One of the largest and most festive road races in Ohio, featuring 1-mile fun run, 5K, half and full marathon with a course themed around Nationwide Children's Hospital.
The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon returns to Downtown Columbus on Sunday, October 18, 2026. It's one of the city's biggest running weekends, and it's not just the full marathon—there's a 1-mile fun run, a 5K, and a half marathon, so you can pick the distance that fits you. The full marathon starts at 7:30 AM at North Bank Park (311 W Long St), and the course takes you through downtown and out into Bexley, Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights, and The Ohio State University.
The race has been around since 1980, with the half marathon added in 2006, and it's built around Nationwide Children's Hospital. The organizers call it "America's Most Meaningful Race," and the course reflects that: 24 of the miles are each represented by a patient at the hospital, one mile honors the children who have been taken too soon, and another is an "alumni mile" for past Marathon Mile Champions. Patient Champions and their families line every mile to cheer on the runners, so you'll have people rooting for you all the way through.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Columbus and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
If you're running, there are a few things to keep in mind. The Health & Fitness Expo opens at the Columbus Convention Center over the weekend, and pace teams like the Striding Sliders are on hand to help you hit your target time. Just a heads-up: there are no refunds or deferrals to future years, so make sure you're all set before you commit. For the full marathon, the corrals open at 6:00 AM, and the race starts at 7:30 AM.
