Mostly flat and fast course that starts in downtown Columbus and goes through Bexley, Old Town East, German Village, Short North, OSU campus, Upper Arlington, Grandview, Victorian Village and finishes at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Marathon

Post-Race Review/ Results

Rono revealed a breathtaking final kick, crossing the finish line outside Nationwide Arena in 2 hours, 15 minutes, 27 seconds to a swell of cheers and applause. 

What had been a neck-and-neck race between Rono and fellow Kenyan Joseph Nderitu turned into a 28-second blowout in the span of only a little over a mile.

Kenyan makes it look easy in winning Columbus Marathon

Polish runner relishes 2:36:28 win

The biggest obstacle to Marzanna Helbik winning the women's division of the Columbus Marathon yesterday was coming at her, not trying to catch her. 

The Polish runner was cruising the final quarter-mile as she headed south on Park Street toward a right turn and a downhill finish at Nationwide Arena. Suddenly, a fire truck with lights flashing headed her way. Helbik deftly veered right of the center stripe and raced home to victory in 2 hours, 36 minutes, 28 seconds. 

Other than the little diversion and some side stitches in the 22nd and 23rd miles, Helbik was never challenged after pulling away from defending champion Tatiana Titova early in the race.

Nothing, no one gets in the way of women's winner in Columbus Marathon

Rono "will remember this in my heart"

Kenyan Elly Rono is men's winner in Columbus (Ohio) Marathon; Marzanna Helbik of Poland conquers women's crowd

Kenyan Elly Rono is men's winner in Columbus (Ohio) Marathon

Pre-Race Review/ Lineup

Julie Isphording's time the one to beat in Oct. 29 race

This year, the incentive for breaking Isphording's record in the Columbus Marathon has been fattened. Anyone setting a new women's or men's record will receive a $25,000 bonus, Columbus Marathon officials announced last week.
The bonus in the past - including both years Isphording broke the record - was $10,000.
The cash award for breaking the men's record has never been distributed, because Swedish-born runner Tommy Persson recorded a time of 2:11:02 in the first Columbus Marathon 20 years ago that has never been beaten.

Marathon Summary

Marathon Results