Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & Half Marathon

If you’re coming to Columbus for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1⁄2 Marathon in October- we have some fun activities and events in Columbus that you may want to check out!

Whether you are running or spectating, thank you for supporting this great cause! Read some of our fun suggestions of what to do in Columbus, and scroll down for race details, spectator viewing recommendations, and more!

So much to do this weekend in Columbus!

Columbus has big weekends with tons of going on – so much so, that if can be hard to decide what to do! Here’s are tons of ideas to browse for this weekend! (note, if you’re reading this in the months/weeks before the marathon weekend, it’ll reflect the current upcoming weekend)

Over 195 options for fun this weekend in Columbus

Hit up a Happy Hour!

If you’re running, you’ll probably want to skip this section. Stick to healthy food and proper hydration! But otherwise, you’ll find tons of Happy Hours in Columbus, divided by neighborhood. 

Fall Fun in Columbus!

Central Ohio really shines during the fall. There are so many pumpkin patches, farms with fall fun, and corn mazes and more. Find them here!

Prefer to pick apples? We have those too! If you’re coming in from out of town, there’s probably an apple orchard nearby for you to visit on your way in or out of town! 

About the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon

The 2024 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1⁄2 Marathon features thousands of runners and walkers on Sunday, October 20, 2024.

More than 12,000 athletes come from across the United States, and 3,000 volunteers make this marathon possible!

The Marathon benefits Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and 24 miles of the race are represented by patients of Nationwide Children’s. These patients and their families chosen as Marathon Mile Champions will cheer on participants within their designated mile, and serve as a visual reminder of how the marathon is helping ill and injured children.

The other two miles along the Marathon route are deemed the “Encore Mile” at mile 10 (featuring patients who were honored along the race route the previous nine years) and the “Angel Mile” at mile 11 (dedicated to the angels of Nationwide Children’s who have passed away).

Race Details

Key dates and times for Columbus Marathon 

Friday, October 18, Noon to 7 pm. The Race Expo and Packet Pickup, 1/2 Marathon registration, Columbus Marathon store, vendor booths and shopping at Greater Columbus Convention Center, Hall D

Saturday, October 19

9 a.m. The Health & Fitness Expo opens for its second day and runs until 6 p.m. (Hall D, GCCC)
11 am: 5K and 1 Mile races (North Bank Park)
1 pm: Kids’ Run start (North Bank Park)

Sunday, October 20 – Race Day!

The Start/Finish line is in North Bank Park including more than 80 elite athletes competing for the prize purse. Fireworks at the start of both waves.

7:25 a.m. Wheelchair start
7:30 a.m. Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1⁄2 Marathon Start

Great places for spectators to watch

From the Columbus Marathon website

Drexel and Main Streets in Bexley: Fall colors and amazing homes of Bexley make it a great place to watch! Plus, it’s home to more ice cream shops per capita than anywhere in Ohio. There are some great coffee shops and restaurants too!

Nationwide Children’s Hospital: The Marathon & 1/2 Marathon will run past two sides of Nationwide Children’s Hospital on 18th St. and Livingston Ave. Spectators can watch at the park at Livingston and Parsons Avenues. There will be bands, butterflies on stilts and hundreds of signs to represent those Children’s Champions who have been raising money for Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Schiller Park: This German Village treasure is bordered by Reinhard, Jaeger and Deshler Streets. This year marks the 153rd birthday of this beloved and scenic park – make sure you explore the whole park! You’ll enjoy the floating sculptures, umbrella girl fountain, and more to enjoy. It’s going to be beautiful with fall colors!

Upper Arlington: Anther picturesque communities between The Ohio State University and King Avenue with beautiful homes and gardens.

Grandview Heights: Grandview Avenue has great shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and more.

Victorian Village: Neil Avenue is a perfect spot with gorgeous Victorian style homes and beautiful trees as participants head toward the finish line. Goodale Park is bordered by Buttles Avenue and Park Street, and is a great place to wander around. Dining tip: if you’re in this area, make sure to check out the North Market. You’ll find all of the good eats in a super cool building.

Celebration Village: Featuring the Columbus Marathon store, PR Gong presented by White Castle, and more.

About Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Nationwide Children’s Hospital has more than 1.6 million patient visits annually and stays true to its mission of providing care regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Last year, it provided more than $358 million in charity care and community benefit services and welcomed patients from all 50 U.S. states and 46 foreign countries.

As a result of the partnership between the Columbus Marathon and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, more than $11 million has been raised to support the work of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is America’s second largest children’s hospital and has America’s highest number of NICU beds, inpatient surgeries, clinic, urgent care, diagnostic therapy, and outpatient visits. It’s once again listed on U.S News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospital Honor Roll, a distinction awarded to only 10 children’s centers nationwide.

More options in Columbus…