Columbus Marathon

Ran the half in 2011. Expo is better than others. Course goes through some nice parts of the city and spectators are frequent as are bands and music along the course. Food is passed out in bags at the end which is good for portion management and it's just easier to hold. Seems very well organized.

Great event for first timers. The expo was very easy to get around and had lots of resources for runners. The starting line was great! Just before light, fireworks and AC/DC blared to pump up the crowd. Goosebumps were inevitable. This course is not as flat as many people expect. Around mile 18, the hill really did a number on me. The second gel station was only handing out chocolate when I ran by...this was extremely hard to swallow after 17 or so miles...like forcing down a package of brownie batter. At the finish line, food was handed out in bags and there was plenty for everybody...even those of us who weren't so fast. I am a little worried about the number of participants this year. Last year there were 17,000, which felt a bit much. Early water stations were very crowded. Overall a great race... just needs other flavors of gels that are a little easier to stomach at high mileages, and more access to water for the high number of runners early in the race.

I ran the Columbus Marathon in 2011 and I found it to be extremely well run. I have run this race twice before and this was by far the most well organized it has been. One of the best things about it was that at the end they gave you a premade bag of food so there was no chance of running out of food because the people who finished ahead of you took too much food (which has happened in races before). They also had a very well organized family reunion area. It made it very easy to find family after the race because they had pre designated spaces based on your last name. The path was also very clearly marked, better than it has been in the past.

I did this race back in 1999, still my PB unfortunately! (2:49) - very happy that day, super windy, not able to remember much as I was so focused on racing I don't believe I recall anything else....but we did run through Ohio State University, the crowds were excellent in some parts, it was not a tough course but from a big city like Toronto I had trouble finding a decent place to eat (variety and choice)....maybe it's better now? Certainly the race seems to have flourished and for the GTA crowd it's an 8hr drive. Road Trip!