The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon announced its field of “Patient Champions” during an event held Saturday, July 7 – RunFest – the event’s kickoff celebration. For the first time this year along the marathon and ½ marathon route, each mile will be deemed a “Miracle Mile”, 25 of which will be dedicated to and represented by a Patient Champion – a current patient of Nationwide Children’s. The last mile – The Angel Mile- will be dedicated to the brave children who have already finished their race.
After submitting personal stories through social networking sites and the hospital’s website, Patient Champions were selected by hospital staff based on various criteria, including but not limited to, diversity of diagnosis, age and enthusiasm to cheer on race participants at their mile. A full list of Patient Champions can be found below.
Patient Champions also will be involved in other aspects of the marathon and ½ marathon from cheering participants on at the finish line to presenting race medals to winners and participants. Each Miracle Mile will be sponsored by a corporate or community organization.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon has announced one Patient Champion each week since April 23, 2012 along with sharing the patient’s treatment story. One story per week will continue to be released up until the race in October.
The event is supported by several partners including Greif, Inc.; The Columbus Dispatch; Dennis Hyundai; The Superior Group; Nationwide Insurance; Grainger Industrial Supply; Cardinal Health; and Pleasure Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. These partners support not only the race, but also the Patient Champions along each of the race miles. If interested in becoming a partner, please contact Niki Shafer with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation at (614) 355-0812 for more information.
For additional information about the Patient Champions and to read their stories, visit NationwideChildrens.org/Marathon-Miracle-Mile-Patients.
For patients who are still interested in sharing their stories, and for more information on how to get involved with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, visit NationwideChildrens.org/Patient-Champions-Share-Your-Story.
The 33rd Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2012 and will have the capacity of 7,000 full Marathoners and 11,000 ½ Marathoners. The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon is among the 20 largest marathons in the United States and its one of the top marathons to qualify runners for the Boston Marathon. For more information, visit www.columbusmarathon.com.
The Patient Champions:
Alison Hile
Grayson Willson
Kole Noble
Micah Ross
Brett Kingsley
Toby Holt
Sophia Schumm
Hunter Miller
Parker MacDonald
Beau Hefner
Nicholas Sawchuk
Isaiah Burns
Matthew Griffin
Tiera Decker
Cassie Davis
Patrick Bibbee
Cal Ramirez
Maggie Lyons
Ellie Savage Trout
Josh Riederer
Taylor Rockwell
Warren “Tug” Robinson
Natalie Hendershot
Zion Polk
Logan Kile