Gary Smith Worthington Classic

This year’s event will be held virtually! Complete your race anytime between May 1 and June 30th! Report your results here by July 1st!

"Run as hard as you can... then let your heart take you the rest of the way." 
- Gary Smith

Event Details

• Date: May 1 through June 30th
• Location: Anywhere!
• Distance: 5 mile run/walk, 1 mile kids run
• Pre-Race Packet Pick-Up: Fleet Feet Lewis Center, 1270 E Powell RD, April 28th through May 10th, or pay $12 to have you packet shipped!
• Entry Fee:
  • 5 Mile Run/Walk: $30
  • 1 Mile Kids Run: $10
• All participants a Gary Smith 5 Miler Tee

The Gary Smith Worthington Classic was formed for and by people that love, support, admire, and thank the late Gary Smith for his devoted and dedicated years as coach and teacher for the Worthington School district.

This event is a fantastic and fun event to show the love to this man, and to sponsor scholarships to Thomas Worthington students.
 
Runners and Walkers are welcome! 

The Gary Smith Worthington Classic benefits a Scholarship fund in Gary's name. Scholarships are awarded to three deserving students each year.  Gary spent his life standing up for those who would be considered by most to be among life's underdogs, and making sure they got a fair chance.
 
Typically, we take on a great course through Worthington. "Old School" runners might remember the course as the infamous May Classic Course. What was once the old May Classic, a premier event in Ohio for over 30 years, is now the Gary Smith Worthington Classic.The race starts and finishes at the Thomas Worthington High School Track & Field facility.

The Gary Smith Worthington Classic was named in honor of a phenomenal teacher, coach and friend to many Central Ohio runners who passed away after battling cancer in 1998. 
 
 The race, started by former Cardinals athletes and their families, is sponsored by the City of Worthington and the Gary Smith Race Committee, in conjunction with the Healthy Worthington Coalition.
 
During his 31 year career, Gary coached several state championship teams and athletes but was known most of all for his integrity and deep commitment to the well-being of his athletes and students. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he died on the last day of school in 1998. Students brought candles, mementos, and signs to the fence in front of the track to grieve him. Eight hundred people attended his memorial service, where the idea for this race was born.
 
The course: The 5 mile course now starts on school property beside the varsity baseball field. Check out the course map here. The kids mile race will be held on the track.