INVITED ATHLETE INFORMATION

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2025 elite entries will open February 1.

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2025 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 2025 event as well as all privileges listed below.

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• 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 

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• 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

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• 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, 2021 and August 31, 2025 faster than the following times:

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TIER 1 QUALIFYING TIMES

Men

• Marathon: 2:30

• 1/2 Marathon: 1:05

• Marathon Wheelchair: 1:45

• 1/2 Marathon Wheelchair: 0:45

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Women​

• Marathon: 2:45

• 1/2 Marathon: 1:15

• Marathon Wheelchair: 2:05

• 1/2 Marathon Wheelchair: :55

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TIER 2 QUALIFYING TIMES

Men

• Marathon: 2:45

• 1/2 Marathon: 1:20

• Marathon Wheelchair: 1:55

• 1/2 Marathon Wheelchair: 0:50

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Women​

• Marathon: 3:10

• 1/2 Marathon: 1:30

• Marathon Wheelchair: 2:15

• 1/2 Marathon Wheelchair: 1:00

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FULL MARATHON ELITE ATHLETES: Please note that the deadline for changing events is Sept. 19, 2025. 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.

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Changes to entries will not be accepted after end-of-day September 19, 2025. There are no exceptions.

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REMINDER for 2025:  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 Race Morning Packet Pick-up when you registered.

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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.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:​

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• 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.

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• 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).

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• 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.