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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 | ||||
| 1/2 Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge | Other | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $205 | – |
| 1/2 Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge Fundraiser | Other | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $205 | – |
| Jesse Owens 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk | Kids | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $30 | – |
| Jesse Owens 5K | 5K | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $50 | – |
| Jesse Owens 5K Fundraiser | 5K | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $50 | – |
| Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge | Ultra | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $150 | – |
| Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge Fundraiser | Ultra | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $150 | – |
| Fundraising Only | – | Oct 17, 202611:00 AM | Free | – |
| Jesse Owens 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk Fundraiser | Kids | Oct 17, 202611:00 AM | $30 | – |
| Kids' Run presented by White Castle | Kids | Oct 17, 202611:00 AM | Free | – |
| Sunday, Oct 18, 2026 | ||||
| 1/2 Marathon | Half Marathon | Oct 18, 20267:30 AM | $155 | – |
| 1/2 Marathon Fundraiser | Half Marathon | Oct 18, 20267:30 AM | $155 | – |
| Marathon | Marathon | Oct 18, 20267:30 AM | $110 | – |
| Marathon Fundraiser | Marathon | Oct 18, 20267:30 AM | $110 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Online registration closes Oct 16, 2026, unless the race fills first.
At $110, entry is about 19 percent above a typical marathon in Ohio, which costs $92.50 right now.
A typical finisher at a marathon in Ohio runs 4:00:26, about 9:10 a mile, based on 20 races with published results. Women typically finish in 4:17:49 and men in 3:51:42.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:43 AM, and the 1/2 Marathon + Gold Medal Challenge starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 720 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
North Bank Park, Columbus, OH 43215
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Aggregated from official results (Columbus Running Company) for Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Jesse Owens 5K, 1 Mile & Kids Run. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
At the 2025 Jesse Owens 5K, the fastest tenth finished in 25:06 or better, the top quarter in 28:56, and half the field in 34:36; the last tenth came in after 54:23.
At the 2025 Jesse Owens 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, the fastest tenth finished in 9:23 or better, the top quarter in 12:45, and half the field in 16:02; the last tenth came in after 29:24.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 23:16 | 20:22 |
| 20-29 | 19:23 | 18:44 |
| 30-39 | 20:33 | 17:28 |
| 40-49 | 22:37 | 19:32 |
| 50-59 | 24:42 | 22:19 |
| 60-69 | 27:58 | 25:06 |
| 70+ | 45:48 | 29:19 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Up 174 percent since 2023.
All events combined, from official results.
From 2023 to 2025, the field went from 602 to 1,761 finishers, and the median time dropped from 37:22 to 34:36.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,761 (+74%) | 34:36 | under 25:06 | 16:29 |
| 2024 | 1,012 (+68%) | 35:21 | under 23:08 | 16:13 |
| 2023 | 602 | 37:22 | under 25:31 | 17:22 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
About average for Ohio 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 28:56, against 28:16 in a typical Ohio 5K, so times here are about average.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Around October 17 the day usually runs from 46°F at dawn to 66°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 19% of days. Cold snaps dip to 37°F and hot years reach 76°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
What the organizers of Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Jesse Owens 5K, 1 Mile & Kids Run cover on their registration page, in brief.
Course
Sunday, October 18, 2026. 6am: Corrals Open | 7:25am: Wheelchair Division Start | 7:30am: 1/2 Marathon Start. Location: North Bank Park (311 W Long St, Columbus, OH 43215). THE COURSE. Half the distance and double the fun, the Columbus 1/2…
Course
Consult our course pace chart for details about when participants will reach each mile along the course and when sections of the course will close to participants.
Course
Sunday, October 18, 2026. 6:00am: Corrals Open | 7:25am: Wheelchair Division Start | 7:30am: Marathon Start. Location: North Bank Park (311 W Long St, Columbus, OH 43215). THE COURSE. The Columbus Marathon course features minimal elevation…
Rules and FAQ
Saturday, October 17 | Mile at 9:00 am. Location: North Bank Park (311 W Long St, Columbus, OH 43215). For the safety of all participants, strollers are not allowed. 1 MILE FUN RUN/WALK. Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon weekend is for…
Rules and FAQ
Saturday, October 17 | 9:00am: 5k Start. Location: North Bank Park (311 W Long St, Columbus, OH 43215). For the safety of all participants, strollers are not allowed. THE 5K. Experience what the Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon weekend is…
Rules and FAQ
REGISTRATION POLICIES. I don't remember if I registered or not. Can I confirm my 2026 registration? Yes! You may confirm your 2026 event registration here. What is your race change policy? To change the race you are participating in…
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
JOIN US THIS OCTOBER
There are a million reasons to race with us in Columbus each October. From the fast course to the impactful partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital, race weekend is an experience unlike any other. Learn more HERE.
FOR THE KIDS
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is honored to be the title beneficiary of the Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.
2026 marks the 15th year of this partnership, and more than $15 million has been raised for the hospital. Register to join us at America's Most Meaningful Race!