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Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo

Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo
Columbus
US
David Lucas · Public domainDavid Lucas · Public domainDavid Lucas · Public domainDavid Lucas · Public domainDavid Lucas · Public domain
Race date in 13 days
Oct 18, 2026 Sun
City · Distance
Columbus · 42.195km · 21.1km · 1M
Entry fee
$170Varies by event and entry period
2026Date Oct 18, 2026 · Entry ~ Oct 14, 2026
2025Date Oct 19, 2025
Official website ↗
Instagram
D-day as of Oct 5, 2026
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo
David Lucas · Public domain
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo
David Lucas · Public domain
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo
David Lucas · Public domain
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo
David Lucas · Public domain
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race photo
David Lucas · Public domain
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

This flat course with little elevation gain passes downtown landmarks including the Ohio Statehouse, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and German Village.

The race starts at North Bank Park at 7:30 a.m.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon runner reviews and race reports

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 3
Dan HorvathRan in 2025 · Finish time 4:02:47
“The volunteers and organization were terrific, especially considering the conditions.”

The runner ran the Columbus full marathon in torrential rain and strong winds, with the start delayed by 15 minutes. The runner missed sub-4 after dealing with flooded roads and a toilet stop in the second half, but finished in an official 4 hours 2 minutes 47 seconds, won the age group, and praised the race organizers.

Read the original on Dan Horvath's Running Blog
the_horse_lipsRan in 2023 · Finish time 4:14:12
“The streets were packed with spectators on either side for the first mile and a half.”

The runner completed their first marathon in 4:14:12. They maintained a 3:50 pace early on, but recurring cramps in their right thigh from mile 19 forced them to slow down. They recorded that the cheers from spectators calling their name helped them keep running to the finish.

Read the original on Reddit
pktirishRan in 2022
“The acquisition of my bib and race shirt was seamless with no wait.”

The Columbus full marathon participant finished despite an injury and reviewed the children’s cheering sections, aid stations and expo.

Read the original on thelaterunnerblog.wordpress.com

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon | Because Every Child Deserves a Finish Line

NationwideChildrens

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

Marathon

Entry cost $170

until Oct 14, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge

Entry cost $220

until Oct 14, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

1/2 Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge

Entry cost $205

until Oct 14, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Marathon Fundraiser

Entry cost $170

until Oct 14, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page
About Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge Fundraiser · 1/2 Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge Fundraiser

Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge Fundraiser

Entry cost $220

until Oct 14, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

1/2 Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge Fundraiser

Entry cost $205

until Oct 14, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon course map and elevation

The 42.195km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 07:30
Time limitOfficial 2026 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon time limit: full marathon 6 hours 30 minutes (14:53 per mile pace).
Show more

Official 2026 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon time limit: full marathon 6 hours 30 minutes (14:53 per mile pace).

EventStart
Marathon42.195km07:30
Half21.0975km07:30
5K5km09:00
Other1.6km09:00
START

Official start of the 2026 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon: North Bank Park, 311 W Long St, Columbus, OH 43215.

Start · Google Maps
FINISH

North Bank Park, Arena District

Finish · Google Maps

Cut-off
2026 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon time limit: the full-marathon time limit is 6 hours 30 minutes, and you must maintain a 14:53-per-mile pace.

Show more

Held on 18 October 2026, full marathon starts at North Bank Park and passes through downtown Columbus,

the Ohio Statehouse, Nationwide Children's Hospital and German Village.

Bexley, Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights and The Ohio State University are also included in course.

The course then passes near Ohio Stadium and the Short North Arts District before finishing in front of Nationwide Arena in the Arena District.

With little elevation change, it is suitable for runners targeting a fast time.

The race was first held in 1978 and has taken place every year since 1980.

About 7,000 people take part in full marathon and about 11,000 in half marathon, making this a large event.

In 2026, it marks the 15th year of the partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Course consists of 24 miles dedicated to hospital patients,

one mile dedicated to children who have passed away and one mile dedicated to past marathon mile champions, clearly reflecting the event's charitable purpose.

Typical race-season temperature: around 14°C (57°F)
Short sleeves or light long sleeves + arm warmers

Participant benefits

Pacers

Marathon · Half

Medical support

Marathon · Half

Restrooms

Marathon · Half

Water stations

Marathon · Half

Aid stations

Marathon · Half

Event T-shirt

Marathon · Half

Bag drop

Marathon · Half

Race expo

Marathon · Half

Where and when to collect your Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2025 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

October 16 (Fri) 12:00–19:00, October 17 (Sat) 09:00–18:00 — Greater Columbus Convention Center Hall D, 400 N High St, Columbus OH

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

No rail/subway in Columbus. Start/Finish combined in the Arena District, downtown Columbus. Nearest options: COTA city buses, CoGo Bike Share stations, Uber/Lyft drop-off near Nationwide Blvd/Neil Ave.

Start is 7:30 a.m. Sunday with corrals opening 6:00 a.m.;

~18,000 runners converge on downtown at once, organizers say to double normal travel time.

Key streets close race morning: Long St, Spring St, Neil Ave (Nationwide Blvd to Start/Finish).

No metro/subway system in Columbus.

Driving + downtown garage parking, COTA bus, CoGo bike share, or rideshare are the practical options.

Getting to the finish

Same Arena District area as start (combined start/finish, close to 15,000+ downtown parking spaces).

Same downtown Arena District access;

CoGo bike share and Uber/Lyft usable post-race.

More details

Official 'race day transportation shuttles' offered per the race's tips page, but no route/schedule published as of this search.

Carpooling recommended.

Source · checked Aug 22, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

On race day, corral opens at 6:00 am, Wheelchair Division starts at 7:25 am and the marathon starts at 7:30 am.

The start is at North Bank Park.

To reduce your morning travel, calculate the journey time to the park when choosing accommodation and leave in time for entry to corral.

Check the local forecast for 18 October, then decide what to wear at the start and which outer layer to remove during the race.

Full marathon is 26.2 miles, so prepare according to the fuelling strategy you normally use for long runs.

Half marathon is 13.1 miles, so you can pack less.

Include the expo and packet pickup in your plans for the day before the race.

Participants in the Gold finisher medal Challenge, who run the Saturday 5K and Sunday marathon,

must also collect the bib, finisher medal and challenge finisher medal for both races.

Times are local to Columbus. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels near the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon start line in

Hotels that make race morning easy

7 places

Distances are straight-line from the start/finish area.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

The start and finish are in the same place
We picked stays around that one spot.

Holiday Inn Express Columbus Downtown, An Ihg Hotel

Hotel · 2.3km

7.8/10(378)
View on Booking.com

Jungle House Boutique Suites - Short North & Convention Center

Accommodation · 961m

8.4/10(42)
View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Time for you, before and after the finish

12 experiences

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Columbus | John Glenn Columbus International Airport Private Airport Pickup/Drop-Off Service

$195

View on Klook

John Glenn International Airport Lounge Service By Escape Lounge

$53

View on Klook

Columbus airport pickup (Welcome)

Local driver pick-up, flight delay monitoring included (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Book after checking price

View on Welcome Pickups
Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing Columbus with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Distances and ratings for food and sights come from the place provider, and experiences are travel products in Columbus.

Total cost and budget for Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · YesimFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Columbus runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon

FAQ
When does Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon 2026 take place?

It takes place on Sun, October 18, 2026 in Columbus, OH, United States.

How much is the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon 2026 entry fee?

The main event costs $170.

What distances does Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon 2026 offer?

Marathon · Half.

What time does Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon 2026 start?

The race starts at 07:30.

Where does Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon 2026 finish?

North Bank Park, Arena District.

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