FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon &
1/2 Marathon Sells Out In Record Time
This is the Eighth Straight Year Every Spot Has Been Sold for the Race
(COLUMBUS, OH) - For the eighth consecutive year, the Nationwide Children's
Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is sold out.
Darris Blackford, Race Director, said the timing of the sell-out breaks
last year's record by nearly a month, with a field of 18,000 athletes
competing Sunday, October 19, 2014. Blackford attributes the marathon's
partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital as a main reason for the
fast sell-out, along with the marathon's growing national reputation as a
fast and fun course.
"More than 10 percent of our field qualifies for the Boston Marathon,"
Blackford said. "With a new start and finish line, more than 100
entertainers along the course, and Nationwide Children's Hospital patient
champions along every mile, we're becoming a must attend event in the
running world."
Blackford said 7,000 participants will compete in the full marathon, and
11,000 will take part in the 1/2 marathon. He said anyone can get involved
to support Nationwide Children's Hospital through the Children's Champions
program.
The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1Ž2 Marathon will
start at North Bank Park near downtown Columbus at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday,
October 19. The course will be open until 3 p.m.
About The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1Ž2 Marathon
The 35th Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1Ž2 Marathon
will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014 and will feature a sold-out field of
7,000 full Marathoners and 11,000 1/2 Marathoners. The Nationwide
Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon is the largest marathon in Ohio and
the 17th largest in the United States. For more information, visit
www.columbusmarathon.com.
About Nationwide Children's Hospital
Nationwide Children's Hospital is honored to serve as the title beneficiary
of the Nationwide Children's' Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.
"Patient Champions" will represent 24 of the 26.2 miles on this year's
course. The other two miles along the Marathon route will be deemed the
"Encore Mile" (Patient Champions from 2012 and 2013) and "Angel Mile"
(dedicated to the angels of Nationwide Children's who have passed on). The
Patient Champions and their families will cheer on participants and serve
as a visual reminder of how the marathon is helping ill and injured
children. Children's Champions are participants who chose to run, walk or
cheer for the marathon or 1/2 marathon while fundraising for Nationwide
Children's Hospital. As a Children's Champion, these hundreds of
individuals are reaching beyond personal training goals to support another
mission. To cure, to mend, and comfort each child that walks through the
doors of Nationwide Children's. Their fundraising efforts help provide
every child with the highest quality of care, regardless of the child's
diagnosis or the family's ability to pay. The marathon and 1/2 marathon
may be full, but there's still time to become a Children's Champion. To
learn more about the Patient Champions or fundraising efforts visit
nationwidechildrens.org/marathon.
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