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 2024 race will be its 45th annual, with more than 15,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes each year.
Columbus Marathon Half Marathon & 5k
October 19, 2025
Columbus
Road
Ready to sign up?
1-100
Some Hills
Urban
High: 62°
/ Low: 40°
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.
Overview
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 2024 race will be its 45th annual, with more than 15,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes each year.
Course Description
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.
