Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Breaks Participant Record

Approximately $875,000 raised for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in first-ever partnership

(COLUMBUS, OH – Oct. 21, 2012) – Near perfect running conditions, 25 patient champions from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 100-plus bands and entertainment along the course and a first-ever trip through Ohio Stadium for marathoners highlighted the 33rd annual race today.

“The partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital has brought a whole new level of engagement and meaning to this race. We heard from many of our athletes today that the patient champions at each mile gave them motivation to keep pushing forward,” said Darris Blackford, Race Director of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon. “This is just the start of many more great things for this partnership.”

Each mile of the race was represented by a patient from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The patients and their families were along every mile of the course to cheer on athletes and serve as a visual reminder of how the marathon is helping ill and injured children.

When the partnership was announced in February, the Columbus Marathon issued a “call to commit” and offered a participant match of $100,000 to be directed to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital. That match has multiplied and to date, approximately $875,000 has been raised for the hospital through the Columbus Marathon.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Race

Craig Curley of Tuscon, AZ won the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon in 2:19:01, ending five years of Ohioan dominance in the event. The 33rd annual race featured the largest marathon field in event history with 5,470 finishers.

Lauren Woodring of Bethel Park, PA won the female full marathon in 2:45:29.

Additionally, an event record of 1:13:32 was set in the female 1/2 marathon by Katie McGregor of Savage, MN. Julius Koskei, of Kenya won the 1/2 marathon in 1:03:44. An event record of 9,931 finished the 1/2 marathon.

A sold-out record field of 18,000 athletes registered this year, up from 17,000 in 2011. The combined events have sold out for six straight years and the marathon continues to be the largest marathon in Ohio.

In addition to the partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a key enhancement to the 2012 marathon was the inclusion of Ohio Stadium as part of the racecourse.

The 34th annual Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon will take place Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. For more information on today’s race and full race results, visit www.columbusmarathon.com.

Top Finishers

Marathon Male

Marathon Female

1/2 Marathon Male

1/2 Marathon Female

Marathon – Wheelchair Male

*Event record