FAQs
REGISTRATION POLICIES
I don't remember if I registered or not. Can I confirm my 2025 registration?
Yes! You may confirm your 2025 event registration here.
What is your race change policy?
To change the race you are participating in, please use the "Manage Registration" link in your e-confirmation. Event changes will permitted until September 19, 2025 or when the event you are transferring into sells out, whichever occurs first.
- If you are switching from the 1/2 Marathon to the full Marathon, you will be charged the additional $15 for the upgraded event.
- If you are switching from the full Marathon to the 1/2 Marathon: there is no charge to downgrade to the 1/2 Marathon; however, you will not be refunded the difference in price.
- If you are switching from the 1/2 Marathon to the 5K or 1-Mile: there is no charge to downgrade to the 5K or 1-Mile; however, you will not be refunded the difference in price.
What is your race transfer policy?
To transfer your entry to another runner, please use the "Manage Registration" link in your e-confirmation. Transfers must be initiated by September 17, 2025; this date has been established due to our bib printing timeline. There is a $30 fee to transfer a bib; this fee is charged when the runner receiving the transfer completes the process.
What is your refund policy?
We do not offer refunds. This includes requests made due to injury, surgery, pregnancy, personal circumstances, date conflicts and professional commitments. This is an industry standard policy and not unique to our event.
Should the event in which you are registered sell out, you may have the opportunity to place your entry on RunSignup's wait list for that event. You will only receive a refund should your entry be pulled from the wait list before October 15, 2025. Wait listed entries will be utilized in the order in which they are added.
If your event does not sell out, or your entry is not pulled from the wait list, the standard policy of no refunds/no deferrals will apply.
What is your deferral policy?
No deferrals (“carry-overs” or “transfers”) of entry to future years are permitted. Your entry fees from a previous year cannot be deferred or applied to the 2026 event, nor can your entry fees from this year be deferred or applied to a future event. This includes requests made due to injury, surgery, pregnancy, personal circumstances, date conflicts and professional commitments.
Should the event in which you are registered sell out, you may have the opportunity to place your entry on RunSignup's wait list for that event. You will only receive a refund should your entry be pulled from the wait list before October 15, 2025. Wait listed entries will be utilized in the order in which they are added.
If your event does not sell out, or your entry is not pulled from the wait list, the standard policy of no refunds/no deferrals will apply.
Am I able to change my shirt size before the event?
To change your shirt size, please use the "Manage Registration" link in your e-confirmation. Shirt size changes will be permitted until September 19, 2025.
Am I able to change my estimated finishing time before the event?
To change your estimated finish time, please use the "Manage Registration" link in your e-confirmation. Changes to estimated finish times will be permitted until September 19, 2025.
How old must you be to participate in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon or 1/2 Marathon?
You must be the following age to participate in each of our events. Due to insurance restrictions, there will be no exceptions to this policy, even with parental permission and/or a doctors’ note.
- 1-Mile: 10 years of age (as of 10/18/25)
- 5K: 10 years of age (as of 10/18/25)
- 1/2 Marathon: 12 years old (as of 10/19/25)
- Marathon: 16 years of age (as of 10/19/25)
My child is younger than the established age requirements. May I push them in a stroller?
For the safety of all participants, strollers are not allowed and may be removed from the course.
Does this apply to the 5K and 1 Mile events as well?
Yes. For the safety of all participants, strollers are not allowed in any of our four race events and may be removed from the course.
I'm hesitant to enter my credit card or bank account information online. Is there any way I can register with a check or mail-in form?
Unfortunately, we do not offer registration by phone or mail-in registration forms. We understand that some participants are more hesitant than others to enter their credit card information online; in those instances, we suggest that you buy a VISA gift card at any local retailer (Kroger, Giant Eagle, etc.) and use that card to complete registration. This way, you are not entering any personal banking information or accounts online, but you are still able to complete the transaction.
EXPO + PACKET PICK-UP
Where and when does the Health & Fitness Expo take place?
