Race Day Recap

Local Women Take First Place in Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon

Kristoffer Mugrage defends title, qualifies for U.S. Olympic Trials with 2:16:11 finish

(COLUMBUS, OH) – Sarah Biehl of Hilliard, Ohio and defending champion Kristoffer Mugrage win the 2022 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon, while Molly Bookmyer of Columbus won the women’s ½ Marathon for the second year in a row.

The 2022 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon featured a field of more than 11,000 participants and, as a result of the event, approximately $1 million has been raised to support the work of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, totaling approximately $12 million since the partnership began in 2012.

“This race is a true testament of the support of our community and the hard work put in by our participants, staff and volunteers,” said Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon Race Director Darris Blackford. “It is amazing to see so many people contribute to the incredible work that Nationwide Children’s Hospital is doing for so many families here in Central Ohio and around the world.”

Following were highlights of the day:

• Approximately $1 million and counting was raised for Nationwide Children's Hospital during the 2022 event; for a total of approximately $12 million raised since the partnership with the hospital started in 2012;

• A field of more than 11,000 participants from across the United States and abroad.

• 24 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Marathon Mile Champions and their families were along 24 miles; one mile was the Angel Mile, dedicated to the angels of Nationwide Children’s who have already run their race; and one mile was the Encore Mile for the Marathon Mile Champions from previous races.

TOP FINISHERS

**Qualified for the US Olympic Trials

Marathon Male

Kristoffer Mugrage, Alamosa, CO 2:16:11**

Joshua Park, Amherst, OH 2:18:58

Stan Linton, Memphis, TN 2:19:40

Marathon Female

Sarah Biehl, Columbus, OH 2:39:01

Hollyann Swann, Huntington, WV 2:44:41

Christine Guerrero, Chula Vista, CA 2:46:18

½ Marathon Male

James Ngandu, Van Wert, OH 1:03:60 (four-time winner)

Jason Salyer, Tipp City, OH 1:04:30

Joshua Joseph, Alamosa, CO 1:06:53

½ Marathon Female

Molly Bookmyer, Columbus, OH 1:10:52

Rosa Moriello, Englewood, CO 1:11:31

Maura Lemon, Dayton, OH 1:17:35

½ Marathon Wheelchair Male

Matthew Davis, Bowling Green, OH 1:05:16

Marathon – Wheelchair Male

Chad Johnson 2:12:32

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE 42nd NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLUMBUS MARATHON & 16th ½ MARATHON

THE PEOPLE

• 24 Miracle Mile Patient Champions who have shared their stories to inspire

• 3,000 volunteers make this marathon possible

• More than 12,000 athletes come from across the United States

• More than 60 bands, DJs and entertainers add extra cheer

• 25-member marathon team and 9-member marathon board of directors have put in approximately 10,000 hours of planning

• 20 Striding Slider (presented by White Castle) pace team leaders

• Approximately 100,000 spectators cheer on athletes on Race Day

• More than 400 Children’s Champions raise money for Nationwide Children’s Hospital through the event

• Dozens of participants will be celebrating their birthday race weekend

THE SUPPLIES

• 100,000 White Castle cups of water to quench thirst

• 100,000-plus cups of Lemon-Lime Gatorade when water just doesn’t cut it

• 8,0000 bananas; 6,000 apples; 16,000 bottles of water; 10,000 peanut butter sandwich cracker 6-packs; 10,000 packets of string cheese; 20,000 Haribo Halloween gummy snack packs; 10,000 cartons of chocolate milk; 10,000 bagels; and 10,000 Frito-Lay chips

• 500-plus portable bathrooms for relief

• 3,000 Clif Shot energy gels to refuel (strawberry, citrus and mocha flavored)

THE COURSE

• 1 Angel Mile to honor, remember and celebrate the angels of Nationwide Children’s who have already finished their race

• 1 Encore Mile, for the 400+ patients who lined the 2012 – 2021 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon course

• 201,600-watt sound system to rev up runners at the Start Line

• 27 permits throughout five different police jurisdictions to close down 26.2 miles of roads

• Thousands of pounds of discarded clothes donated to Goodwill Columbus

THE CAUSE

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital has more than 1.6 million patient visits annually and stays true to its mission of providing care regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

• Last year, it provided more than $358 million in charity care and community benefit services and welcomed patients from all 50 U.S. states and 46 foreign countries.

• As a result of the partnership between the Columbus Marathon and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, more than $11 million has been raised to support the work of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

• Once again listed on U.S News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospital Honor Roll, a distinction awarded to only 10 children’s centers nationwide.

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital is America's second largest children's hospital and has America's highest number of NICU beds, inpatient surgeries, clinic, urgent care, diagnostic therapy, and outpatient visits.