FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
Breaks Participant Record
Approximately $875,000 raised for Nationwide Children's Hospital
in first-ever partnership
(COLUMBUS, OH – Oct. 21, 2012) – Near perfect running conditions, 25
patient champions from Nationwide Children's Hospital, 100-plus bands and
entertainment along the course and a first-ever trip through Ohio Stadium
for marathoners highlighted the 33rd annual race today.
"The partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital has brought a whole
new level of engagement and meaning to this race. We heard from many of our
athletes today that the patient champions at each mile gave them motivation
to keep pushing forward," said Darris Blackford, Race Director of the
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon. "This is just the start
of many more great things for this partnership."
Each mile of the race was represented by a patient from Nationwide
Children's Hospital. The patients and their families were along every mile
of the course to cheer on athletes and serve as a visual reminder of how
the marathon is helping ill and injured children.
When the partnership was announced in February, the Columbus Marathon
issued a "call to commit" and offered a participant match of $100,000 to be
directed to the Nationwide Children's Hospital. That match has multiplied
and to date, approximately $875,000 has been raised for the hospital
through the Columbus Marathon.
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Race
Craig Curley of Tuscon, AZ won the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus
Marathon in 2:19:01, ending five years of Ohioan dominance in the event.
The 33rd annual race featured the largest marathon field in event history
with 5,470 finishers.
Lauren Woodring of Bethel Park, PA won the female full marathon in 2:45:29.
Additionally, an event record of 1:13:32 was set in the female 1/2 marathon
by Katie McGregor of Savage, MN. Julius Koskei, of Kenya won the 1/2
marathon in 1:03:44. An event record of 9,931 finished the 1/2 marathon.
A sold-out record field of 18,000 athletes registered this year, up from
17,000 in 2011. The combined events have sold out for six straight years
and the marathon continues to be the largest marathon in Ohio.
In addition to the partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital, a key
enhancement to the 2012 marathon was the inclusion of Ohio Stadium as part
of the racecourse.
The 34th annual Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon and 1/2
Marathon will take place Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. For more information on
today's race and full race results, visit www.columbusmarathon.com.
TOP FINISHERS
Marathon Male
-Craig Curley, Tucson, AZ 2:19:03
-James Boitt, Kenya 2:21:16
-Philip Lagat, Kenya 2:22:28
Marathon Female
-Lauren Woodring, Bethel Park, PA 2:45:29
-Renee High, Virginia Beach, VA 2:47:30
-Heidi Greenwood, Cleveland Heights 2:47:45
1/2 Marathon Male
-Julius Koskei, Kenya 1:03:44
-George Towett, Kenya 1:04:11
-Philemon Terer, Kenya 1:04:21
1/2 Marathon Female
-Katie McGregor, Savage, MN 1:13:32*
-Mariska Kramer, Netherlands 1:15:48
-Maura Lemon, Vandalia, OH 1:17:21
Marathon – Wheelchair Male
-Josh George, Champaign, IL 1:47:42
-Aaron Pike, Champaign, IL 1:49:04
-Travis Dodson, Champaign, IL 1:49:05
*Event record
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