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.

2026 Lashutka Spirit Award Winners

Katelyn Burke Kaplan

Columbus, OH

Katelyn’s ties to running “run” deep; in fact, she has childhood memories of being pushed in races in a baby jogger by her dad, Jim Burke.

The resident of Powell credits her love for running and for the Columbus Marathon to her dad, who passed away in August. Jim was a former member of the Columbus Marathon Board of Trustees and ran the race many times, including as a guide for visually impaired runners. He also ran many other marathons and races, including the Boston Marathon and the Hood-to-Coast Relay.

It is no surprise that Jim never wore headphones during races as he was too busy making friends along the route.

Katelyn has run the Columbus 26.2-mile and 13.1-mile races several times, both alongside her dad and with him cheering her on. She will miss their tradition of eating a big post-race breakfast at the German Village Coffee Shop.

This is Katelyn's first race back since having her son, Scotty, in 2025, and she is running the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus ½ Marathon in honor of her dad, who's favorite role of all was being a grandpa.

Paul Carringer

Columbus, OH

Paul ran the first Columbus Marathon in 1980 as a 24-year-old.

The Columbus native has since run the both the Marathon & ½ Marathon dozens of times as part of a lifetime of running that has included 185 Marathons and countless other shorter and longer races.

He also has been involved with the race as an original member of the White Castle Striding Sliders Pace Team, as well as a race ambassador in the Columbus-Dresden Marathon exchange.

In early 2026 Paul was diagnosed with prostate cancer that spread to his lungs and is currently receiving treatment to curb the spread of the disease.

Paul feels strongly that running is helping him in his health journey, and he remains committed to remaining active in the sport. His running journey will continue in October when he takes part in the 2026 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus ½ Marathon.

Katy Hite

Columbus, OH

In 2021, Katy completed the Columbus Marathon. One year later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

A former librarian at several Columbus-area branches who now works for the State Library of Ohio, Katy underwent treatment, surgery and recovery in 2023 and 2024. Throughout that time, she stayed as active as possible and maintained a positive outlook that served as a guiding light for the friends and family that supported her on her journey.

Post-recovery, Katy has continued to train and has completed races of multiple distances, including ultramarathons. Anyone who knows Katy through MiT, trained beside her, or encountered her diligently completing a weekend long run has witnessed her grit, perseverance, and tenacity in running and in life. She also serves in many breast cancer recovery and survivor groups and activities to help provide a community for others going through the same experiences.

Katy is running the 2026 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon.

Mark Pfeiffer

Columbus, OH

Mark, an analyst at Chipotle’s offices in Columbus, went from not prioritizing fitness to completely changing his life.

He started out by walking to get in shape, joined a fun run hosted in Spring 2025 by the Marathoner In Training group, and kept working on his fitness in order to walk the 2025 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus ½ Marathon.

Along the way Mark lost a significant amount of weight and has done daily rides on his Peloton bike while mixing in longer walks, recently hitting his 500th ride. In August he took part in the 46-mile Pelotonia ride, but an unexpected fall cut the ride short. Undeterred, he went home and finished the remainder of the miles on his own.

Beyond his physical transformation, Mark has grown more confident in himself and has inspired others as he has shown up for himself day after day. Mark is taking part in the 2026 Nationwide Children’s Hospital ½ Marathon.

Dr. Corey Stiver

Columbus, OH

In 2012, while working on her pediatric cardiology residency at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Corey learned that her unborn son Noah had congenital heart disease.

She understood the challenging journey ahead.

At just five days old, Noah underwent open-heart surgery. Today, he is a thriving 13-year-old and one of this year's Marathon Mile Champions.

Corey has dedicated her career to fetal diagnosis of congenital heart disease, guiding hundreds of families through this challenging and scary diagnosis. Her expertise is extraordinary, but what truly sets her apart is the compassion and hope she offers as both a physician and the mother of a heart warrior. She understands the fears families face because she has lived them herself.

This year, Corey will run the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon for Noah and for every child she has cared for through the NCH Heart Center.