, this area has easy access to the highway, so you have time to see your athlete and get to the finish line.
- Grandview Ave. is when the athletes are really starting to experience the strain of a marathon and need maximum encouragement — this beautiful area has great boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops and plentiful seating for spectators.
- 5th and Neil Avenues is at approximately the 24.5-mile-mark — you can enjoy the beautiful homes of Victorian Village while you cheer your athlete toward the finish line.
- Goodale Park in the Short North is bordered by Buttles and Park Streets, is the 25-mile mark and is a great place to set up camp to cheer athletes through their last mile.
- Nationwide Blvd. by Nationwide Arena is where thousands of spectators line the streets to cheer runners to the finish line.
How do I know when the marathon is coming through my area?
Please refer to the pace chart and the street closings. The wheelchairs and handcylists will come through first and the walkers will come through last – toward the middle and end of the course, these times could be hours apart.
What happens if I’m not keeping the pace I should be?
First of all, we encourage you to run with a pace group. Runners (for the marathon) can visit the ClifShot booth at the Expo to register and walkers (for the ½ marathon only) can visit the New Albany Walking Club booth at the Expo to register. Both are free services provided by ClifShot and the New Albany Walking Club.
If you do fall off pace (17-minute-mile), you will be asked to get into the SAG vehicles following the back of the race.
What time does the course officially close?
The course closes at 11:25 a.m. for the ½ marathon and 3 p.m for the full marathon.
Are there other on line sites for the marathon.
Yes, in addition to www.columbusmarathon.com, there is a Columbus Marathon page on both Facebook and Myspace.
