INVITED ATHLETE INFORMATION

​

The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon invites elite athletes to apply for special Start Line privileges at our 2024 race.  

NCHCM 2024 ELITE APPLICATION

To be considered for elite status, please provide the requested information via the link above. You will not be eligible for elite status if the form is not completed. A confirmation email will be sent within 10 days of submitting this form. Additional information in support of your request may be sent to johnmartin@columbusmarathon.com.

 

2024 Elite Standards:
 

• Any male or female runner or wheelchair athlete who has won our Marathon or ½ Marathon in the past is eligible for complimentary entry in our 2024 event as well as all privileges listed below

​

• Athletes who meet our Tier 1 Qualification Standards are eligible for:

  • Half-price race entry;

  • Access to Elite Start Tent;

  • Access to Elite Starting Corral; and

  • Elite Fluid Stations on course 

​

• Athletes who meet our Tier 2 Qualification Standards are eligible for:

  • Access to Elite Start Tent;​

  • Access to Elite Starting Corral; and

  • Elite Fluid Stations on course

​

• Athletes registered for our event and seeking access to our Elite Corral, located closest to the Start Line ahead of the general race field, must submit official finisher results from a Marathon or ½ Marathon run between October 1, 2020 and August 31, 2024 faster than the following times:

​

​

TIER 1 QUALIFYING TIMES

Men

• Marathon: 2:30

• 1/2 Marathon: 1:05

• Marathon Wheelchair: 1:45

• 1/2 Marathon Wheelchair: 0:45

​

Women​

• Marathon: 2:45

• 1/2 Marathon: 1:15

• Marathon Wheelchair: 2:05

• 1/2 Marathon Wheelchair: :55

​

​

TIER 2 QUALIFYING TIMES

Men

• Marathon: 2:45

• 1/2 Marathon: 1:20

• Marathon Wheelchair: 1:55

• 1/2 Marathon Wheelchair: 0:50

​

Women​

• Marathon: 3:10

• 1/2 Marathon: 1:30

• Marathon Wheelchair: 2:15

• 1/2 Marathon Wheelchair: 1:00

​

​

FULL MARATHON ELITE ATHLETES: Please note that the deadline for changing events is Sept. 15, 2024. If you choose to compete in the 1/2 Marathon event using your assigned full marathon number, you will NOT be eligible for prize money or awards.

​

Changes to entries will not be accepted after end-of-day September 15, 2024. There are no exceptions.

​​

REMINDER for 2024:  Race packets must be picked-up by the athlete at the Columbus Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. Race packets will not be mailed and will not be available Sunday morning, unless you paid $30 for Reserve Packet Pick-up when you registered.

​

INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES:  The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon does not issue invitation letters in connection with visa applications.  International athletes living in the United States or already in possession of a visa are encouraged to apply for elite status.

​

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• To conform to national and international rules, sanctioned events may only award prize money to those athletes with valid USATF membership. A current USATF registration number must be presented at packet pickup.

​

• To avoid a 30% tax on your prize money, US citizens and resident foreign athletes must possess a Social Security number and provide a completed W9. Non-resident athletes are subject to a 30% federal Income tax withholding. For more information contact the national USATF office at 317-261-0500.

​

• USATF Rule 245.1 "The order in which the athletes cross the finish line will be the official finish position." Elite Men's and Women's awards in the marathon and the 1/2 marathon will be based on gun time (the order in which the athletes cross the finish line).

​

• OTQ: The course is USATF/IAAF/AIMS certified with an active course certification and has an elevation loss no greater than 3.25 meters/km.