More than 1,000 people are expected to kick off the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon training season at the third annual RunFest celebration event on Saturday, July 7, 2012 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Landmark Aviation, 4130 E. Fifth Ave. The full lineup of Patient Champions, Nationwide Children’s Hospital patients who serve as fundraising ambassadors at each of the mile markers, will be announced during the event.
Marathon supporters, enthusiasts and novices will enjoy free food from their choice of several Columbus food trucks: Sweet Carrots, Pitabilities, Green Meanie, OH! Burgers, Mikey’s Late Night Slice and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams; training advice from experts; health and fitness related booths; entertainment; and the opportunity to win incredible prizes.
“Our new partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital makes it an especially exciting time to be part of the Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon,” said Darris Blackford, Race Director for Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon. “Each of the 26 miles, deemed the ‘Miracle Miles,’ will be dedicated to a Patient Champion – a current patient of Nationwide Children’s who will be involved in other aspects of the event, from cheering participants on at the finish line, to presenting the marathon medals. We’ve already announced nearly half of our Patient Champions, and we are excited to share the rest of the field at RunFest.”
For more information about the July 7 RunFest, or to register for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, visit www.ColumbusMarathon.com or contact (614) 421-RUNN (7866).
The 33rd Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2012 and will have the capacity of 7,000 full Marathoners and 11,000 1/2 Marathoners. The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon is among the 20 largest marathons in the United States and is one of the top marathons to qualify runners for the Boston Marathon. For more information, visit www.columbusmarathon.com.
For More Information,
Sarah Irvin Clark, (614) 296-4057
Michele Mooney, (614) 620-1507