Columbus Marathon Returns October 19

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon will be making its annual trek through Harrison West on Sunday, October 19. This event helps raise more than $1 million a year for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and organizers want to help ensure the neighborhood is impacted as little as possible.

Approximately 5,000 runners and walkers will pass through Harrison West, following a route on Fifth Ave. to Perry St., Perry to Third, and finally Third to Neil Ave. before heading to the finish line in the Arena District. The lead runners will be arriving around 9 a.m., with the final walker coming through around 2 p.m.

Here is information to help you navigate things while enjoying the experience of one of Columbus’ largest community events:

• Signs signaling the race is coming will be placed on the “islands” at the bike path crossings on Third Ave. and Fifth Ave. on Monday, October 13.
• Signs informing drivers to use Michigan Ave. North and South of Third Ave. will be placed during Race Weekend, October 18-19. 

• Traffic going North of Third Ave. on Michigan will be directed to Fifth Ave, which will remain open to westbound traffic throughout the event. This allows traffic to access Battelle/King/Cannon and Rt. 315 South, as well as Olentangy River Rd./315 North.
• Traffic going South of Third Ave. on Michigan will be directed to Goodale St., which will be fully open.

• Police officers will allow vehicles to pass between gaps in groups of runners; this happens more as the day goes on; by 1 p.m. the gaps will be frequent. 
• Fliers about the race passing through the neighborhood will be dropped at homes on Perry, Third and Neil over the next few weeks.

Race Director Darris Blackford wishes to acknowledge the kindness and support residents show the event each year, and said if anyone has specific questions about getting in and out of the neighborhood during the race to send an email to info@columbusmarathon.com, and he will personally respond.