Tip #3: | What to Wear

Welcome back to our annual “26 Tips for 26.2 Miles” blog series. For the 26 days leading up to race day, athletes and spectators can get daily tips to make the most of OUR race. Stay tuned for tips on parking and food, cool viewing spots and race rules, and answers to all your pressing race day questions. We are here to help you make the most of your 2023 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon experience! Let’s go!

Dressing for race day is a complicated affair, based on weather conditions, personal comfort, and spending an hour standing still while waiting to run for several more. Some quick reminders to bear in mind:

• When running or walking, your body registers a temperature 10 – 15 degrees warmer than the thermometer. When planning your race day outfit, factor this in.

• Nothing new on race day – no matter how amazing/useful/cool/revolutionary it may seem. A faulty seam, sunglasses that keep slipping down your nose, or a hat bill that pinches just so are not lessons you want to learn on race day!

• Less is more. It is better to be a bit chilly at the start for one hour than hot and wet for five.

• Don’t forget the “throwaways”! Throwaways, or old and inexpensive clothes that you wear to the start with the express intent of discarding - goodbye beloved but threadbare pj pants! - will keep you warm and cozy until the final minutes before the start but continue to do good long after the race.*

• Wet day? We’re with you in appealing to Mother Nature for a dry day, but an inexpensive poncho – or even a large garbage bag – will go far in keeping you comfortable in rainy conditions.

*All clothes discarded at the Start Line are picked up by our fabulous volunteers and sent on to Goodwill. Those clothes still in serviceable condition are then sold, allowing them to continue doing good for our community.

And, while we don’t recommend you wear them on race day, don’t forget to get your very own pair of the official, limited edition men’s and women's Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon running shoes by ASICS. These special shoes feature marathon blue laces that showcase the Columbus Marathon's starred Ohio logo, while the insoles feature the skyline, runners, race logo, and the year 2023 stamped boldly in marathon orange. With the help of the official race gear at Columbus Running Company, you can run OUR race in style!

Have additional questions about running and walking apparel for race day? Let us know in the comments below, or share with us on Facebook and Instagram, and we’ll be sure to get them answered!