FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Nationwide
Extend Partnership To 2024
Nationwide Children's Hospital will remain title beneficiary of the event
(COLUMBUS, OH – February 12, 2020)– The Columbus Marathon and Nationwide
announced today that they have renewed their partnership for the annual
running and walking event through 2024. The two organizations also
announced that Nationwide Children's Hospital will remain the title
beneficiary of the event for the next five years.
When the initial three-year agreement was signed eight years ago,
Nationwide gifted the naming rights of the event to Nationwide Children's
Hospital, creating the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon &
1/2 Marathon. The event has raised more than $9 million for the Hospital
since 2012.
"We're excited to extend this incredible community collaboration for
another five years," said Kirt Walker, Nationwide's Chief Executive
Officer. "The partnership has exceeded expectations in terms of impact and
results for our community. We're immensely thankful for all the support
given over the years, and we encourage corporate partners who aren't yet
involved to consider joining us to support this important cause."
Other major corporate sponsors of the event since the partnership was
formed include L Brands Foundation and The Dispatch Media Group.
Additionally, the Columbus Marathon Board has donated $1.2 million during
the last eight years.
Race participants also have the opportunity to contribute by making a
voluntary gift at registration or joining the "Children's Champion"
fundraising program organized by Nationwide Children's Hospital. Gifts from
the community are also welcome.
Dan Leite, Chairman of the 11-member Marathon Board of Directors, said the
decision to renew was easily made, while the length of the agreement
showcases the strength and benefits that have resulted from the
partnership. This is the second consecutive time the partnership has been
extended for five years.
"This partnership and our event have always centered around befitting our
community, as this amazing joint effort has led to an incredible level of
support for Nationwide Children's Hospital," Leite said. "Our Board is
extremely excited about our continued efforts to enable the hospital to
make miracles happen for children and their families."
"We want to thank Nationwide and the Columbus Marathon Board of Directors
for their continued support of Nationwide Children's Hospital," said
Nationwide Children's Hospital CEO Tim Robinson. "During the past eight
years this partnership has proven how engaged the runners and the community
are as a whole in supporting us."
Darris Blackford, Race Director, said specific benefits from the
partnership include increased awareness for the race, which has led more
businesses to provide in-kind support of products and services and their
employees to volunteer as a way to "give back" to a far-reaching
communityminded event.
"We are finding a high level of support as a result of partnering with an
institution as important as Nationwide Children's Hospital," Blackford
said. "Whether people are running, walking, volunteering or providing
support, it is for the kids."
Each year, each of the 24 miles of the Marathon features a patient from
Nationwide Children's Hospital. These "Patient Champions" and their
families cheer on athletes and serve as a visual reminder of how the event
helps ill and injured children. Additionally, children who participated as
Patient Champions in previous years gather at one spot known as "the Encore
Mile," while another is "the Angel Mile" to honor children who have passed
away. To learn about all the patients and ways to get involved, please
visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/Marathon.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the
largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services
organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M.
Best and Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customerfocused
innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial
services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life
insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual
funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat
insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on
Facebook and Twitter.
Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are
service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2020
About The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
Registration opened February 1 for the 41st annual Nationwide Children's
Hospital Columbus Marathon and the 15th edition of the 1/2 Marathon. The
2020 race will be held Sunday, Oct. 18.
Founded in 1980, the Columbus Marathon is one of the top 20 largest
marathons in the country. The 1/2 Marathon is the largest held in Columbus.
About Nationwide Children's Hospital
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report's 2019-20 list
of "Best Children's Hospitals," Nationwide Children's Hospital is one of
America's largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric health care systems
providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative
care for infants, children and adolescents, as well as adult patients with
congenital disease. Nationwide Children's has a staff of more than 13,000
providing state-of-theart pediatric care during more than 1.5 million
patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The
Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children's physicians
train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The
Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital is one
of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded freestanding pediatric
research facilities. More information is available at
NationwideChildrens.org
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