FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
Sells Out For Sixth Straight Year!
33rd Annual Race Sells Out with Largest Marathon Field in Event History
(COLUMBUS, OH) – All 18,000 slots are filled for the Nationwide Children's
Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon that will take place this Sunday,
October 21, 2012. This marks the sixth straight year the event has sold out
and the largest full marathon field in the history of the event.
"We knew the partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital would be a big
deal," said Darris Blackford, race director for the Nationwide Children's
Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. "There is so much excitement
and buzz about this event around the nation and that's evidenced by the
fact that we have a record number of 7,000 participants in the full
marathon -- breaking our record of 6,500 marathoners that was set in 1995
when the entire running world was trying to qualify for the 100th Boston
Marathon.
The newly re-named event will highlight the beneficiary of the marathon –
Nationwide Children's Hospital. Other new additions to the 2012 event are:
-"Patient Champions" – Each of the 26 "Miracle Miles" will be dedicated to
a current patient of Nationwide Children's Hospital. These children
include: 11-year-old Maggie, who suffers from epilepsy and a form of
autism; Sophia, born with five holes in her heart; and Toby, who has Spina
Bifida and hydrocephalus; among many others. The Patient Champions will be
on the course on race day to cheer on the participants.
-The Columbus Bicentennial will be celebrated when every 200th finisher
will receive a prize of dinner for 10, courtesy of Chipotle. Additionally,
Columbus is hosting some athletes from our sister city in Dresden, Germany
to run in the race. Concurrently, Dresden will welcome 20 of our athletes
to participate in their marathon, half-marathon and 10K event, held on the
same day.
-Funds raised for Nationwide Children's Hospital: The Columbus Marathon has
implemented a match of up to $100,000 in funds raised, which will be
directed to Nationwide Children's Hospital. Additionally, hundreds of
"Children's Champions" will run to raise funds that will be given to the
life-saving work of the hospital.
-Ohio Stadium: For the first time ever, the marathon course will take
runners and walkers through Ohio Stadium – through the home tunnel, across
the south end zone and out the opposing team's tunnel.
The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon will
start near the intersection of Broad and Third Streets in downtown Columbus
at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 21 for wheelchairs, walkers and runners.
The course will be open until 3 p.m.
About The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
The 33rd Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2012 and will feature a sold-out field
of 7,000 full marathoners and 11,000 1/2 marathoners. The Nationwide
Children's Hospital Columbus 1/2 Marathon is among the 25 largest half
marathons in the United States and the Columbus Marathon is one of the top
marathons to qualify runners for the Boston Marathon. For more information,
www.columbusmarathon.com. or call 614.421.7866.
About Nationwide Children's Hospital
Nationwide Children's Hospital is honored to serve as the title beneficiary
of the Nationwide Children's' Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.
Each mile in this year's race is represented by a patient at Nationwide
Children's. These patients and their families will be along every mile of
the course to cheer on participants and serve as a visual reminder of how
the marathon is helping ill and injured children. Children's Champions are
participants who chose to run, walk or cheer for the marathon or 1/2
marathon while fundraising for Nationwide Children's Hospital. As a
Children's Champion, these 800-plus individuals are reaching beyond
personal training goals to support another mission. To cure, to mend, and
comfort each child that walks through the doors of Nationwide Children's.
Their fundraising efforts help provide every child with the highest quality
of care, regardless of the child's diagnosis or the family's ability to
pay. The marathon and 1/2 marathon may be full, but there's still time to
become a Children's Champion. To learn more about the Patient Champions or
fundraising efforts visitNationwideChildrens.org/childrens-champions.
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