Sunday, October 15, 2023 • Columbus, OH • Course Map
One of the nation’s premiere marathon and half-marathon road race events — according to both race organizers and many past participants — is Ohio’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & Half Marathon, whose 2023 race will be its 44th annual, with more than 15,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes each year.
Both events share the same starting line, at the corner of Broad and High Streets near the Columbus City Center and Bicentennial Park, just a few blocks away from the bend in the Scioto River, which flows through the city.
From there, the field follows an eastward trek along East Broad Street, where they encounter the only real hills to speak of during the race, between miles 1 and 4. These hills only rise just over 50 feet in elevation and are marked by gradual inclines, however, so they’re nothing to get too exercised about.
Along the way, runners and walkers — this year’s race is open to both, and both groups will share the same starting time — pass the Columbus Museum of Art as well as the tree-lined greenspace of Franklin Park, perhaps best known for its conservatory, which was built in 1895 and is now home to more than 400 plant species from around the world.
Runners continue along Broad and make turns at Drexel, E Main street and S Nelson RD, making the turn on E Broad St for the middle third of the half-marathon.
Shortly after the 7 mile mark, runners turn onto 18th St, making their way to the Nationwide Children’s hospital. Runners then take Livingston Ave and S 3rd street entering into the German Village area.
After passing through the German Village area, with turns onto Reinhard Avenue, Jaeger Street and Deshler Avenue, the course then hits the home stretch, taking runners northward along South High Street for the last two miles toward the finish line, which lies near the Nationwide Arena on Nationwide Boulevard.
The last few miles are a nice treat for runners finishing up — they’re almost entirely flat the whole way in.
Race Weather & Climate
Located in central Ohio, about 100 miles northeast of Cincinnati and roughly 140 miles southwest of Cleveland, Columbus typically sees cool to mild weather in October, which has brought record temperatures here as low as 17°F (in 1952) and as high as 91°F (in 2007).
On race day (Oct. 15), the average low is 44ºF and the average high is 64ºF.
Columbus Marathon Past Results
- 2022 Half Marathon Results
- 2021 Half Marathon Results
- 2019 Half Marathon Results
- 2018 Half Marathon Results
- 2017 Half Marathon Results
- 2016 Half Marathon Results
- 2015 Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Half Marathon Results
- 2011 Half Marathon Results
Columbus Marathon Course Map
See the race route map for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
7:30 AM
Fees
- $95 – $125 for the half marathon
- $115 – $145 for the full marathon
Columbus Marathon Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & Half Marathon race, register online at RunSignup here.
The Nationwide Children’s Half Marathon is a great race. Well run, crowd support is strong. Flat course. Having run 6 of these events, I can confidently say: Sign up now! I’ll see you at the finish line!
My name is Jeff Faulkner and I ran the Oct 17 2021 Childrens hospital half marathon. I came in second place in the male 70-74 category. I have yet to receive my plaque, which I received for other Chiidrens half marathons. Do you know when they will be sending the plaque? Thank you.
I’d like to register for the half marathon walk for next year. I can’t find a list of fees for walkers. Please inform me as to how I can register for this.
Calvin Cousins