Columbus Marathon guide

Sun, Oct 18, 2026 · Columbus, OH, USA · Start 7:30 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Start and finish are both at North Bank Park, 311 W Long St, in downtown Columbus.
Convenient areas to stay
Downtown and the Arena District are walkable to the start and the Greater Columbus Convention Center expo.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time come from the official site but haven't been re-checked for this edition. Aid station mile markers are approximate.
Plan around before race morning
  • Downtown roads close early, so walk if you can.
  • Aid station locations are approximate; check the official course map.
  • Pick up your packet at the convention center before race day.

Sources for Columbus Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Date
Sun, Oct 18, 2026
Distance
Marathon
Start time
7:30 AM
Start location
North Bank Park, 311 W Long St
Finish location
North Bank Park, 311 W Long St
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 0–1 · +20 ft
  • Mile 1–2 · +20 ft
  • Mile 2–3 · +20 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 0–1 · −20 ft
  • Mile 1–2 · −20 ft
  • Mile 2–3 · −20 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +20 / −20 ft · Flat course with minimal elevation change (708–835 ft). Course totals ≈ 531 ft gain / 531 ft loss (source: FindMyMarathon; official map confirms minimal change).
  • Mile 1–2 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 21–22 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 23–24 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +20 / −20 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +4 / −4 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 2

    GEL

    First station — heavy congestion, take fluid on the far side.

  • Mile 4

  • Mile 6

  • Mile 8

    GEL

    Gels available just past the tables.

  • Mile 10

  • Mile 12

  • Mile 14

    GEL

  • Mile 16

  • Mile 18

    GEL

    Last full-service station before the closing miles.

  • Mile 20

  • Mile 22

    GEL

  • Mile 23

  • Mile 25

    GEL

    Final fluids before the finish chute.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib worn visibly on the front. Photo ID required at packet pickup; no race-day pickup. No bandits, pets, strollers or unregistered pacers. Bib on the front; clear bag gear check. Pacers provided.
Cutoff times
Approximately a 7-hour course limit.
Transportation
Downtown start/finish is walkable from most hotels. COTA buses and rideshare are available; road closures begin early.
Other notes
Course, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and are not yet officially verified — confirm timings and logistics with the organizer before race weekend. Aid station mile markers are approximate — official locations are only published on the organizer's course map; check it before race day.

Verification date unavailable. Source

Race week & expo

  • Greater Columbus Convention Center

    400 N High St, Columbus, OH

    Fri, Oct 16, 20264:00 PM – 11:00 PM
    Sat, Oct 17, 20261:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Bib, shirt and race packet are collected together at the expo. Nothing is mailed and there is no race-morning pickup — plan to attend on one of the open days.
    ID requirements
    Government-issued photo ID required for every runner. Picking up for someone else requires a signed authorisation form and a copy of their ID.
    Parking
    Paid garages at the convention center.
    Transit
    Rideshare drop-off at the main entrance; transit and hotel shuttles serve the venue on expo days.

    Verification date unavailable. No source on file.

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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