Columbus Marathon routes through Grandview Heights with temporary course change, seeks volunteers

Darris Blackford, race director for the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon, told the Grandview Heights City Council on Sept. 22 that the event will use a revised route through the city for this year’s race to keep runners out of traffic and preserve access for local businesses. "We've made a change this year where the course is going to come south on Grandview Avenue to Third, and then it's going to head east on Third," Blackford said, explaining the adjustment is intended to reduce conflicts near First Avenue and maintain traffic flow for Grandview Avenue restaurants and businesses.

Blackford said the event will include about 15,000 participants overall, including roughly 5,000 marathon entrants, and will pass through Grandview Heights on Sunday, Oct. 19. He noted the marathon partnership has raised approximately $15,000,000 for Nationwide Children's Hospital since 2012. "But I'm really, probably, most proud that we are going to hit $15,000,000 in our support for Children's Hospital since 2012," he said.

The director said organizers worked with the police chief and city staff on the course change and on community outreach. He described a new fan area the organizers hope to brand "Bobcats on Bobcat," coordinated with school athletic staff and hospital patient-champion activities, and said the first runners should reach Grandview around 9 a.m., with the last walkers expected through by about 1 p.m.

Blackford asked for volunteers to staff the route; he said volunteer registration closes on Wednesday, Oct. 15. "Volunteer registration closes ... the October 15," he said. He also invited council members and residents to contact the race office with questions.

Council President Keeler thanked the organizers and noted the event is a long-standing presence in Grandview Heights. The council did not take any formal action on the presentation; Blackford's requests were informational and logistical.