Columbus Marathon 2022: Road closings, race routes, and all you need to know

For avid marathon runners in Greater Columbus, it will soon be time to lace up those sneakers!

The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon will kick off its 42nd year Sunday at 7:30 a.m. at North Bank Park, 311 W. Long Street. The half marathon, now in its 16th year, also will begin at 7:30 a.m.

After the event was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, more than 8,000 athletes participated in the 2021 Columbus Marathon, and more than $1 million was raised for Nationwide Children's Hospital.

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So far, this year's event will have about 12,000 participants, including 3,000 people in the marathon, race director Darris Blackford said.

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"We're really proud to showcase Columbus," he said. "The wonderful neighborhoods, the wonderful weather ... the leaves are changing. It's such a nice showcase of autumn here in Columbus."

Columbus Marathon weekend will include new 5K, 1-mile races

This year's marathon will have the addition of 5K and 1-mile races Saturday. Both the 5K, and the 1-mile fun run and walk, will honor the legacy of Ohio State University and Olympic runner Jesse Owens. They are being coordinated with the Jesse Owens Foundation, according to a news release.

The 5K will be similar to the Jesse Owens Jog, a 2.62‐mile fun run and walk that was held during marathon weekend from 2015 to 2019 and targeted the Black community. Blackford said the idea for the 5K came when Owen's daughter Marlene Owens Rankin expressed interest in expanding the jog to a wider audience.

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"I said, 'That's great.' Let's grow it and let's bring back not only African American wellness but the overall community," he said. "And from there, it just took off."

The 5K will take place at 11 a.m. at North Bank Park and is open for people ages 12 and older. Meanwhile, the 1-miler will start at 12:30 p.m. with anyone ages 6 and older eligible to participate.

In addition, there will be a kids run at McFerson Commons Park,218 West St., at 1 p.m. for kids ages 11 and younger.

How can I register for the marathon?

The marathon is sold out, but people can still register for the half marathon and other events. The race fee for the half marathon is $130, the 5K is $50 and the 1-mile run/walk is $35.

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Online registration closed Wednesday at midnight, but people will still be able sign up for races at the Race Expo and Packet Pickup inside the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High Street, Friday and Saturday, Blackford said.

What is the race route?

The 26.2-mile marathon will start at North Bank Park, then travel down East Broad Street through Downtown and into Bexley. Runners will then turn on Drexel Avenue and go back on a route that includes Main Street, Broad Street, and Livingston Avenue, eventually passing Nationwide Children's Hospital and German Village. Next, participants will travel on High Street in the Short North and University District, then through Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights before circling back to the park.

The route for the half marathon is 13.1 miles and covers the first half of the full marathon route into Bexley and back to High Street. After going through German Village, runners will finish at North Bank.

What roads will be closed?

With thousands of people headed Downtown, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to park. Come up with a parking plan ahead of race day, and try to get there early.

This map shows multiple options for places to park in the Arena District.

Folks going Downtown should expect road closures, which will also play a part in arrival time.

Beginning Thursday at 9:30 a.m., West Long Street will be closed between Neil Avenue and Hanover Street, Columbus police said in a news release. Then on Saturday, beginning at midnight, West Spring Street will be closed between Neil Avenue and Hanover Street.

Here are the roads that will be closed on Sunday beginning at 4 a.m.

• Cozzins Street at West Spring Street

• West Spring Street at West Street

• Neil Avenue at New Public Lane

• Marconi Boulevard at West Street

• West Long Street at Marconi Boulevard

• East Long Street at North High Street

• West Broad Street at High Street

All roadways should be reopened by 6 p.m., according to police.

Will there be COVID-19 restrictions this year?

Unlike last year's marathon, where all athletes, volunteers, event personnel and vendors in an “active athlete area" —  such as the Health and Fitness Expo, start/finish areas and fluid stations —  had to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, there will be no protocols this year, Blackford said.

The board of trustees eliminated all COVID-19 protocols last month. However, the board recommends all participants, volunteers, vendors and others involved with the event be vaccinated and encourages mask wearing indoors at the Health and Fitness Expo and in other indoor areas during race weekend.

mwalker@dispatch.com

@micah_walker701

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Marathon 2022: What to know