Course Map
Route based on 2025 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon is a flat, fast course through the Ohio capital, renowned as much for its cause as its speed, with young hospital "patient champions" stationed along the route to inspire runners. The gentle, smooth profile makes it a strong Boston-qualifying and personal-best target. Held in October, it offers crisp autumn conditions ideal for hard racing and famously emotional crowd support around its charitable mission. The flat roads reward even pacing. It suits the PB chaser who also wants a deeply meaningful, charity-driven atmosphere on a genuinely fast fall course.
Course Insight
Columbus is a flat, fast October course famous for its patient champions, children stationed along the route whose stories give the miles real emotional weight. The level terrain makes it a genuine personal-best course, so the discipline is your own early on. Crisp autumn air suits quick running. The cause and the kids are a powerful late-race lift. Pace it evenly and the flat route rewards both the legs and the heart.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to lots of turns.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 115m
- Elevation loss
- 122m
- Highest point
- 255m
- Lowest point
- 217m
- Net drop
- -7m
- Start
- North Bank Park area
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
Course Records
Race History
The Columbus Marathon was first held in 1980 and has grown into a flat, fast course through the Ohio capital, famous in recent years for its inspiring young hospital "patient champions" stationed along the route. Backed by Nationwide Children's Hospital, it built an identity around a powerful charitable mission alongside its speed. From its founding it became a popular Boston-qualifying destination. Held each October, it draws a large, emotionally supported field.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- John Glenn Columbus (CMH), Rickenbacker (LCK)
- Best area to stay
- Downtown for proximity to the route, the Short North for trendy boutique stays, and German Village for charming, characterful options on the course.
- Getting to the start
- The start and finish are downtown; walk from downtown hotels, as it's a compact central course.