Lashutka
Spirit Award

The annual Lashutka Spirit Awards honor former Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka, who helped launch the Columbus Marathon in 1980. Each year we honor a select group of people for their efforts to inspire others or overcome obstacles or challenges to take part in OUR race. This may be people facing their own health difficulties, struggles or injuries, as well as those who are helping others fight these battles.

“The Lashutka Spirit Award is a way for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon to recognize individuals who inspire and embody perseverance and strength. They are a testament to our sport and this event and it’s always an incredible privilege to celebrate them and their accomplishments.” – Darris Blackford, Race Director.

2025 Lashutka Spirit Award Winners

James Boudreau

Maumee, OH

James Boudreau was born with cystic fibrosis, a condition that once gave him a life expectancy of just 18 years. From a young age, he received, and still receives, care at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Now a devoted husband and father, he has faced life with remarkable courage and perseverance. With less than half of his lung capacity, James has competed in multiple bodybuilding competitions and now tackles his next challenge with the same mental and physical strength: training for his first full marathon.

Brittany Garner

Plain City, OH

Brittany Garner, a junior high math teacher at Jonathan Alder, faced an unimaginable challenge during the 2024 Cap City Half Marathon—she experienced a series of strokes before and during the race. Despite the severity of her condition, Brittany finished the race and, after months of therapy and training, has now returned to running even stronger. At the same event in 2025, she PR’d by 15 minutes and proves to be an unstoppable force of optimism and determination.

Elizabeth Page

Westerville, OH

Elizabeth Page, a wife, mom, and teacher, has faced a lifetime of medical challenges. Beginning at the age of 17, she was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor and underwent multiple brain surgeries and additional treatment. After recently being re-diagnosed, Elizabeth took up running to manage the physical and mental stress, completing her first half marathon last spring. Her resilience and determination continue to inspire her family, students and community every day.

Steve Salopek

New Albany, OH

Steve Salopek ran his first marathon in Columbus in 1989, and has since completed the race 19 times, including several as a pace leader. He is also a 17-time finisher of the Boston Marathon, and has run marathons in Chicago, New York and many others around the country. On a training run five weeks before the 2024 Columbus Marathon, the Senior Lecturer of Finance in the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University was viciously attacked by three dogs. Thankfully his fitness level and martial arts training enabled him to fight off the dogs and survive the attack, but he was bitten several times and sustained serious injuries, forcing him to abandon his goal of doing his 100th marathon last October in Columbus. Now recovered and back running, Steve will be on the Start Line at the 2025 Columbus Marathon to do marathon #100.

Vani Shukla

Lakewood, OH

Vani Shukla, a middle school music teacher in the Elyria City School District in Cleveland, recently faced a terrifying attack during a 20-mile training run for her first marathon: the Columbus Marathon. She fought back and survived the attack, suffering a broken nose and bruises to her face, neck and arms. Vani has remained committed to training and running, inspiring her students and many other with her resilience, tenacity and courage.