FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarah Irvin
(614) 443-4565
Heather Biddulph
(614) 299-8704
26th Columbus Marathon Set for October 16
Relay cap established for first time
COLUMBUS, Ohio - (Oct. 6, 2005) - Thousands of runners and walkers are in
final preparation for the 26th running of the Columbus Marathon and
Columbus Marathon Relay on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005.
"For the first year ever, we've been forced to cap the Columbus Marathon
Relay at 850 teams," said Mike Collins, executive director of the Columbus
Marathon. "The relay continues to grow exponentially each year and we're
implementing the cap to ensure that all our runners and walkers enjoy a
great Columbus Marathon experience."
According to Running USA's Road Running Information Center, the 2004
Columbus Marathon was the 18th largest marathon in the United States. To
continue its great running tradition, the Columbus Marathon is offering
runners and walkers even more fun along the course. A new partnership with
the Ohio National Guard will get the marathon started with a full color
guard and fly-over. In addition, there will be at least 12 designated
Columbus Marathon neighborhood parties along the course sponsored by Panera
Bread and barbershop quartets, rock bands, jazz groups, polka bands and
more will entertain runners and walkers along the route.
The Columbus Marathon weekend kicks off on Friday, Oct. 14 when the
Columbus Marathon Expo presented by WOW! Internet and Cable and NewsCenter
opens at Battelle Hall from noon to 7:00pm. The Expo will feature more than
60 running and health and fitness related booths, Family Fun Zone with
activities for kids of all areas, interactive games including the Ohio
National Guard climbing wall, running and walking seminars and participant
registration and packet pickup. The Expo will re-open on Saturday, Oct. 15
from 9am-7pm The first-ever Columbus Marathon Ringling Bros. Red Nose
Children's Run festivities and registration will begin at 11:30am at
Franklin Park, with the actual races taking place at 1:00pm. The shotgun
will go off for the 26th running of the Columbus Marathon and Relay at
8:00am Sunday, Oct. 16 in downtown Columbus from the corner of Broad and
High St. The wheelchair racers will get an early start at 7:50am.
The Columbus Marathon is presented by Nationwide and Discount Drug Mart and
supported by WOW! Internet and Cable, ASICS, Delta Airlines and the Ohio
National Guard. This year's race will feature more than 5,000 marathon
runners, walkers and wheelchair racers, 850 relay teams, 1,800 volunteers
and 100,000 spectators.
Runners and walkers can still register for the Columbus Marathon, Columbus
Marathon Relay and Columbus Marathon Ringling Bros. Red Nose Run online at
www.ColumbusMarathon.com (thru Oct. 14), by mailing in the paper
application or in-person at the Columbus Marathon Expo on Friday, Oct. 14
or Saturday, Oct. 15.
For more information, please call (614) 421-RUNN or visit
www.ColumbusMarathon.com .
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