Race Information

Reminder: There is no race day packet pickup or registration!

Get early bird pricing through July 31: You have until 11:59 p.m. on July 31 to register for the early bird price of $65 for the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and $50 for the 1/2 Marathon. Don't wait -- register today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run or walk with an iPod or other personal music device?

The short answer is yes. USA Track & Field has amended Rule 144.3, which pertains to the use of headphones and other electronic devices, to enable race directors to choose to allow the use of headphones by runners in non-championship races. To that end, the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon will allow its participants to use an iPod or other personal listening device, but we ask that you keep the volume at a level that enables you to be alert to your surroundings in case there is an emergency. The only exception to this new rule is elite athletes (any athlete competing for prize money) – they are not allowed to use iPods.

What timing device is the event using?

The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon will be using the D-Tag timing device. The D-Tag is an all-weather tag that you will peel off your bib and place on your shoe to record your time. Please take a moment to review the directions; if you fail to wear your D-Tag properly, your time may not be recorded. NO D-TAG = NO TIME! Also, there will be no fee assessed for not returning the D-TAG.

How old must you be to participate in the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon or 1/2 Marathon?

You must be 16 years of age (as of 10/17/10) to participate in the full marathon and 12 years of age to participate in the 1/2 marathon.

Are you allowed to push a jogging stroller in any of the races?

No. You are not allowed to run or walk while pushing a jogging stroller or wheelchair. Additionally, bicyclists (with the exception of marathon-sanctioned bicycle athlete escorts), rollerbladers, dogs, etc. are not allowed on the course -- only registered participants are allowed on the racecourse during the event.

Can I pick up someone else's race packet at the Expo?

We do allow this, however you MUST bring a copy of their ID and the email that will be sent in October from our timer with the assigned bib number.

Can I exchange my participant shirt for a different size at the Expo?

When you pick up your race packet, you will receive the size shirt that you ordered when you registered. If shirts are available after the race, then you may exchange yours from the supply that is on hand. 

Can I have friends and family following my time on Race Day?

Yes! Our friends at Huber+Co Interactive have developed a Twitter app called TweetMyTime. You can register at www.tweetmytime.com for free and your time will automatically be tweeted to your followers at five different points throughout the marathon -- the start, 10K, 1/2 marathon, 20K and finish. The 1/2 marathoners will be able to tweet out their times at three areas -- the start, 10K and finish. Additionally, friends and family can track your progress online on Race Day through a link that will be provided on the home page of the Web site.

What are the Start Times for the respective events?

Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010
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. 17, 2010
Wheelchair and Handcycle Division Start:            7:25 a.m.         
Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Start:                        7:30 a.m.
Corporate Wellness 5K:                                        7:45 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
 
2010 Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon Start
Third and Broad St.
 
2010 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?
Review a map developed by Experience Columbus here.
Start Area
  • 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
Bexley
  • Parking lot on the corner of Parkview and Main Streets next to Fisherman's Warf
  • Residential streets in the vicinity.
German Village
  • 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
Upper Arlington
  • 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:
  • 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 Fluid Stations are on the course?
There are 21 fluid stations on the course. At each station there will be tables -- the first set of tables will offer Gatorade and the last set will offer water.
 
How many energy gel stations are on the course?
There are two stations on the course at mile 7.5 and 16.
 
Can I drop off my extra runner gear to pick up at the finish line?
Yes...drop off is at the start of the race at the corner of Broad and High Streets.  Pick up is at the end of the food line (which is just beyond the Finish Line.). Additionally, any extra clothes that you decide to throw off in the first mile or so will be collected, washed by a volunteer and given to homeless people in our community.
 
Where do I meet my family?
In Celebration Village which is located in McFerson Commons (just beyond the Finish Line.)
 
How do we line up at the start?
Line up according to pace -- if you keep a 6-minute mile pace, please line up at the front of the field. If you keep a 10-minute-mile or more pace, please line up toward the back of the field.
 
What is the course elevation?
The course is relatively flat and there is only about 100 ft. of difference in elevation throughout the 26 mile course.
 
Is there entertainment along the course?
Yes! There will be more than 65 live bands and radio stations 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. 18. 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 Clif Bar Pace Team 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 Clif Bar 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 FaceBook fan page and we have a Columbus Marathon Twitter page.