Ohio’s largest marathon will celebrate the first year of its new charitable partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital with a 50-percent hike in financial support from the Columbus Marathon’s board to the hospital.
In announcing last January that Nationwide Children’s Hospital would become the title beneficiary of the Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, the Columbus Marathon’s board of directors pledged a donation of up to $100,000 to match support from participants and sponsors.
In closing the 2012 books for the non-profit event, the board increased its donation to a total of $150,000, boosting the total support raised for Nationwide Children’s from participants, company sponsors and the Marathon board to $925,000.
“While we budgeted for our original challenge of $100,000, from the very beginning our Board wanted to do more to help this great community asset,” said Board Chairman Bill Burns. “Through careful spending and additional savings due to new in-kind sponsorships that resulted from our partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we were able to increase our support to make the first year of this partnership even more successful.”
Burns said for 2013, the board’s desire is to again match at least $100,000 in donations from event supporters. Although encouraged, no event participants are required to donate or fundraise to take part in the Marathon or ½ Marathon, and no registration fees are earmarked for the hospital.
“The Columbus Marathon is one of the premier racing events in the country and we are so grateful to Bill Burns and the marathon board for their partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said Steve Allen, MD, chief executive officer of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “The support we received from the marathon, its partners and participants in our first year as the title beneficiary was incredible and helped raise awareness and critical funds for our work serving the children of central Ohio and beyond. This additional gift tops off a fantastic year for both of our organizations and we look forward to what we can do together to make 2013 even better.”
Sponsors for 2013 already include Nationwide Insurance, Cardinal Health, Dennis Hyundai, The Dispatch Printing Company, The Kroger Co., Rocky 4EurSole and Walmart.
Each mile of the race was represented by a patient from Nationwide Children’s. These “Miracle Mile Patient Champions” and their families cheered for the athletes and inspired them to reach beyond their personal mission. Nationwide Children’s is currently taking nominations for the 2013 Miracle Mile Patient Champions to serve as hospital representatives at the marathon. Nominations will be open until February 28, 2013. To nominate a patient, please visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/Childrens-Patient-Champions.
Registration opens January 20 for the 34th annual Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon. The 2013 race will be held Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. The event has sold out for six straight years. Entry levels are capped at 7,000 runners and walkers in the Marathon, and 11,000 runners and walkers in the ½ Marathon.
With nearly 5,500 finishers in 2012, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon is Ohio’s largest 26.2-mile footrace and the 16th largest U.S. marathon. The ½ Marathon had nearly 10,000 finishers, and is among the largest races of this distance in the country as well. For more information on the event, visit www.columbusmarathon.com.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Irvin 614-296-4057