FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Opens Registration Feb. 1
Organizers announce new 5K and 1 Mile races on Marathon weekend,
milestone charitable support level for Hospital reached
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)- The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon
Board of Trustees will add 5K and 1 Mile races on the Saturday of Marathon
Weekend. The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2
Marathon will take place on Sunday, Oct. 16; registration for all events
opens Tuesday, Feb. 1.
The Board also announced it has made a donation of $50,000 from 2021 event
proceeds to continue its decade-long string of support for Nationwide
Children's Hospital. Since it became the charitable beneficiary of the
Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon in 2012, more than $11 million has been
generated through fundraising, sponsorship and donations, including more
than $1.2 million from the Marathon Board.
"As a Board, we are extremely pleased to be able to continue our
substantial financial support of Nationwide Children's Hospital and the
world-class treatment provided to children and families in Ohio and around
the world," said Dan Leite, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. "We all
realize the extremely difficult times the pandemic has brought, but this
ongoing effort in support of the Hospital is a direct reflection of the
commitment of our Board, our event's participants and vendors and the
incredible partnership the Marathon has with Nationwide and NCH."
Moving into 2022, event organizers are upbeat about continuing this
charitable support, as well as moving the event in a new direction by
adding the 5K and 1 Mile events, said Darris Blackford, Race Director of
the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.
"The 5K and 1 Mile races will encourage even more people to come out and
participate," Blackford said. "These races provide a great opportunity for
families and friends to take part in race weekend and for new runners and
walkers to experience the thrill of the start line without committing to
going the full distance. We feel confident that when these folks get a
taste of the atmosphere and energy of these races, they'll be back for
more!"
Both the 5K, a timed race, and the 1 Mile fun run/walk, will honor the
legacy of Ohio State and Olympic running great Jesse Owens. Details of the
arrangement, being coordinated in cooperation with the Jesse Owens
Foundation, are still being finalized; the parties previously worked
together on an event known as the Jesse Owens Jog, a 2.62-mile fun run/walk
focused on African-American health and wellness. The "JOG" was held from
2015 to 2019; it was part of the overall Marathon & 1/2 Marathon's weekend
cancellation in 2020, and was not held in 2021.
More info on the races on Saturday, Oct. 15:
- The 5K will take place at 11 a.m. and will begin at the official marathon
start line (North Bank Park at 311 W. Long St.) and will take participants
on a scenic tour of the Scioto riverfront before they cross marathon finish
line. It will be a timed event for runners and walkers age 12 and older.
Finishers will get a special hat and race medal.
- The 1 Mile run/walk will take place at 12:30 p.m. and will be an untimed,
family friendly event open to anyone age six and older. Finishers will get
a special hat and race medal.
- Highlights For Children will return as the sponsor of the annual
"Highlights' Kid's Run" held in cooperation with the Columbus Recreation
and Parks Department. New this year, the Kid's Run will be free to all
children ages 11 and under. The Kid's Run will take place at 1:30 p.m., and
all participants will receive a custom finisher ribbon and refreshments.
Registration for this event will be open June 1.
COVID-19 protocols followed in the 2021 event will remain at this point for
all events. All athletes, volunteers, event personnel and vendors in
"active athlete areas" including the Health & Fitness Expo, Start/Finish
areas and Fluid Stations will be required to show proof of being fully
vaccinated against COVID-19 as defined by the Centers for Disease Control
or present results of a negative COVID-19 test taken within recommended CDC
timelines prior to participation in the event.
About Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon:
The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon has
raised more than $11 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital since it
became the title beneficiary of the event in 2012. The Columbus Marathon
will be held for the 42nd time in 2022; this year will mark the 16th
edition of the 1/2 Marathon and the first for both the 5K and 1 Mile races.
For more information, visit www.columbusmarathon.com.
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