Remembrance Mile
Honor. Remember. Celebrate.
Sometimes a child's journey ends earlier than others.
One special mile on the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon is dedicated to the children who are no longer here with us. Families come together to support one another, share memories, and celebrate the days they shared with their children will make this mile an experience that gives this marathon a new meaning. When you run through the Remembrance Mile, run for those kids who have finished their race, and be inspired to take advantage of every single day.
We would like to invite you to honor and celebrate your child at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon Remembrance Mile by joining us on Race Day at Mile 11.
A Special Addition This Year!
Remembrance Mile Tribute Signage
We are honored to share that the Remembrance Mile will be lined with special tribute signs this year. Each sign will feature a Remembrance Mile patient’s photo and name, creating a meaningful moment of reflection and encouragement for runners as they make their way toward the Finish Line.
Families are warmly invited to request a complimentary sign using the link below and to submit one photo of their child to Marathon@NationwideChildrens.org. Please note that each child will be represented with one sign.
The submission deadline is September 21.
Please join us at the following:
Poster Making Pizza Lunch and Poster Making
New this year! The poster making gathering will be held at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Conference Center, located at 520 Butterfly Gardens, Columbus, OH 43215 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 19.
This event offers an opportunity for you to create a personalized poster in honor of your loved one alongside other Remembrance Mile families, while enjoying a complimentary pizza lunch.
If you cannot attend the poster making or be with us race day, you can also drop off posters made at home and our dedicated Butterfly Guild members will be happy to hold them up for you on race day. Please email Marathon@nationwidechildrens.org to make arrangements to drop off your poster by October 12 at our Foundation office.
Remembrance Mile Race Day, Mile 11
Sunday, October 18
7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
First Watch
496 S. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Park in the Brewery District LAZ Parking Garage at 500 South Front St., 43215 (entrance is on West Blenkner Street).
Special Message to Remembrance Mile Families:
We are excited about the enhancements and additions we have made for the 2026 Remembrance Mile.
While personal tents are not permitted on race day, we encourage you to join other families at the official Remembrance Mile tents located near First Watch at Mile 11. Due to race day guidelines, participant safety requirements, and city permitting restrictions, families may not bring additional tables, tents, or oversized personal signage to the mile. The only tents and tables permitted are those provided and professionally installed by our contracted vendor.
This year, we will have two Remembrance Mile-branded tents serving as the headquarters area for the day, along with complimentary refreshments. While this space is available to all families, we encourage everyone to spread out along the High Street mile to cheer on runners. Families are welcome to bring collapsible camp or sports chairs. We will also provide a cheer box filled with noisemakers and other items to help create an encouraging atmosphere.
Regarding signage, our new Honor Signage will be installed by a contracted vendor in coordination with the Marathon operations team and established safety guidelines. This new feature was added to help ensure all families have an opportunity to recognize their children and be remembered in a meaningful way. The Hospice and Spiritual Care volunteer team will have the posters race created during the Poster Making event race morning for you to hold while cheering. If you are unable to attend the Poster Making and Pizza Lunch, you are welcome to bring homemade posters from home.
Please note that oversized signs requiring easels, stakes, or other support equipment are not permitted. The safety of all marathon participants and spectators is our top priority, and we must ensure that nothing could accidentally enter the course and create a hazard.
We are honored to have your family and friends at the Remembrance Mile to cheer on the incredible runners and walkers.
