You'll gather at North Bank Park downtown before a 7:30 a.m. start on a mid-October Sunday, with cool temperatures that suit a hard effort. The course has minimal elevation change, roughly 520 feet of gain spread over long, gentle rises, and it tours the Ohio Statehouse and the brick streets of historic German Village, then Bexley, Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights before a pass through the Ohio State campus beside the stadium. You finish back downtown near Nationwide Arena, where the half-marathon crowd makes the final blocks loud. The 6:30 course limit is comfortable for most, and about 4,000 finish the full each year. It sells out months ahead, so register early. The flat profile makes it a popular place to chase a Boston time, and the Children's Hospital tie-in gives the day a purpose beyond your watch.
Minimal elevation change on a downtown start/finish loop that passes the Ohio Statehouse and German Village, then tours Bexley, Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights and the Ohio State campus. Course map ↗
2026 marathon and half are SOLD OUT; 5K still open via RunSignUp. No refunds or deferrals to a future year; event-change deadline was Sept 18. Third-party listings show 2026 fees of $95-$170. 2027 opening date not announced. Register ↗
- Run annually since 1980 (an inaugural edition was held June 4, 1978); the 1980 race drew 2,500 runners. ↗
- The marathon time limit is 6:30 and the half 4:00; both start at 7:30 am from North Bank Park. ↗
- 2026 marks the 15th year of the Nationwide Children's Hospital partnership, which has raised more than $15 million. ↗
- Find My Marathon lists 523 ft of gain, a 'Mostly Flat' profile and a 6.7% Boston-qualifier rate in 2025 (14.4% in 2022). ↗
- The men's course record of 2:11:02 was set by Tommy Persson in 1980 and still stands. ↗
Checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site before booking travel.