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SAFETY + SECURITY
MEDICAL  |  WEATHER POLICIES  |  SECURITY INFO

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EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

Various measures are in place to help ensure a safe and secure event for our participants, spectators, volunteers, and the general public. Please abide by the following: 

  • Gear Check: We will ONLY accept the CLEAR Gear Check Bags you receive at the Health & Fitness Expo during your packet pick-up. ALL items you wish to check must be in these bags. We will NOT accept any other bags, boxes, luggage, etc. NO EXCEPTIONS.

  • Inspections: All items being carried at or near the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon are subject to inspection.

  • Athlete-Only Areas: Participants in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon will have special access to athlete-only areas at the Start Line and Finish Line. Non-participants are not permitted in these areas.

  • No Family Run-In At Finish: Only athletes are permitted on the race course, including crossing the Finish Line. This is for the safety of all athletes, spectators, race and safety officials and volunteers. Any participant who is joined by a non-participant (including a child-in-arms) on any portion of the course, including crossing the Finish Line, risks disqualification and a ban from future events.

  • Color-Coded Emergency Signs: A four-color sign system is used to provide information on weather conditions and emergency situations.

  • Green = Low Alert Level, Good Conditions.

  • Yellow = Moderate Alert Level, Less Than Ideal Conditions.

  • Red = High Alert Level, Potentially Dangerous Conditions.

  • Black = Extreme Alert Level, Event Cancelled/Extreme & Dangerous Conditions

Please pay attention to the signs at all fluid stations and at the Start Line and Finish Line

  • Medical Information: PLEASE take a few moments and fill out the Medical Information on the back of your bib number. Every second counts in an emergency, and this information could be crucial! 

  • Inclement Weather Policy: The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon puts the safety of its participants, spectators, staff and volunteers first. Dangerous weather conditions pose a unique challenge to an event the size of a Marathon or 1/2 Marathon. Therefore we have adopted the following Inclement Weather Policy:

Weather forecasts will be monitored prior to the event, with special attention placed on the possibility of heavy rain, thunder and lightning, high winds and extreme temperatures. If necessary, athletes will be made aware of these conditions and possible dangers which could result on the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon website (www.columbusmarathon.com), as well as through other means of communication such as e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, the Real-Time Race Tracking app and public address announcements. 

The Race Director and Medical Director, in consultation with law enforcement, fire/EMS and other officials, will monitor the weather and make a decision if any action will be taken to modify the race. Possible changes include: Altering the start time or in extreme situations,cancellation of the event. Visible lightning will cause the race to be postponed for a minimum of 30 minutes. Additional sightings will continue to delay the race in 30-minute increments. 

If extremely high heat and humidity is predicted, extra water will be provided to the athletes, both prior to, during and after the event. The medical team will be alerted that athletes may require additional medical attention during and after the event due to these conditions. If it is felt that it is unsafe for participants to start the race due to severe temperatures and humidity, the race may be cancelled.​

Race personnel reserve the right to delay, cancel, or suspend the race due to inclement weather. Participants must abandon the race if ordered to do so by the race personnel, medical staff, fire or police personnel.

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