The Health & Fitness Expo will be held in Hall D of the Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High Street. Hours are:
- Friday, October 17 from Noon - 7 pm
- Saturday, October 18 from 9 am - 6 pm
Can I pick up someone else's race packet at the expo?
Whenever possible, participants should attend the Expo in person and pick up their own bibs. We recognize that personal and professional emergencies may arise, and proxy is intended as a stopgap for those circumstances that conflict with attending the Expo. Using proxy pickup as a method in which to use another participant’s race number is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification from all future events.
Online proxy forms are available HERE. You will need a copy of this form, plus a copy of the picture ID for each person for whom you are picking up. While the process will remain the same as in prior years, you may experience increased scrutiny on proxy pickups this year.
Please note that there will be a limit of two (2) proxy forms per person, not including your own packet.
Wait, I need to bring that person’s ID?
No. You need only a COPY of the person’s ID. We do accept electronic images on smart devices.
CHILDREN'S CHAMPIONS
I love seeing the Marathon Mile Champions on the course each year! Will they be part of the 2025 race?
We are thrilled to welcome a brand new set of Marathon Mile Champions to our 2025 event, and look forward to introducing them throughout the year! We will again welcome our returning past champions to our Alumni Mile.
Will I be able to do fundraising as a Children’s Champion?
Yes. Helping Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a key part of our mission in putting on this race each year, and we thank you for your fundraising!
RACE DAY + COURSE
Where do I park? Can I purchase parking in advance?
There are a variety of garages that are in close proximity to our Start/Finish line, and you may view a map or purchase parking in advance of race day. Specific information will be available beginning in August.
Do you offer runner tracking? How do I sign up?
Yes, we offer runner tracking through RTRT. You may sign up for tracking beginning in October.
How many fluid stations do you have? What is served?
We have 17 fluid stations on our course, and two gel stations on the second half of the full marathon. Fluid stations will serve water and lemon-lime Gatorade Endurance. Please view our course map HERE for specific locations.
GU energy gel will provided at miles 15.5 and 20.7 of the marathon. Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Outrage contain caffeine; Strawberry Banana and Raspberry Lemonade are caffeine-free.
Do you have porta-potties on the course? How often?
Porta-potties will be available at each of our 17 aid stations. Please view our course map HERE for specific locations.
Will you provide pace teams?
Yes! The Striding Sliders, sponsored by White Castle, will be on course for the marathon and 1/2 Marathon! Check back for specific times beginning in March!
Will you have photographers on course? How do I purchase photos?
MarathonFoto will have their team on course capturing race day! Links will be provided to purchase photos following the event. Please note: while MarathonFoto will begin uploading images the day after the race, it may take up to a week for all images to be available.
What are the course limits? Can I walk?
The course limit for our 1/2 Marathon is 4:00 (18:20 minute/mile pace). The course limit for our full marathon is 6:30 (14:53 minute/mile pace). Walking is encouraged and welcome! Many participants successfully complete our events each year by either walking or combining walking and running for a wonderful race day experience!
I prefer to run with a personal hydration device. Is this allowed?
Yes. Camelbaks, hydration vests, and other personal hydration devices are permitted. They are, however, subject to search in all secure areas.
Can I run or walk with headphones or another personal music device?
The short answer is yes. USA Track & Field Rule 144.3, which pertains to the use of headphones and other electronic devices, enables race directors to choose to allow the use of headphones by runners in non-championship races. The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon will allow its participants to use an iPod or other personal listening device, but we ask that you keep the volume at a level that enables you to be alert to your surroundings in case there is an emergency. The only exception to this rule is elite athletes (any athlete competing for prize money) – they are not allowed to use iPods or personal listening devices of any kind.
Are you allowed to push a jogging stroller or wheelchair in any of the races?
No. You are not allowed to run or walk while pushing a jogging stroller or wheelchair. Additionally, bicyclists (with the exception of Marathon-sanctioned bicycle athlete escorts), in-line skaters, dogs, etc. are not allowed on the course – only registered participants are allowed on the race course during the event.
