(COLUMBUS, OH) – For the eighth consecutive year, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon is sold out.
Darris Blackford, Race Director, said the timing of the sell-out breaks last year’s record by nearly a month, with a field of 18,000 athletes competing Sunday, October 19, 2014. Blackford attributes the marathon’s partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a main reason for the fast sell-out, along with the marathon’s growing national reputation as a fast and fun course.
“More than 10 percent of our field qualifies for the Boston Marathon,” Blackford said. “With a new start and finish line, more than 100 entertainers along the course, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital patient champions along every mile, we’re becoming a must attend event in the running world.”
Blackford said 7,000 participants will compete in the full marathon, and 11,000 will take part in the ½ marathon. He said anyone can get involved to support Nationwide Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Champions program.
The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon will start at North Bank Park near downtown Columbus at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 19. The course will be open until 3 p.m.
About The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon
The 35th Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014 and will feature a sold-out field of 7,000 full Marathoners and 11,000 1/2 Marathoners. The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon is the largest marathon in Ohio and the 17th largest in the United States. For more information, visit www.columbusmarathon.com.
About Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is honored to serve as the title beneficiary of the Nationwide Children’s’ Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. It is the third year of the partnership and the community support has enabled Nationwide Children’s to raise more than $2 million in just two years. “Patient Champions” will represent 24 of the 26.2 miles on this year’s course. The other two miles along the Marathon route will be deemed the “Encore Mile” (Patient Champions from 2012 and 2013) and “Angel Mile” (dedicated to the angels of Nationwide Children’s who have passed on). The Patient Champions and their families will cheer on participants and serve as a visual reminder of how the marathon is helping ill and injured children. Children’s Champions are participants who chose to run, walk or cheer for the marathon or 1/2 marathon while fundraising for Nationwide Children’s Hospital. As a Children’s Champion, these hundreds of individuals are reaching beyond personal training goals to support another mission. To cure, to mend, and comfort each child that walks through the doors of Nationwide Children’s. Their fundraising efforts help provide every child with the highest quality of care, regardless of the child’s diagnosis or the family’s ability to pay. The marathon and 1/2 marathon may be full, but there’s still time to become a Children’s Champion. To learn more about the Patient Champions or fundraising efforts visit nationwidechildrens.org/marathon.