Tip #9: OUR Start Line

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 2022 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon experience! Let’s go!

OUR start line will motivate, inspire and pump you up for an incredible race day. Time and again, YOU tell us that our start line in unlike any other in the country, and we take great pride in our starting experience. If this is your first time running or walking OUR race, we hope you also find it to be unlike any you’ve seen, heard, or felt.

After getting to North Bank Park, checking in your gear and finding your start corral, get ready!. The marathon team has spent months putting together a series of events to make this morning memorable - here are just a few things you’ll experience as you get ready to start OUR race:

• Upbeat music to help you feel good about the journey ahead. And of course, we will get you pumped up right at the start of the Race with our “signature song”: AC/DC’s Thunderstruck

• Leaders from across the city on hand to wish you well

• Thousands of spectators lining the start of the race, with news crews and helicopters there to capture the excitement

• Fireworks! We always go over budget on the fireworks, and it’s always worth it!

The start is also staggered. This way, athletes can better find their pace and deal with less foot traffic in the first few miles of the race.

Race day is months in the making. We want to make sure you have the best start possible both physically and mentally. Have fun, enjoy the moment, and we’ll look forward to seeing you at the finish line!

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